Joomla vs Wordpress

Discussion in 'Joomla and other Content Management Systems (CMS)' started by Ohiosweetie, Apr 4, 2008.

Page 1 of 3

  1. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I started out my designs site with a html homepage. I recently decided to get a bit "fancier" - actually I'm looking for more professional. I downloaded Wordpress as I'm more familiar with it (I have 2 blogs). I found a theme I liked, totally re-designed it and I have it up now. I'm not happy with my design tho, so it's still a work in progress.

    Then Chris comes along and tells me about Joomla, I set one up, and go about seeing what I can do with it. I have to say, it's a much steeper learning curve than WP. All things take time to learn true, and each has their pros 'n' cons.

    Wordpress is pretty much write and publish, whether a post or a page.
    Joomla, you have to set up Sections, then Categories to go in the sections, then write an article and put it in the category. whew!

    With Wordpress, you have widgets for the side columns. The widgets are pretty much drag 'n' drop, and with the text widgets, you can place just about any content at all in the side columns.
    With Joomla, you have to set up your modules first, then make your menu, or feed, or whatever, and place it in the module, then figure out where you want the module to be.

    There's more, but I'll leave that there.

    Now Joomla definitely has some positives over WP -

    Many Joomla templates are designed with blocks (or modules) for ads, slideshows for your images, and lots more. IF you can figure out where they are once you get in the admin CP, you're doing great.

    Joomla has rss feeds built in that all go onto their own feeds page.
    Joomla has a built in weblinks page. This comes in really handy, as I was going to use it to link to my custom clients, and give a brief description of what I did on their site.
    Joomla has a plugin to show your forum stats on your homepage. Love it!

    So my take is -

    WP wins for ease of use.
    Joomla wins for features.

    Unfortunately, Joomla seems to be over my head, so for now, I'm sticking with WP :image24:
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 4, 2008
    #1

  2. cybrnetico

    Message Count:
    1,277
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ohiosweetie you're a smart cookie. Keep at it with Joomla on your spare time and you be a pro soon enough :)
    cybrnetico, Apr 5, 2008
    #2

  3. Borpean

    Message Count:
    906
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes. Joomla is a challenge. So many features. Just depends on how big the site will be. Good stuff ohiosweetie thanks for sharing

    Check out this site: Template builder http://joomlatemplatebuilder.com/
    Borpean, Apr 5, 2008
    #3

  4. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    YES I am, which is why it made me so mad that I couldn't get it, lol.



    NO WAY can it be that easy!!!!!

    THIS I'm gonna have to try. Thanks Borpean!:image04-1:
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 5, 2008
    #4

  5. laughingbird

    Message Count:
    3,511
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    Joomla vs. Wordpress vs. regular HTML

    Peggy (Ohiosweetie)... learn Joomla! You'll catch on quick. You know so much already about building vBulletin themes.

    Learn how to make your own templates with the Joomla TemplateBuilder ... and then start a new area of your site: Joomla Themes by Design! :)
    You'll be rolling in the dough! This Joomla thing is catching like wildfire.

    It's taken me 4 months or so to learn Joomla. It was really tough at first (I'm an old school HTML/Dreamweaver fanatic). I built up and tore down so many sites trying to learn it all. But once it clicks, ...it clicks!

    And once it clicks, you don't want to go back to the old way of making sites.

    I've finally finished my first official Joomla site.
    http://www.thebusinesscardcreator.com

    (check out the difference from the old HTML-built site: http://www.cicreator.com)

    Joomla is SO powerful, and easy to change once you get the hang of it.
    laughingbird, Apr 5, 2008
    #5

  6. Chris

    Message Count:
    3,368
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Male
    Hiya Peggy. Very nice post you made.

    You know my thoughts on Joomla. :D I love it. I know it does take time to learn and I have been lucky and picked up on it pretty quick. You know you have friends that will help you learn it or answer questions if need be. I think you should have been able to pick it up quick. You are very good with templates and designing. Just be patient and it will come to you. Which ever route you go, I know it will turn out great. You always do great work.

    As always holler at me if you need any help.
    Chris, Apr 5, 2008
    #6

  7. MasterDesign

    Message Count:
    997
    Trophy Points:
    0
    MDsign™

    [IMG]
    MasterDesign, Apr 5, 2008
    #7

  8. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ROFLMAO!! Good one MD, and so true! Especially the one about Bill Gates, lol.

    Yep I do know you love Joomla, and I probably will too - if I ever get the hang of it.

    Exactly!!! That's what makes it so maddening, lol. I SHOULD have been able to, by now.

