You're right, you're right. The VA thing is a bad example. Enterprise software is expensive because big companies make themselves expensive to sell to. And the government is the biggest company of all. I'm sure they spend seven to eight figures on the cruddiest of CRUD apps from companies like Oracle.
On the other hand, something like a basic CRUD app could really help out a charity or non-profit that serves disadvantaged populations, and that could be built in Rails or Django for just a few days of developer time.
Not so sure abotu the charity market. one example back in 2000 I worked on a cheap and cheerful Paperless direct debit so that any Charity could quickly and easily set up a system to take donations.
The trouble was each flipping charity/bank wanted a bespoke version some of the changes required by the banks where absoluty nit picking.
The product had some good press for the Minister but could we get charity's/banks to hold their nose and just use one form! NO
Wonder if any VC in old street/silicon roundabout want to try again I still have few contacts form my days at Poptel
On the other hand, something like a basic CRUD app could really help out a charity or non-profit that serves disadvantaged populations, and that could be built in Rails or Django for just a few days of developer time.