1. Language / Framework * your php programmers should use php: python is a great language but it takes time to learn it, plus a new framework, and to get effici

1. Language / Framework * your php programmers should use php: python is a great language but it takes time to learn it, plus a new framework, and to get efficient and stable takes even more. also, php is not a bad language and zend is not a bad framework. it's neither pretty nor cool or exciting but it works, is fairly efficient and will give you results the fastest with your team. * you should use python: for many other tasks (automation, backup, integration, sysadmin, boto for AWS if you use it) you already know one of the best and fun languages. 2. Cloud or own servers * you can delay this decision (most likely), and try not to start buying stuff :) * this is actually two questions: (i) how much does cloud vs own cost - this is easier, e.g. the AWS calculator can help http://bit.ly/RU8T http://bit.ly/RU8T (ii) what kind of usage patterns will your site have - this is very important, as in case of wildly fluctuating demand or unpredictable scaling requirements you may have to go with the cloud.