Hi there! I am really new to all of this, in fact today I just got my server up and I am ready to start getting my site all ready. The problem is that I don't know which CMS is better for a complete and total noob. I am planning on getting VBulletin for my forums and saw that they had a CMS, but I wasn't sure how easy it would be for me. Now with my CPanel, it has the following CMS:

Drupal
Geeklog
Joomla
Mambo OpenSource
php WCMS
php website
Siteframe
Typo3

I will be putting together a family/parenting site that has tons of articles, blogs, games, and of course the message boards, etc. I would like to make this easy for my members to get around, it's hard for me to explain because I don't know all of this well enough...sorry.

So can anyone help? I would really appreciate it! Thanks!!

I'd whittle those down to 3, just based on personal experience: Joomla, Typo3 and Drupal. You'll want to visit the websites for the individual packages and have a look at the features and some of the documentation, and some of the sample sites.

A look at opensourcecms.com and cmsmatrix.com will also let you do some comparisons, and perhaps offer some other options as well.

Thanks for replying NyteOwl. I'm going to check them out now..

I like mambo the most. Here's an example of a site that uses mambo http://www.cookingavenue.com/main/

check out http://www.opensourcecms.com

www.nelogic.com
NePHP enterprise is the best!

I use etomite for some weeks. I also use Nuke. I think it's better to download some scripts and test them locally.

I use joomla for all my new sites these days

I'm going to put in a word for e107. I think its clean, and very customizable.


Best of luck.

Out of that list, Joomla is the best.

textpattern.com is also good. I use it for part of my site.

textpattern.com is also good. I use it for part of my site.

that's pretty neat!

Depends on your needs, really. There is no such thing as "the best". The systems are different, behave differently, and are suited for different kind of websites. Some features may be really good, while other are nonexistent. Also, it depends on your skill level and technical requirements of the website. If you have really busy website, hacked-together-PHP-wonder-of-the-day may not be enough.

I found Mambo/Joomla to be really hard to configure, unless you want to make a ... Mambo/Joomla site. Dunno how to describe it, but the kind of site their templates look like. Preformatted neat little boxes and all that.

I also gave up on Drupal. It seems like a really hardcore CMS, but it's certainly not the easiest thing or obvious on the first look. As it should not be. Many Drupal sites make heavy use of the "taxonomy" feature, I think. If you're aiming for something like that, Drupal may be the way to go.

I've settled for a PHP script called MODx CMS (http://modxcms.com/). It's a fork of Etomite project that was mentioned. They had couple of features that made them better than Eto in my eyes, but the two are (still) pretty similar. I've found MODx pretty straightforward to use, but that's partially because of my history with an other system that had somewhat similar structures. I'd say that MODx/Etomite are good for "normal websites" that are quite small and have reasonable amount of pages.

Check them at http://www.opensourcecms.com

i am trying to make it possible to create my whole site in dreamweaver and allow clients to edit the pages online. is this possible?

i am trying to make it possible to create my whole site in dreamweaver and allow clients to edit the pages online. is this possible?


Its possible but you would have to give your users access to things that are best kept off limits. We use a similar setup currently for our website. Enables easy modifications directly through a user-friendly interface. However, it also runs through MySQL and we have to access that sometimes to change a few things.

I use Etomite here http://www.iroxy.ca Not finsihed but all the pages are through the cms.

i am trying to make it possible to create my whole site in dreamweaver and allow clients to edit the pages online. is this possible?

Sure, with MODx and probably most other systems as well. You probably need to create a template, save the pages in the CMS and set up some sort of access rules. I'm can't speak for all the CMS' out there, but atleast MODx/Etomite allow giving access to some parts of the system. If you want the users to be able to edit just the pages, you can do that. I would not want the average user to start configuring the site...

