CMS . . . where to start?

content management systems . . .

[stationarytraveller]

I would like to offer CMS features on my web sites (like posting news, and content). The only thing is, i'm only fluent in HTML, CSS, and a little VB. I figured i'de start by trying to install newspro. But that doesn't seem to want to work at all. Basically i'm asking, where do i start? cgi? perl? . . . i'm lost, what should i learn to get started?

[encyclo]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, stationarytraveller. There are a million pre-written CMS systems out there - some free, others which cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you're looking to try some out, then you should look at the free options first. Most of these are written in PHP (eg. Mambo Server), Perl (eg. Slashcode) or Python (eg. Zope/Plone), but you don't need much if any knowledge of these languages to use them - usually, you can edit the templates and the rest is catered for.

It is difficult to recommend a particular CMS without knowing your specific needs (however, for a general portal site, I like Mambo Server).

You might want to check out [opensourcecms.com...] where you can put to the test a variety of CMS systems, then download the ones you like.

[stationarytraveller]

well for now, i'm looking for easy news posting management so that web site users can post news rather than having me update the site. After i'm comfortable with that i'de like to get in to full content management. Nothing to big as i havn't even really had real clients yet. But something that will allow posting of content through forms.

[bunltd]

Hi stationarytraveller, and welcome to Webmasterworld...

I use WebGUI by PlainBlack on a number of sites. It's written in Perl and uses MySQL - and has very friendly urls via use of mod_rewrite, plus one installation can server multiple sites. You can then set-up your web site users to be able to post content (articles, faqs, items or whatever - you decide what they'll have access to)

The software is a free download, but support costs - they also have a manual that is available for purchase (well worth the $) and active forums...

Hope this helps.

LisaB

[zulufox]

MamboServer.com

"Wizard" style installation, completely free, just won Linux award...