    Perhaps I just picked the wrong time to try to learn it what with just having surgery, and trying to learn it through the fog of antibiotics and Vicodin.

    I'll try again, I'm sure.
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 5, 2008
    #8

  9. MasterDesign

    Message Count:
    997
    Trophy Points:
    0
    mmmmm.....Vicodin
    (homervoice)
    MasterDesign, Apr 5, 2008
    #9

  10. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    hahaha EXACTLY!
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 5, 2008
    #10

  11. OldenGray

    Message Count:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    Need some help with Joomla

    O.K., I'm curious about Joomla! I went to the site and read a bit about Joomla, and I would really like to try building a test site with the software, but I'm not sure about what to do after I download it to my computer. Do I open and configure the software on my hard-drive? I'm not sure. Also, I noticed that the Joomla Template Builder has an *.xpi file extension that my Windows based computer will not open. According to the documentation, an xpi installer file comes with Firefox or Mozilla, two browsers that I don't use. So, what are the steps to get started building websites with Joomla. It looks interesting, but I just need some help getting underway. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
    Olden

    P.S. I have also looked into Ektron. Anyone have any experience with this CMS?
    OldenGray, Apr 6, 2008
    #11

  12. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I've never heard of Ektron.

    Do you have cPanel with your hosting? If so, you can install Joomla from there.
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 6, 2008
    #12

  13. Chris

    Message Count:
    3,368
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Male
    If you do not have cpanel then you have to setup a new database and then create a directory for your joomla, unless you plan on using the root directory. You then download and unzip the Joomla program. Next just upload all the files to the directory you setup for Joomla. Next just go to www.yourdomain.com/installation/install.php and follow the directions that come up on the screen to install. Pretty simple really. Good luck and let me know if you need any help.
    Chris, Apr 6, 2008
    #13

  14. OldenGray

    Message Count:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    If I'm understanding you, I will need to install Joomla in the root directory of every site I own before I undertake to develop the Joomla site. Is this correct? I noticed that iPower has an install program already set up for Joomla, but they are asking for a fee to set it up, in addition to what I already pay. Besides, the Jooma edition they have is 1.0 and isn't there already 1.5 available? I appreciate your help. Thanks again.
    Olden
    OldenGray, Apr 6, 2008
    #14

  15. Chris

    Message Count:
    3,368
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Gender:
    Male
    You only need install Joomla on the site you want to use Joomla on. Not every site you own. Unless you want Joomla on every site you own. You would then do a new/separate installation for each site.

    Yes I use Joomla 1.5 and love it. I can not say that I would pay someone to setup Joomla for you. I know we can help you get it going without paying them to do it.

    I would recommend using a site you already have and make a test directory. Something like www.site.com/test and have the Joomla 1.5 installed there. You can then play and learn the ins and outs of Joomla. Once you fill comfortable with it then install it on the root directory of the site you plan on using it on and take off.
    Chris, Apr 6, 2008
    #15

  16. Ohiosweetie

    Message Count:
    143
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Once I get my forum re-designed with my new theme, I do believe that I will give Joomla another shot.

    Hopefully I'll be finished with the Vicodin by then, lol
    Ohiosweetie, Apr 6, 2008
    #16

  17. OldenGray

    Message Count:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    Chris, Thank you for the excellent information. This should get me started.
    Olden
    OldenGray, Apr 6, 2008
    #17

  18. homesight <img src="images/ranks/mod.png" />

    Message Count:
    529
    Trophy Points:
    0
    If it all goes bad, holler at me and i'll just install it for you... It's not very easy, and you have to change some of the default scripting, and the .sql files.

    I think i've only installed about 30 Joomla sites for people... then their was the 50 times it took me to get it right on my own server. Plus it's not a bad way to earn a few extra bucks and meet some extraordinary contacts...

    But for the record---> JOOMLA ROCKS!!! So many options, everything you can do in a regular html /css site, you can do in a joomla template site... Import your own HTML, change the css code, insert flash, the list goes on & on...

    Ryan.
    homesight, Apr 6, 2008
    #18

  19. OldenGray

    Message Count:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    I was wondering about the possibility of using flash in a Joomla! site. Would you have any URLs of a Joomla! site with flash so that I can see how it looks? If it appears to be too complex for me to install, I will certainly take you up on your offer. PM me with your cost estimate. Thanks
    Olden
    OldenGray, Apr 7, 2008
    #19

  20. MasterDesign

    Message Count:
    997
    Trophy Points:
    0
    MasterDesign, Apr 7, 2008
    #20
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page