FREE VERSUS PROPRIETARY
Click Here open scholar Then See Video
There are many other network syetems like Open Scholar, that are free. But, you want more than just free, you want total control.
Today many institutions are using these social media or networking tools to create an inhouse system for interaction and collaboration. Most all of these tools work in the same way and many like Open Scholar use Drupal at the core of the systems they provide. The problem with most all of these sites is two fold, you do not completely control your data and the sofware has been modified form the original Drupa code.
The reasons are obvious as to why you should have complete control over data such as your emails, and all other content posted. Less obvious is why you need unmodified original Drupal at the core of the system you use.
Software evolves, in particular Drupal is constantly evolving. If you use a system like Open Scholar, Moodle, or the other Drupal modified systems, when the new evolution of Drupal is launched you will find the the modifications you have been using won't port onto the new system. Database locations will not match and you will have difficulty upgrading your data to the new platform.
In addition it is now possible to run tandem systems on the same data. This means that the people using the network can keep their own data on a local computer like a laptop. This is done by nstalling a local Apache server(free and open source) on your personal computer and then snycrnize data to the main networking site.
What professor would not like to be able to keep personally all the data accumulated over years of service.
The above link is a video demonstration of a modified Drupal core, as you can see it is the exact same software only with some pre-created formats. If you do decide to use such alternatives you should take caution that you can download and use your content on a local PC or other server.
Try to be be assured that the data configuration will run on Drupal core in the event you wish to move form the system and take your data with you. Ideally you would want to use your data on your laptop as well as on the Harvard servers.
As a business professional you may wish to take a further step and keep your data on a proprietary server rather than on one you have limited access to.
I think it is best to use the original Drupal, with its included or core modules as distributed by drupal.org. There are several free versions of Drupal available but they are modified versions of Drupal core. Therefore there may be restrictions in your ability to transfer your content from the server.
Do not keep your data and site on only one server... If you are going to invest time and content into a system, use an independent and transferable system. Keep Drupal on a server connected to the web and also keep the same content and files on a local hard drive or other memory device... this way if one gets nuked you still have the other.
By using only "Drupal core" your data will be assured an easier transition into newer updated modules. Then use Cpanel, to easily move content and sites from one location to the next.
I think that the next move for the internet is finding ways to personally controll the data we generate when we access different sites on the internet. This can also be done in Drupal but is a subject for future development.
In conclusion use Drupal right out of the box, avoid too many changes in its configuration. In the future Drupal can be used inversly as an individual connection point to all other websites and media.