A question about ethics..

[Omphaloskepsis]

A maintain (and created) a few websites for local businesses. Currently they run on PHP and MySQL. I want to switch them over to Ruby on Rails and MySQL. Part of the reasoning is it is easier for me to maintain. Another part is that it harder for them to replace me. Not many people know Ruby on Rails. Do you find this to be ethical dilemma? I would tell them of the switch. I just don't want to inform them of my second reason for the switch.

I guess.. Is obfuscating code really that bad?

[billyskank]

1. Well, speaking as a programmer

I always want to write code that is easy to maintain if I can, even if that does mean they can replace me. I don't hoard information, if someone asks me something I always try to give them the full answer.

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. Using RoR results in better code.

Finding someone who can do anything with it might be much more expensive right now. So that results in me keeping my jobs. And by obfuscating code I meant writing code that folks don't understand (since most are unknowing about RoR). I'm not intentionally naming variables weird shit.

[billyskank]

3. Well, if you're going to use it because it's genuinely better

then that's ok. If you were doing it just to protect your ass then that wouldn't be.

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. It is much better.. It can shave 75%..

off the time to roll out a database driven site. It is really awesome. I made a app with RoR that used less then 90 lines of code. Same thing with PHP used about 400.

[skoppa]

4. I might sound like a heartless bastard....

...but I don't really see anything wrong with going through with it.

[Omphaloskepsis]

6. Keep in mind..

I'm not raising prices. I'm just looking to make my maintenance easier. And preventing others from taking my job by using obscure tech.

I'm moving and wish to maintain my local contracts. This is leverage.

[skoppa]

7. Exactly...

as long as your not screwing your clients I see no problem with providing yourself with a little security.

[Omphaloskepsis]

8. If we are wrong I will buy you dinner in hell.

[skoppa]

9. I hope that will include a tall cold beer!!

:toast:

[Omphaloskepsis]

10. BIg, Tall, Powerful, We can drink like we are in Prague..

The best place on earth. Sorry, Sacramento.. Prague is better.