How difficult is Joomla, Drupal, or phpFox for someone with no experience ?

I mean no experience in this stuff.
Ive done your basic HTML personal page/photo gallery... but thats about it.

I know nothing of PHP and CSS, databases, etc...

Do these programs let you just install and run right off the bat ?
Do i need to know how to code in PHP to do small stuff like incorporating a premade layout ?

Thanks for the help ahead of time.

 

I've used Joomla. For running Joomla or for that matter any CMS you dont really need an PHP, but if you intend to modify things, then you'll be needing CSS and PHP.

About running and installing layouts, no you dont need PHP., but for modifying a layout you need it.

 

So if you pay someone to modify a layout/template for me, then i can just slide that layout in without PHP knowledge... is what you are saying ?
If so, then im hoping its that simple.



Thanks for the response.

 

When it's running its easy. But setting it up can take time ... especially if you want to do something particular.

Have you made some kind of specification? Post it here, and people can give you answers.

 

Joomla is very straightforward, so long as you know all your FTP & MYSQL details you can't really go wrong. And if you do you just start all over again

 

joomla is pretty esy and simple to get goin, i would high recommend using it as it made my life alot easier and can whip sites up in no time

 

joomla its pretty simple , but if you dont have some experience in this kind of sofware it gets kind of complicated.

 

i use joomla... and very impress.. install, add some extension to make more better, and done... if you have any doubt or problem with joomla just go ask at their forum.. there will be some one to help..

design for joomla can be get free... a lot of template can get...

1st off all, download joomla software and manual.. important! read the manual...

 

If you can modify a wordpress layout/theme, you can surely do this one. It requires pretty basic HTML and CSS knowledge. Otherwise, yes pay someone to modify the theme for you, and you can install it without much trouble.

 

you look like me i dont know anythink too. no html, no programming, no design but i can make what i want with joomla. install& start. that's all for joomla. it has a great admin panel. you will not believe your eyes when you see its admin panel

 

lets put it this way:
blog = wordpress
fast and easy cms = joomla ( fast with 3d party cache plug in )
full blown professional website with endless possibilities = drupal

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just check what you need and choose. if its not for a blog and you don't know css or php - get joomla, free template and thats it = you got a good looking easy to manage cms website. Get yourself template customization for some $$ and you are ready to launch a nice web project that will also look very good

 

Hi,

I was in your position about six months ago. I do have 30 years of professional data processing experience but little in way of HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL. But I do understand a good architecture when I see one.

The problem with many of the packages that are available, is that you can really get completely lost and feel totally helpless when things go wrong. It may be possible to get something going quickly, but the ongoing maintenance can make the whole experience feel like a real pain.

My advice would be this:

1) If you are totally inexperienced with setting up a website, you may want to start by using wordpress.com, which requires absolutely not web development experience or knowlege.

2) As you develop expertise, and desire to extend your website beyond the basics, you may want to consider migrating to your own Wordpress installed website. There are many, many things to consider before you go this route, so don't take it likely.

3) Should Wordpress end up being insuffcient, then look at products like ExpressionEngine and Joomla. But only if you are thinking about using the web to make money and you need added extensibility.

Bottom line: Managing, maintaining, developing a website is no small effort, so minimize your time and costs until you understand all that you are getting into.

Hope this helps,
Rich

 

The thing about Joomla is... it's not that easy... but it is easier by a magnitude of 100x than everything else that can do the same things it can (or better things). If you are looking for easy joomla is the way to go.

 

if you something about html,php stuffs you can do,its not necessary you must code,you must know to search and copy and paste in right positions,sosos.

i just do copy and paste with all these and i'm doing good.

 

Im probably at that level myself.
Just copy and paste, copy and paste.
Im sure that pretty much guarantees much sloppiness.... but what can i do ?

 

This makes sense. I have experience with Dreamweaver, vbulletin/phpbb, php shopping cart and link management software, and have the job of building a new site with a wider specification. It needs to support news feeds, multiple contributors, layers of approval, a user forum, and its own directory. If the site is successful, it will get large.

1. Is Drupal right for this application? Or should I use Dreamweaver again.
2. Is the Drupal forum OK, or should I still use vbulletin? It works.
3. What is the right software package to create and manage a directory. It will be made up of serious links (not junk link exchange) from related organizations -- both user submitted and entered by the organization itself.

Thanks for the input.
FB

 

just install joomla and components lol it hase components and modules 1k + so u get almost everything

 

Well Joomla is probably next.
I tried the 7 day demo of PHPCow and hated it.

Either PHPFox or Joomla will be next.
Or maybe Subdreamer

 

I was blown away with Joomla when I 1st used it. Joomla 1.5 from a developer perspective is the next level.

Go with Joomla you wont have no regrets.