Creating a community website - what software to use?

[sodani]

Hi, I'm creating a community website, and I want the following features:
- members are able to write reviews
- members are able to post classified ads (I'd like to be able to charge money for this)
- ability in the future to create groups within the community.

Can anyone suggest a content management system (CMS) or other off-the-shelf solution? Drupal springs to mind, but then I don't have a lot of experience with these kinds of builds.

Thanks!

[buksida]

I would say try Joomla, don't have much experience with it myself but it looks like an awesome CMS.

[Komodo_Tale]

Joomla 1.0.8
JoomlaBoard 1.1.2
Joomlapolis Community Builder

JoomlaSpan Google Adsense Module
MOS Link Exchange

The top three is all you need
The bottom two are great additions

[Oldiesmann]

I don't really recommend Joomlaboard as it leaves a lot to be desired - they're not even using it on the official site...

[paulanthony]

Community Server
Dot Net Nuke...

both asp.net offerings.

[Casethejoint]

Drupal would fit the bill, as you suggest; a little time spent with the handbooks would get you past most of the hiccups, and in most cases installing modules is a cinch.

Drupal, or CivicSpace (a Drupal release for grassroots organising) as the base CMS

Useful modules:

- Organic Groups (a terrific module)
- Review
- Expanded Profiles

That should achieve your aim.

[maccas]

If you don't mind paying you could have a look at photopost as they also have a review and classified ads script. They intergrate with all the main forums, so you could you the forums groups system.

[sodani]

Okay, thank you for the suggestions. I think I'm gonna go with drupal - just need to get a classifieds plugin/module built...

[Casethejoint]

Might be worth putting out a bounty on it - a classified module seems to be a popular request.

[sodani]

Yeah, I intend on it. Seems like other people are interested as well. I'm willing to put up $150. We'll see.