Content Management System’s are great if you know what you are doing. There are many choices but I would like to focus on three major CMS that are currently hosted on our servers, Drupal, Joomla and Typo3. Chances are, you are using a CMS when accessing your school website, company or any blog.
The use of CMS for websites in the Solomon Islands picked up earlier this year but the capability to host them was available since 2005. When I first joined the company we were only offering static websites and those designed in MS Frontpage. We have come a long way since then.
Yesterday was a special time for the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, CBSI, as they successfully collaborated with Our Telekom to upgrade their website using a new version of Typo3. The upgrade was completed within 3 hours.
The CBSI website was designed and implemented by George Dennis. A graduate of the University of the South Pacific in 2007, George was able to use his experience working with Typo3 at the university to build the current CBSI website. George and I have collaborated on a few upgrades in the past but yesterday’s upgrade was major and the fact that it happened without any major glitch was perhaps most satisfying. You can view the latest CBSI look here. To date CBSI is the only organization hosting with us that uses Typo3.
Drupal has by far the highest number of sites. This is largely due to the fact that any website that I put my hands on have a way of turning into Drupal sites. This includes Our Telekom, Taj Mahal Restaurant, Lifhaus, Agnes Lodge, Betikama Adventist College and the Solomon Islands National Parliament. The SI National Parliament website was created in Drupal by Gordon Denty, another former USP graduate, who also created the Maravagi Resort website. Upcoming Drupal websites to look out for is the Honiara Hotel and the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet.
Joomla has had its share of the market too. The first known deployment of Joomla was Gizo Yacht Club and then an Australian developer created Zipolo Habu Resort. Mark Dennis is now advancing the use of Joomla by working on the DSE website and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce.
I don’t like to say one CMS is better than the other. However, it must be said that each CMS will have its own strength and weaknesses. I prefer Drupal because after using all of the three, I honestly feel it is a CMS that has met my expectations and in my opinion has the potential to allow growth.
What I look for in a Content Management System. Here are my 3 most common reasons
1. It is easy to install and use. Obviously the best out of the three I have mentioned is Joomla. Drupal has made this task easier and Typo3 does a decent job.
2. It is extensible. This is probably the reason why Drupal has surpassed the rest. Of course, each of the mentioned CMS have modules that extend their basic functionality but I believe Drupal’s elegant modular design makes it every developer’s dream. I am sure a Joomla or Typo3 enthusiast will say the same about their CMS but believe me, my experience tells me Drupal is an excellent choice in this regard.
3. User/Developer Community. This is an important consideration. The level of interactivity that exists and resources that is available from users and developers is important as it will provide you the chance to learn, find answers and share your experiences too. All three CMS mentioned here each have great communities and people who are more than willing to assist.
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Thanks Lynnold, keep ’em coming.
Yet another intereting post.
Looks like I’m gonna have to review my lecture notes on Content Management Systems, and do more research on it.