If you're not reading this though RSS you might have noticed the CodePlex logo has replaced the SourceForge logo. This makes sense, as the ViNull Siding project is now hosted at CodePlex. Why? Well the main reason is I really don't fit in at SourceForge. SF is a champion of Open Source, and while my project is just as Open Source (BSD-style) as the next guy's, Microsoft is highly involved and they are not so Open Source. Well, they are becoming more open every day, but there is a history here. So I'm joining "my kind" at CodePlex: Microsoft's open source project hosting web site.
There are some advantages at CodePlex for the .NET developer:
- Team Server - this is a Visual SourceSafe on steroids. Source control plus bug/task tracker all in your IDE. Check in against an open ticket, or open a ticket within the IDE. Also, updates within the IDE update the project website, and vice versa.
- Clean project site - SF is cluttered, and personally I find the navigation awkward. Ads also cloud up a projects page on SF.
- Wiki pages - No, I've not gone insane; I still think wiki is a four letter word. The features of a Wiki, like the ability of a custom homepage and adding additional pages as needed, I do like.
- Project tagging - no more old school "find the category that doesn't quite match your project", instead tag it Web 2.0 Style!
It's not all roses, there are a few features I'll miss:
- Source code browser - I liked sending people direct links to a file in source code (complete with colorized syntax)
- RSS Feeds - SF had more RSS feeds, whereas CodePlex aggregates everything to one feed. One feed is nice for an RSS reader, but separate feeds are better when integrating them into your website.
- Project statistics - Yes, many times SF's stats were down or wrong, but I liked having more than the basics.
