Framework or CMS?

Recently, have a chance to chat with a friend with robust experience in web development. Modesty aside a late bloomer than me when it comes to programming but he's great in web development. For me, whether you' re ahead or not in any computing technology it doesn't matter so long as can give what were asked from you. After a few chat he brainwashed with using framework instead of existing CMS. Maybe next time he will encourage me to develop my own framework.

On my last post I've tackled most common CMS around. All of them are great in their own way and make them successful based on the needs of their users. Maybe because of someone's review which make it more appealing to them. Day came along when i really need to develop my own CMS, basically i have developed a (maybe) non-secured one which only handles basic contents, displays pictures, list of contacts and etc. but i really don't have an idea regarding CMS's framework. I only knew MVC in Joomla! For a while i give a try on creating Joomla! components but in the middle of studying it i gave up because you have to do some hacking to really satisfy yourself specifically on ACL. Note: There's a component for ACL but it's for commercial. Not Free!

Weeks of researching and beta testing CMS's drupal, joomla, xoops and among others, i realized they don't fit to what i really wanted to have. Honestly, i was half-satisfied with Drupal's vocabulary & taxonomy (content's categorization and sub-categorization). It's cool but how bout giving me the freedom to delegate my own Role-Based Access Control? Please don't be mad at me drupalist. I know there are maybe modules on the corner of Drupal's site but can't hardly find it. But if i code my own component or module then it will be better and easy for me than walking-through their codes. Well, as planned few days ago will developed my own CMS but for the meantime i will be studying frameworks. I will stepped down from CMS to framework.

I know there are battles between CMSes. As a small time developer I can't easily embrace one's CMS's which give me a lot of headache. I can say that i will embrace PHP instead of saying i will embrace Joomla or whatever CMS is that. Now, i will be observing another battle. I will mention on my next post what are those key players in Framework technology.

So, well have a good time next.


MVC - Model View Controller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model-view-controller
RBAC - Role Based Access Control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RBAC
ACL - Access Control List
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Access_control_list

Module - usually a sub-program of a system. (depends on systems using it)
Components-same with modules.

Module in other CMS differs a lot so don't get confused. Joomla! uses modules as sticky blocks on webpages while it's termed as Blocks in Drupal/Xoops and some others.

Joomla or Drupal?

It's another day to me now and it's my second day of studying Drupal CMS/CMF.. It's been a long weekend to me learning the code of Joomla and i still i didn't get what i've been trying to code. Trying this, trying that. Removing this, adding that and everything, posting it Joomla! forums and still didn't get any luck. Anyway, that is our task as open-source system users. But if only API's are well documented then it wouldn't be that hard for us to contribute.

I happened to try other CMS like Xoops and Impress last weekdays and found them the same and honestly i liked them but not enough to satisfy my cravings =). Well, i have here my simple comparison of the CMS i've tried in the past couple of days.

CMS Program : Joomla

Lacking : Content
sub-categorization
GACL like other CMS.

Advantage : Lots of components to use..
Easy to install components, modules and plugins
Organized components and modules at Joomla!'s website.

Comments : Very user friendly
easy to learn&use.
Joomla! core dev
should also focus on
GACL and good content management

www.joomla.org


CMS : Drupal

Lacking default WYSIWG editor

No content approval
or publisher by default
and have to find a module
for your users to access
content administration.

Click & run installation of modules..

Advantage Really good GACL
Good content sub-categorization
Also a CMF.

Comments : Should have at least one WYSIWYG editor on its package.
I believe it's better to have the modules easily installed.

www.drupal.org


CMS : Xoops

Lacking : Good rendering of WYSIWYG

Advantage : News modules


Comments: I've tried to install
FCKeditor but does not
render very well especially on table.

www.xoops.org

CMS: Impress
Same with Xoops..

www.impresscms.org

CMS : Exponentcms

Lacking : Teaser for contents
Workflow policy does not function very well.
GACL like what Xoops and Drupal have.
Does not use CSS
Advantage : Easy to use. You'll enjoy creating pages/sub-pages.

Comments : Good for simple websites.
I've tried to limit users from publishing but still no hope for me.

www.exponentcms.org

Since I have not yet decided which is best for me, let me just summarize everything.

If you want a good content management system with minimal sections and no sub-level categories and very enticing appearance you should try Joomla.

Drupal, Xoops and Impress are very well recommended to those didn't enjoy Joomla!'s content sub-categorization and who didn't like its GACL implementation.

I will recommend Exponentcms to those who want to have a not so complicated website's content.

My next post will be comparison of the CMS above regarding on development of sub-package and templates. I just hope you enjoy what i have here. I know there's a lot of CMS out there and if i'll have more time i'll give a try.

Note: These are just based on my personal experience. Comments are accepted here.

Terms:

GACL - Generic Access Control Lists

CMS - Content Management System
CMF - Content Management Framework