Hi Michael,
OpenACS will help if:
- You are developing a community based site
- You have a need that has already an OpenACS module. You need bboard functionality... OpenACS has it and a bunch more.
- You need to snag data from sql. Using Aolserver + Tcl + sql drivers are a lot easier than JDBC. I still find aolserver to be easy and superior when interfacing with a SQL based server.
So I think your chances of OpenACS helping you with your current development lies in item #3. But then Java platform offers or pushes you to OO which may result into more time to design. This may make your web app better designed. OpenACS is based on Tcl which has lower learning curve and you get productive in a matter of hours. Java on the other hand is the reverse it has high learning curve and you can reap the rewards only after when you have made a lot of classes already.
I hope this is some good input so you can make your decision.
