[untog]

Unlike most development environments, Bowery requires an internet connection.

And I'm out.

So, this seems like a sort of Google App Engine, but running on Node? BoweryDB and the Cache sound just like what App Engine provides - except that the App Engine also runs on my local dev box.

The problem with this (and the App Engine) is that it's totally locked in. Your database is proprietary, your middleware is proprietary... at least App Engine is backed by Google. What happens when you guys go bust? There's no way I can use a platform like this without knowing I have an open fallback out there somewhere.

[plorkyeran]

AppEngine's lockin is significantly overstated. AppScale exists and works well.

[trimbo]

Do you know of any sites/services that are using AppScale in production and what their volume is? (I googled for "powered by" and found nothing)

[idProQuo]

Last I heard Udacity is powered by App Engine. There was an interview about it with the CEO at the end of the Web Development course, and he seemed pretty pleased with it.