Complete Websites: WordPress, Drupal, and Other Content Management Systems
If you want a website that you can update without knowing how to write code, WordPress is exceptionally easy to install and use, and there are hundreds of contributed themes which can be used as-is or customized to give your website its own look and feel. They aren’t kidding when they talk about their famous 5-minute installation - the basic package really is that easy for most people who already know how to connect to their web server and upload files to get up and running. But the basic package doesn’t create a very nice looking site; most people will want to install or create a custom theme, add their own graphics, etc. And the administrative controls are limited; it usually works best for sites that will be updated by a limited number of people you can trust not to post inappropriate content.
If you want a website that lots of other users can add content to, Drupal may be a better choice, but it does require more time to learn how to use, and more ongoing maintenance. The basic package is more complicated to install than WordPress and the add-on modules can be bewildering (install them incorrectly, or install one that conflicts with others and your site may go down). However, this complexity lets you add more features than you can with a WordPress site.
PioneerValley.info was a Drupal-based site for most of 2008 and 2009 but I converted it to WordPress in December 2009. I found the overhead required to properly maintain a Drupal-based site was more than I had time for, and the bells and whistles I could add with WordPress were more than enough.
Both packages are free, have good track records, and are in wide use. I can integrate WordPress into a new or existing site and provide theme customization. Basic Drupal installation and theme customization services are also available. I do not offer services at this time for Joomla or other CMS's, or support for most add-on modules for WordPress or Drupal (there are literally hundreds of possible add-ons, many with poorly written code, and only a limited amount of time to learn how they work!).
- Forms and Interactive Scripts
- Complete Websites: WordPress and Drupal
- Beyond Websites: Custom Database Systems