ASP or PHP: MiddleWare Input

For several years I've been using Cold Fusion to create web based database
applictions. I really like it, but have found that many small businesses do
not want to pay for the license fee. Alternatively, many also do not want
to change ISPs to one that provides Cold Fusion (Example, many office
building providers now provide web hosting services for their tenants as
part of "the deal").

So know I am looking at ASP or PHP. [I am assuming that you get ASP free
with any windows server. Please correct me if I am wrong].

I have the following questions to this group:

- Do you know of a side-by-side comparison of the two of these that
  outlines the pros and cons of each.

- There are about 10 times the amount of books in the book store
  on ASP over PHP. This leads me to believe that ASP is used much more
  extensively, and because it is not freeware, much more acceptable
  as a middleware component (true or false).

- When learning cold fusion I used the CF development kit by
  Ben Forte. What I REALLY, REALLY liked about it was the readability.
  Some techno books I end up having to read the same paragraph
  3 times, and sometimes a 4th out loud with feeling because although
  they may be technically accurate, they are dry as the sahara to read.
  Do you have REALLY, REALLY good book and online tutorial recommendations.

Thanks in advance for your careful consideration of my questions.

Regards,
Melanie


Second Street Web Design
http://www.second-street.com

HWG hwg-techniques mailing list archives, maintained by Webmasters @ IWA