Content Management for Beginners

[tengoldenrules]

I've got a client that wants to be able to update their static HTML site without have to know HTML. Off hand, I'm thinking Wordpress might work for what he's looking to do, but figured I'd ask around and make sure that there wasn't a better solution.

Note: the solution would have to be very newbie friendly because he knows absolutely nothing.

[eelixduppy]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, tengoldenrules!

There is a nice compilation of open-source content management systems at [opensourcecms.com...] . Pretty much all CMS's are user friendly; now you just have to find one that you like the best. If you like Wordpress, then go with it. Otherwise, try some other solutions; they each have demos available online.

Good luck! :)

[shri]

Good part about wordpress is that you can use some of the Windows based "offline blogging" tools to provide a pretty and user friendly front end for end users.

[Turbulence]

One more vote for WordPress - in my opinion the best for just beginning content managers. My recommendation is Version 2.1 - what is has to offer is integrated spell check and auto save, enhanced content management options, and a range of other newly-added improvements.

[richrf]

Hi,

I've been using Wordpress for a few months now. It was relatively easy to setup and get going. I was hacked very early on, and my database was deleted. I made some changes to the file structures and so far it has been O.K. Because I do get quite a lot of spam, I like Wordpress's Bad Behavior, Akismet (built-in), and Spam Karma plugins.

The architecture's template structure makes it relatively flexible within the confines of the overall WordPress architecture (most Wordpress homepages look more or less the same), which I am rapidly growing out of. So I am looking at more flexible architectures right now, but there seems to be a definite cost in time and money when moving into other CMSs that I have been looking at.

The documentation is scattered about, and you have to make time to read it and understand it. The forum support is moderately responsive. I have seen much better in other forums such as Joomla. But for a starting blog, I believe Wordpress is the place to be, just make sure you pay proper attention to security and spam control, if the site will be visible.
Rich