Anyone used a free CMS program

[ebook]

Hi,

I am mainly a print based designer trying to get into print, and have designed a couple of sites in dreamweaver (design view). I have recently been reading a lot about open source CMS software, such as drupal, does anyone know how easy this is too use (with little HTML Knowledge).

What I really want to try something like drupal out on first is a personal site where web visitors can add their input to the site eg. a jokes section, where web visitors can add their favourite jokes. Please can anyone tell me of a package (Drupal?) that could do this relatively easily?

Many thanks

[TheBluePanda]

Using a CMS may be challenging if you don't know HTML. I am familiar with Mambo/Joomla, and there was a decent learning curve involved. I'm not familiar with drupal. However, it seems like something as simple as a Shoutbox can do what you're looking for. Integrating an entire CMS may be overkill for this purpose.

[chris_bcn]

Try expression engine. The core version is free and the learning curve isn't that steep

[superlativ]

Hey, you should test several systems before you select one.


Go to www.opensourcecms.com (http://www.opensourcecms.com)

Here you can test all GPL licenced systems (both admin backend and the the look and feel of the site)

Once you find one you're comfortable with, download and install it. Most of these scripts have a web-based installer interface.

When it comes to customizing the look and feel, you really should just download a template and edit the photos to your liking. If you're not familiar with HTML/PHP, there's not really all that much you can do.

If you're serious about a joke site, http://www.scriptdemo.com/details.php?prod=phpjokesite is a good core to start with, even though it doesn't look much.