Hashrocket: For $30,000 they'll build your web app in three days.

That is actually the problem with many companies. The programmers are not the ones that decide which language to use. They're forced to use Java or .NET because the higher-ups want them to.

Why would you try and limit the productivity of a programming team by forcing them to use tools they may not like or tools that are weak.

I see _some_ merit about complaints about iffy low resolution handling, but the design is good.

This is a very dangerous way of thinking. You should judge people by more than "X says ..." . There are any number of competent people who think Obie is mostly blowing smoke and leaching off rails's popularity.

Obie essentially gave Zed a job when he needed one. You will never catch Zed say Obie isn't cool after that.

If you know someone at Thoughtworks, where people actually worked with him (and from where Obie left under a cloud ), talk to them to get a different opinion.

of course, the best way to judge someone is to look at their code/work with them for a while than "X says Y". You can get people saying anything about other people if you look hard enough. I wouldn't want to bet my company (or 30,000 $ for that matter) on such flimsy evidence.

And even if Zed really means it when he says "Obie is cool" , that doesn't make it right for your to bet your company on him. Quotes are no substitute for doing your own research.