I became aware of DotNetNuke a little over a year ago.  I really liked it the moment I heard about what it was.  It seemed to be the kind of tool that really suits me.  I think I may have a different way of looking at things than other programmers.  I started working with computers back in 1980.  I had studied mathematics in college and was a Structural Designer at an engineering company.  The company was doing some finite element analysis (FEA).  The computer we were using was a mainframe that they timeshared on from Boeing.  We were building a three dimensional model of a dam.  The dam was described by many small cubes.  Each cube was defined by it 8 corners with 3 dimensional coordinates.  So we had many many numbers to get into the computer.  I was chosen to input the numbers due to my most outstanding attribute.  I was the cheapest person in the office.

Later I worked with an Apple IIe, IBM PC XT, and other early PC’s.  I got to experience really cool new software programs like Lotus 123 and dBase II.  We were able to accomplish many things with the scripting and programming available with those systems.  Those were exciting times.  They were powerful tools with great flexibility.  They allowed us to construct applications that were completely customized to our needs.  My schooling in mathematics was starting to pay off especially when we started writing applications to actually draw CAD drawings with languages like Rapid (a forth like language that was part of a CAD program Design Graphics) and AutoLISP (part of AutoCAD).  These languages we flexible and powerful. 

DotNetNuke has those same capabilities.  DNN is this hugely flexible system with the power to do anything.   It is perfect for me.  It makes it possible to create web applications that are explicitly designed to fit the users’ needs and I don’t need to do everything.  I can buy modules that I need or make my own.  But wait there’s more.  These applications can be built to allow the people who are responsible for the content of the website to be the ones who input and edit that content.   These content people are the key to a successful website.  Many small sites have died because the “programmer” website guy built the site for someone and now to update it they have to hire him back or find another or possible learn HTML XML, CSS, FrontPage, Dreamweaver or whatever it is written in.  Do we want the marketing guy writing HTML or press releases?  If we do it right then each person involved can stay in their area of expertise.  That makes me smile.  I can implement a site that becomes a powerful tool in the hand of people who are trying to accomplish their goals.   It’s Brillnat!!!