The tricky part is deciding what CMS to use, and then become talented enough to actually get the site up and running. :)

if you're going to want your users to be able to have access to parts of the admin area then you're going to want to go with one which has great permissional based access...

that being the case, I'd suggest testing out Geeklog... I haven't checked yet to see which version Fantastico is installing... If it's still installing 1.3.xx versions then you'd be better off self installing version 1.4...

The problems you'll face with Geeklog:
1. more than likely you'll have to either create or have created your own theme.
2. Smaller userbase than Nuke, Mambo/Joombla, drupal, etc...
3. not as many plugins...

Advantages of GL...
1. To my knowledge is the most secure of any of the other CMS's... this might be in part due to the fact that it isn't as popular...
2. To my knowledge the best of the bunch in being able to tailor content to specific individuals... (awesome permission settings... very similar to the way Unix works)
3. Has the most popular plugins and those are rock solid... (can also integrate databases with phpBB and Gallery, which is nice since you only have to login once instead of logging into each db seperatlly.)

JMO... also FYI: I use dreamweaver to format most of the code for GL sites...

I used to use mambo CMS for my site, but in last week, I converted to Joomla 1.0.7.

you are welcome to take a look at my site which has been online for 13 months here: http://www.Everything-Chinese.com

tried them all and would recommend Mambo OpenSource without a doubt. Fantastic system and easy to modify and use - beleive me it is also the best looking too :)

Do any of the CMS have an option to generate static HTML for better search engine optimization? Also, what about providing RSS xml feeds?

Do any of the CMS have an option to generate static HTML for better search engine optimization? Also, what about providing RSS xml feeds?

there is RSS and XML feeds already.

tried them all and would recommend Mambo OpenSource without a doubt. Fantastic system and easy to modify and use - beleive me it is also the best looking too :)

How did you try every CMS out there?

Drupal
Geeklog
Joomla
Mambo OpenSource
php WCMS
php website
Siteframe
Typo3



Eh, did I say that I had 'used all of them' or did I say that I had used ALL the ones asked about? I think the latter?
Regards

tried them all and would recommend Mambo OpenSource without a doubt. Fantastic system and easy to modify and use - beleive me it is also the best looking too :)
Are you talking about the administrative interface that users don't even see? "Best looking" site depends on the template you're using. Unless I'm mistaken, Mambo/Joomla really is easy to use in a sense that you get some results fast. But do the research - it may or may not fit your needs.

Now that I started pimping for MODx: it's pretty easy to approach and start using. Just install the "example site" and hack away. :) For search engines (and aesthetic URL lovers), MODx provides friendly URLs and URL paths. There is also the possibility to export site to HTML files.

Are you talking about the administrative interface that users don't even see? "Best looking" site depends on the template you're using. Unless I'm mistaken, Mambo/Joomla really is easy to use in a sense that you get some results fast. But do the research - it may or may not fit your needs.

Now that I started pimping for MODx: it's pretty easy to approach and start using. Just install the "example site" and hack away. :) For search engines (and aesthetic URL lovers), MODx provides friendly URLs and URL paths. There is also the possibility to export site to HTML files.


You are of course correct, the administration of a Mambo site is almost intuitive and loading templates etc simple. I do not belive that MODx is in the Fantastico suite so not mentioned. It would be reasonably easy to load though.

I have used only Mambo and Nuke ( no available on your list ), both are worth checking.

Now that I started pimping for MODx: it's pretty easy to approach and start using. Just install the "example site" and hack away. :) For search engines (and aesthetic URL lovers), MODx provides friendly URLs and URL paths. There is also the possibility to export site to HTML files.

Does MODx use intelligent naming conventions for the generated static HTML or a generic naming convention? Let's say for example, I have a page about exotic cars. Is it possible for MODx to spit out a page name such as "exotic_cars.html" or does it use a generic naming convention such as "page1.html"?

Does MODx use intelligent naming conventions for the generated static HTML or a generic naming convention? Let's say for example, I have a page about exotic cars. Is it possible for MODx to spit out a page name such as "exotic_cars.html" or does it use a generic naming convention such as "page1.html"?

