From my experience technology is a big factor, but not ultimate. Ultimate factor is community around particular project. I truly believe Drupal community at thi

From my experience technology is a big factor, but not ultimate. Ultimate factor is community around particular project. I truly believe Drupal community at this point is just right mix of following standrds and being focused on innovating in the same time. Whenever you custom code - you loose this huge leverage otherwise you could have by re-using existing UI/code/architecture (where architecture might be first and most important in the list.) Anyway, I truly wish you luck with you project, but I would advise not to drop any particular technology just for sake of dropping it. (I am not PHP fan, I am Drupal and Drupal community fan)