I was thinking about a client I've been working with and his willingness to use third party tools so that he can get the  job done faster. I know there was a time when I was one of those people who felt she had to write every line of code herself. There are still many developers and even entire shops that are hard-liners about only using whatever is in the Visual Studio and SQL Server boxes.

Silly silly silly.

This client was already using Developer Express controls in his new Windows Forms application. I tend not to be strictly aligned with a particular vendor because I want to be familiar with the various options. I have a Frankenstein application that has Infragistics, DevExpress, XCeed and Janus controls in it! I have another app that I used telerik controls in.

Since I began working with this client he has happily adopted Red Gate tools (and is using a number of them already), LINQPad (free, but a meager $25 to add in the Intellisense-like feature which he did) and Instant VB. He's on a mission and doesn't want to waste time doing things that are quickly and easily done with these tools. I also checked to be sure that he is aware of TechSmith's SnagIt & Camtasia tools. His reply was "we couldn't live without them."

Ignoring 3rd party tools is not just a matter of being "penny wise and pound foolish." A lot of devs/shops are fearful of using stuff that is not built in. I can understand if you were looking at free stuff on the downloads sites. But there are so many awesome tools that have serious development companies behind them that it is hard to deny the huge value of leveraging the great work they have already done.