Tools for a startup - Part 1

One of the guys asked me when I was developing geekevaluation as to why I chose java.
I told him because I chose java because I know java.
Even if there was something which was better ,I would not develop the application in a new language or platform because I want to work on my business plan , not learning new skill.
There is your first tool
1. Start your product development with the tools and technology you are comfortable with. Remember the idea here is to get a product which should validate your business idea, not your technical skills.

I also prefer Java because the power it gives in terms of open source. There are so many tools , servers , IDE free of cost to help you get started.
What a beautiful thing software development is .
Can you imagine where you can start your business by not spending a penny ?

2. Source control options

I would imagine that you are a bunch of guys who are working together at different locations.
You could also have outsourced project to some small company and now you want to manage source code where all of you could do check in/chek out

I looked around a couple of one
a) CVS dude is a popular options these days
iF you prefer to use SVN over CVS
A) code spaces
b) unfuddle is also a good choice.

For me was to keep the cost at minimum so I looked at code spaces and unfuddle.
Had some issues with code spaces repository when working with eclipse after 6-8 months so then went for unfuddle.

3. Online meetings
Another important tool to hold weekly meetings
I am using dimdim for now which is free for 5 users. Very happy with the quality so far.
another tool suggested by one of the friends was
Mikogo

I will cover hosting options in next post