I'm not 100% sure about the static HTML, but would expect the names to be the same. You can have "page alias" that is essentially the "file name". Also the latter ([prefix][id_here].html) style is possible.

I'm not 100% sure about the static HTML, but would expect the names to be the same. You can have "page alias" that is essentially the "file name". Also the latter ([prefix][id_here].html) style is possible.

That sounds pretty cool. I will definitely have to take a serious look at it. Thanks for the insight.

I agree, I was looking into this, and was wondering what kind of CMS i should get. The info here is good.

thanks.

i have tried nearly all of the big CMS systems out there over the years and my highest recommendation is for the e107 Website System. (http://www.e107org)

They have just released the new version (which I haven't used yet) but there is a massive community of skinners and modders out there and the CMS itself is stable and secure.

Just my humble opinion.

That TextPattern seems good...

TextPattern really is. You should try it.

I was saying in another post how I thought I'd need something else, but really. TP does the job. You can literally do anything you want with it.

you should check out EzPublish over at Ez.no - great CMS!

I use Mambo/Joomla for 99% of my clients. WordPress is great for blog based / basic websites. Drupal admin end is a complete mess IMHO. Mambo/Joomla have great addons (Components/Modules/Mambots).

Tried them all! By far the best and most flexible CMS is ezPublish. But you need a dedicated server and put in serious time to get your head around it. Once you see the light, you won't go back to any other CMS.

Hi there! I am really new to all of this, in fact today I just got my server up and I am ready to start getting my site all ready. The problem is that I don't know which CMS is better for a complete and total noob.
After recent experience with people in the same boat as yourself, I would have to say, "Take a serious look at e107".

I know it wasn't on the list you mentioned but maybe your Hoster does provide it. Along with ease of use/learning, it has some really nice features I haven't seen in too many other CMS.

Many Modules such as; Forum, Calendar, Chat box, Whose Online, etc.
Custom Modules can be created very easily.
Many Themes available to choose from with more being created.
The Menu layout can pretty much, be exactly the way you want.

Try the demo at opensourcecms (http://www.opensourcecms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=133) and login as Admin. Speed 15 - 30 minutes playing around with it and I'm sure you'll see how much progress you can make.

I'd suggest Joomla, it is really good for beginners, and even better for experts. Has an in-built wysiwyg.

I use it for my website, and I really enjoy it.

I've tried all of the CMS you suggested.
And for a beginner I'd suggest Joomla.
I's suggest Joomla anyway.
If you don't want Joomla, use Drupal.

Joomla is the best it is VERY easy to customise.

How is Drupal compared to ezPublish?

İf you have vbulletin forum you can use mkportal with it very easily.

Check this:

http://www.mkportal.it

It can integrates with SMF, VB, IPB and phpBB.

Thanks for all of the replies. I am sorry, I forgot about this thread, I actually went ahead and got the VBAdvance cmps...so far so good ;)

Suggestion. Just check out the CMS' own website and judge the quality for yourself. Compare e107, Mambo/Joomla and all these other modular cookie cutter systems to ezpublish. There shouldn't be any doubt that nothing holds a candle to ez. The flexiblity comes at a complexity trade-off. But in terms of best CMS, there's nothing better in the open source community.

^ I've tried those mentioned & I guess it's because I'm more advanced, but I prefer Joomla over ezpublish anyday.

mumbo is great

ive been using Joomla,

you can edit the CSS and HTML through the Admin Panel,
unlike PHP-Nuke and such.

Yeah, Joomla! all the way.. shame about the lack of decent free
templates.

There shouldn't be any doubt that nothing holds a candle to ez. The flexiblity comes at a complexity trade-off. But in terms of best CMS, there's nothing better in the open source community.
"The best" is usually a very subjective thing.

I don't mean that ez is a poor system - I wouldn't know, I haven't really tested it. You know, used it for atleast one website project. I wouldn't call less than that "testing a CMS". Just that "this is the best" attitude gets to my nerves. For many people, Joomla IS the best. Some dig Drupal, e107, TextPattern... For me, it's MODx.

