i don't really think this is a concern at all. you could probably ask the same thing about any other technology. but when something's open source, with this many people invested in it, it's not going to disappear overnight.

What if Adobe folds?
What if Apple folds?

More importantly, you will have to upgrade your web site no matter what.

You will have to change the design.
You will have to re-organize the pages.

Both Mac and Windows, you will have to buy new computer every 1-5 years. You will have to get used to new software every 1-5 years.



So I stopped thinking about this.

Again... if you start thinking about this, think about if Apple or Adobe...



And your client may tell you that they are big company.

Well, then... tell them to look at Toyota and GM.

I feel that the real gravity of that question mostly hinges on how well the system works as it is today, and whether it is designed for growth.

I feel that Concrete is very solid, though it is still growing, which is good. Even if something were to happen to the core team today, the system is still a great architecture, and is open to being extended and improved.

I briefly mentioned in my previous post.... but....

I think we are talking about 10-year span.



If you have a long-term project (like 10 years) web site, you ended up upgrading the site (and most likely from the scratch).

I kept renewing my company's web site 4 times since 1999. And I ended up tossing all my web assets every time I renew my web site.

Whether you keep using the same software, or new software. You want to change.

10 years ago, the only "cool" web site was Flash.

Now, I don't like flash because it doesn't really work well with mobile device (not only iPhone).

So I try to use AJAX over Flash these days.

And you now have numerous number of libraries such as jQuery or mootools.

But in order to implement these new tech, I ended up creating a new site from the scratch.

Right now, little Windows 95 software run on Windows 7 without software upgrade.

So you will have to change no matter what.



I have never kept using a same cell phone for over 10 years, or PC.



What I am trying to say is...

Like when Apple decided make a switch from Motorola to Intel chip, although it was same Mac, we all had to upgrade our hardware and software.

So whether concrete5 folds or keep moving forwards, to certain point, we will have to go through major work.


But, I have a good feeling about concrete5 because we have a strong business model = marketplace. So I don't think we will fold for a while.

I think the real question is this:
If the company folds - will our sites still work properly.

There is some integration in the marketplace in the dashboard/admin. Other than that - the code is open source, PHP. You can very easily hire, or depending on your skill set, maintain the code on your own.
You would have to think of it as a homegrown CMS at that point - you become the owner.

If Adobe goes out of business - my install of CS4 will still work. I can still edit PSD's, I can still edit video. What I can't do is expect new features, because the code isn't available. That's the difference.

So if C5 is gone in 10 years - there is no reason why my CMS would stop working. But - I'd have to come up with a plan - continue to maintain the code internally, or create a migration plan to a new CMS.

c5 is strong and growing strong.

Plus it was a hit at sxsw!

All of my clients are blown away by c5 and absolutely love it!



Cheers,

Thomas

Finally the owner of the question responds, that would be me. I wasn't getting the thread in my gmail account, oops, sorry for the delay. My client took my word for what I see as a promising future for concrete5. This has become my main CMS, and once I send her this thread, she will be double-sold. Thank you for all of the responses and reassurance.