MacUser “website in a weekend” feature
I knew when I started this blog that I should go back and check out the feature on CMS that appeared in the UK magazine MacUser something like a year ago. Today I finally did it. Turned out to be published 28 September 2007, and had the curious hook of focusing on building a site in a weekend - despite covering several heavyweight CMS products. In fact it covered many of the systems I am considering. Unfortunately the feature does not seem to be available on the MacUser website.
The feature’s findings can be summarised thus:
- Wordpress 2.2: easy to install, manage and update; considerable flexibility if you use add-ons from vibrant community
- CMS Made Simple 1.1: easy to manage, easily understood data tag system; good docs; small community
- Quick.CMS: flat-file, no database; structured site approach rather than blog-based; no “theme” concept; several versions, one free
- ExpressionEngine 1.6: thorough docs and good support; multiple custom fields and “weblogs” (data tables); almost limitless flexibility; versioning system for templates; built-in image gallery and ecommerce; add-ons include powerful forum and multisite manager; good security; small community because of non-trivial price
- Drupal 5.2: reputed to be powerful but challenging; content housed in “nodes” - not an easy concept; multisite capable; six themes built-in (I get the impression that the author didn’t become very familiar with this system); from feature conclusions: the most powerful and extensible, but the most complicated to use
- Joomla 1.0.11: huge install bundle (11MB); smooth install; good-looking control panel; many modules, including add-on user-created one; few users will stretch its capabilities
- e107 0.7.8: poor docs but good wiki; rough control panel; extra modules few but powerful, eg forums, basic ecommerce, banner management; page development requires fair understanding of PHP
- Movable Type 4: works with several databases, including Oracle; very user-friendly control panel; unlimited blogs; neat file manager; highly customisable; “doesn’t offer the same powerful custom fields as some systems”; easy to create static pages.
Conclusions
“If you want a CMS up and running over a weekend, it’s hard to see beyond WordPress.”
“If we were to pick the ideal CMS for commercial use, we’d have to plump for ExpressionEngine.” Two critical advantages: excellent support and near-limitless flexibility.
Interestingly, these are pretty much my own conclusions, too.
My partner and I simply would like to say that We have realized your blog post exceptionally good! You have got much insight and also information and facts right here which has aided me personally complete our university report!