The right tool for the job etc. eZ Publish looks a bit heavy to use on a average website, but most others don't claim to be "enterprise ready". It's up to you to pick your poison. :)

Sorry, a useless rant. :)

I suggest you try the demos first:

http://opensourcecms.com

Well, our company reviewed many different open-source CMS implementations (most that are mentioned in this discussion). Honestly, they are all well-built and feature-rich. However, we ended up developing our own system in-house which fits best with the broad range of clientele we service (a crazy mixture of industries). It allowed us to break free of the usual web design mold, whether it be structural, functional, or in terms of appearance. Fast, friendly, flexible and simple are, in my experience, the best qualities in a CMS that allow a web development company to please its clients. Our programmers would probably prefer to manage their own sites with PHPmyAdmin [laugh] or hard-coded HTML, but clients need something targeted towards the end-user. If you have the resources, this could be another option.

Fast, friendly, flexible and simple are, in my experience, the best qualities in a CMS that allow a web development company to please its clients. ... clients need something targeted towards the end-user.
I had to deliver a very simple and understandable solution, and I reviewed a dozen and a half different systems. I almost ended up building my own cms, when I ran accross CMSMadeSimple (cmsmadesimple.org), and it was exactly what I needed. It gave the simplicity no one else did, and it gave the power that would take me months or years to implement. It is fast, friendly, flexible, and truly simple. If your customer hits the admin panel, he will immediately know where to go. This is what all other systems lack.

Well, our company reviewed many different open-source CMS implementations (most that are mentioned in this discussion). Honestly, they are all well-built and feature-rich. However, we ended up developing our own system in-house which fits best with the broad range of clientele we service (a crazy mixture of industries).

got a price estimate how much it would cost to make a customized CMS from scratch? :) We're currently using joomla, and we're very happy with it - but as our website is getting larger we have to think bigger - hence a fully customized CMS!

Use Limbo.

it's a Lite Mambo.

Limbo started before Joomla.

Well we use the Storyteller CMS (esselbach.com). It's not open source but very good. I would not recommend Joomlar or others for the simple reason, that they always have security bugs. We have used the Storyteller CMS for over 3 years and never had a problem.

got a price estimate how much it would cost to make a customized CMS from scratch? :) We're currently using joomla, and we're very happy with it - but as our website is getting larger we have to think bigger - hence a fully customized CMS!

Probably in the thousands range. I just recently had one developed and it would easily surpass the 2-3 thousand range with the # of hours put into it.

postnuke is ok

I wouldn't touch any of the nuke sites, but that's just me.

Hey Jovigirl,

Did you ever use Mambo? I'm wondering if Joomla is better, or just a newer version?

thanks :)


I use joomla for all my new sites these days

Joomla split off from the Miro Mambo group. It's the original devs and they plan on keeping it open source, where some feel Mambo might start charging money. Debates linger about it. Most extensions (components/ modules), templates that were made for Mambo work with Joomla for the time being.

Nuke sites all look a like... cluncky interface.

I'd go with Joomla any day. And like WHT, it has a great community... My 2cents

Nuke sites all look a like... cluncky interface.

Somebody that says such things never tryied cpgnuke from www.cpgnuke.com (http://www.cpgnuke.com) and this is really sad, cause it has no "cluncky interface", its not slow, its not unsercure, its has a really good templates system and you can setup / install it within minutes ... the best part is its as easy to use as to install ... so please try it and tell me if you still prefer joomla

>cpgnuke - big to small websites, especially if they need a good usermanagement towards the whole site, a communtiy forum based on phpbb, a community image gallery (users can create own imegae galleries and upload stuff), a community blogging system and a lot more
>drupal for groups that wanna manage a website together and put some stuff online, not the best to manage huge amounts of data, news, images, files ...
>joomla for small websites that need to publish some news from time to time, not the best for community websites