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Open Source CMS

Do I need a good working knowledge of PHP/MySQL?

         

Doodlz

4:27 pm on Jun 7, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I'm a web designer new to using a CMS. My only familiarity is with a WordPress blog. I know HTML and CSS, and am wondering if I need a good working knowledge of PHP and MySQL in order to use any of the open source CMS's on future clients' sites. Is it a good idea to know PHP? Or just hire a programmer if I have problems?

jatar_k

5:37 pm on Jun 7, 2006 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Administrator 10+ Year Member



Welcome to WebmasterWorld Doodlz,

I don't think you need to know php/mysql to work most CMS interfaces. Familiarity with the various interfaces would be more valuable. I know php/mysql but I can't make a lot of those things work. :)

Doodlz

4:43 pm on Jun 8, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Thanks for responding. So I should just go to opensourcecms.com for instance and familiarize myself with the different interfaces? Then eventually decide which one suits my needs?

coopster

6:25 pm on Jun 11, 2006 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Administrator 10+ Year Member



Kind of like buying a car I guess. You certainly don't need to know how to tune an engine or repair it when it breaks if you can take it to a mechanic. Just expect to pay for maintenance and repairs if you aren't ready or willing to do so yourself.

As far as which is best for you? Yes, I believe you have answered your own question -- I can tell you that the brown station wagon is what works best, but you might feel it is the red sportscar. You need to make that decision ;)

Doodlz

4:37 pm on Jun 12, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Thanks!

ergophobe

1:04 am on Jun 17, 2006 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member Top Contributors Of The Month



But if you want a really tricked out rod, you'd better know how to use a wrench. There's time to learn that after you learn to drive though.

Doodlz

6:38 pm on Jun 17, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Yeah, I figure I test out the different interfaces, get familiar with them, then learn the programming languages.

meetzah

6:50 pm on Jun 17, 2006 (gmt 0)



you can try PHP Nuke CMS. You have a large comunity that will answer all your questions.

Doodlz

3:43 pm on Jun 19, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



Yeah, thanks. I've also heard Drupal and Joomla are the best. Seems like Joomla is a bit easier to start out with, though it has problems.

GrendelKhan TSU

2:30 am on Jun 22, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



I know lots of people that use just a simple blog technology, like Wordpress, as there homepage and cms quite effectively.

10 times easier getting started up... 95% of what you will end up needing/using from drupal and joomla (both of which I've used and both are great).

simple, especially for a first time, is always best. you will be overwhemled with other stuff at this point.

my 2cents.

Mistra

6:24 am on Jun 22, 2006 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



If you want to modify some features it would be beneficial to know basic stuffs about php & MySQL. Knowing HTML and CSS is good enough to modify the templates of the CMS.