Need help choosing a CMS for a project

Need help choosing a suitable CMS for a project

[smee00]

Hello members,
I am looking for some advice on CMS systems that I can customise. I have looked at various systems, but it all seems confusing, I know if I start off with the right basics like server OS, DB, and CMS, then I will invest my time better not having to go back to square one.

Could anyone recommend a suitable starting point/CMS for this project:?

I would like to create a community site with a forum & gallery, these should integrate seamlessly into one website so that I can use, all content anywhere in the website. (no forum.site.com or gallery.site.com)

The site should be able to manage a large community. I will use shared server, later transfer to a dedicated server when it funds itself. Proper/ efficient use of server resources. Not sure about database or server. Also a good system of storing, thumb nailing, watermarking images. It should be fast and partly automated, when someone uploads an image.

Each user should be able to manage their profile, add pictures to their gallery and folders. Create simple content pages. ect. All content must be approved by admin before publication. Approved profiles will be displayed until new content is approved.
I would like to publish news and articles. I would also like certain members to be able to post articles as well (privileges). I would also like to set the content for each page, e.g. different navigation menus, content, different header picture, ect.

The website should be able to accommodate paid membership for different products and services, different memberships can view different features and content. I would also like to integrate product links from partner sites or affiliates, so that they can be displayed on a random or predefined manner as links or images with or without descriptions.

Other things that I would like to integrate into the site: calendar for events, display new members, who viewed me, display highlighted members, mailings, an instant chat messaging system (video)? And browser independent!, internal e-mail user the ability to manage the inbox, mail notifications. Content management by age(passport check). My favourite people with comments, Invite friends + friends will be displayed in the user's profile, Link to us, affiliates program, support centre.

The most important part of the site will be the possibility of finding people through the search function. I would like to search for users, based upon their profile content. Different parts of the content like Events, directory, services by location will use a separate search. URL’s should be SEO friendly.

I guess you guys will laugh, but I somehow want to achieve this, even if I have to add features step by step. Is there any suitable CMS platform that I can start off with? I have some knowledge of PHP, HTML, C++, Java script.
I have no Idea about security though, these site hacks scare me! And I need to find a safe system that discourages hacking, and lessens exploits, I would be willing to consider open source, and commercial, the modification is very important.

Can anyone recommend a starting point?

[rogerd]

Joomla (and the related Mambo) seem to have the biggest developer community, and Drupal seems quite popular as well.

If you want to do detailed feature comparisons, check out cmsmatrix.org - there's data for dozens and dozens of CMS setups. If you narrow it down to one or two, though, I'd suggest verifying all data at the software developer's own site.

[smee00]

Thanks, The cms matrix is where I got lost to be honest, I started to look at some of them, and it was quite hard to work out which ones were the best to customize.
I tried mambo years ago, and it was good, the only problem is EXPLOITS.
Some of the components are ok, but somehow the ones I tried all had the navigation within the component, not really a tidy solution.
I have read some of the Library posts here, and many people say Drupal, or a custom CMS.
I think I just need a base to work from, one Library post recommends modding a CMS or stripping it of unnecessary functions, then start building. It also warns about SEO incompatibility.

I guess I will be thinking of both solutions, Custom and CMS modding. God knows what a good coder would charge for a custom site, I thought if I could get something up and running, I could consider later if the Project would take off as a community.

Thanks, I will have a look at Drupal

[vsurlan]

In terms of flexibility TYPO3 is almost unmatched. I've used nothing else to be honest, cause at my level of skill I feel I can do anything with it. It does take a huge learning effort to get it right though. If you are not in a hurry I recommend you take a good look at it.

[smee00]

@vsurlan

Typo3, I agree that the learning curve is steep, I had a go with a Typo install over 5 years ago. To be honest I had forgotten that it was out there!
What I like about Typo3 is that I never hear of hacks or exploits!
I will look at that too, I guess there are enough coders that can implement what I want, if I do not manage the coding.
It could work out cheaper than starting from scratch with a custom CMS base.

Thanks Nick

[smee00]

I have been doing research since the last post, has anyone tried

Expression Engine?

[rogerd]

>>What I like about Typo3 is that I never hear of hacks or exploits!

The hackers are probably still trying to figure it out, too. :) Typo3 does have a reputation for unmatched versatility and power, but a brutal learning curve.

[yannis]

Try Drupal it has a great community for support and is ideal for what you are looking for.

[smee00]

I have decided to install typo3 and expression engine on a local PC based web server.
I will also look at Drupal, I just need some time to see what the best choice is for me.

What I do not want is to have to code from scratch, and having a system that seamlessly integrates a forum and gallery would be cool.
Dose anyone know if this is possible with typo3?

Thanks

[smee00]

Hi again

I have decided to give Typo3 a whirl, as I am in no hurry to get something online, I can spend some time getting to know the system. I have ordered the The official TYPO3 book so that I can start off on a structured manor.

I have also seen that there are so many Forum support groups, and as I can speak and write German I should be at an advantage in understanding both UK and German sites.

The system offers flexibility, and when I can understand the Typo3 system, I can then go onto some more projects that will bring in residual income.

Many thanks

[smee00]

I wish to thank every one for the help.

Without this forum I would not have tried typo3, I guess like most people I would have been scared off again.

What got me hooked was just playing with the system, then I saw two videos from Video2Brain (German) and it really explained what mistakes I made while playing around, and also how to make a template and configure it, step by step.
The system is fantastic, I love the way it manages content and layout, I am scared of becoming lazy lol.

Well now I am hooked and now I have found the ext: kick starter, I feel confident that I can create an extension knowing that I have a framework.

IS flexforms something that I will need? or should I know about any other extensions to help me program?

Now I am going to eat my way through the Typo3 enterprise management book.

Thanks a lot folks

[rogerd]

Glad you found the input helpful, smee00. (I hope you agree in a few months! :))

If nobody here has input on the forms question, you might want to check with one of the dedicated Typo3 forums. Good luck, and keep us posted on how things are going.