1. what kind of controls are you looking for?
2. GUI controls are actually some of the most difficult objects to create because they are designed for human interaction. finding quality web controls for free will be slim.
3. it's all just html in the end. instead of controlling presentation from the server; control it on the client. js libraries are OSS (jquery, prototype, mootools, dojo) and have a very rich set of features to customize the HTML DOM. this would require you to customize the code, but it is possible and easier with one of these libraries.
4. invest in a quality suite of web controls from any of the major vendors. If you don't have a budget currently find a way to convince the proper people that spending the money on a control suite now will save money in the long run.
make sure you include concrete reasons. ROI usually is the bottom line. example:
Spending $ now for the Acme Inc. suite of GUI controls will pay off in [X] days/months because building this in house will require [Y] man hours of our time @ a rate of $/hr.
Building this control in house will also delay the project because we are spending time creating GUI elements rather than delivering business solutions.
Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.
faq855-7190