I have been learning how to use Joomla today and yesterday. But for some reason it feels like I am cheating when I use it. It creates search forms and contact form for me at the click of a button. This is very convenient but I like to learn programming. Is it acceptable in the industry for a profressional designer to use such systems such as Joomla? I would hate to think I know how to design sites only to apply for a job and find that "automatic web building" isn't good enough!
I agree that joomla make things very easy. But what really matters (especially for the client) is the result. You could learn how to make forms or menus etc but the result would be the same. It feels better for sure, but time is money my friend. After all, joomla is just a CMS, cant do anything so easily, needs work and studing for advanced development. ...also ... why would some invest the wheel again nowdays ?
This is very true I think I just need to try and not be complacent eg just because Joomla does code for me. I should not be happy with that and I should still read into the inner workings of PHP in my spare time.
I can comfort you that it can get moore complicated, believe me! But it´s easy to build good looking websites in a few hours.
Yes I agree but if you looking for a coding challenge then you can start trying to develop your own Joomla extensions or if you prefer on design then you can try to develop your own Joomla template and that will be a good traffic for your site if you then release it for free...
To answer your question it is perfectly acceptable for professional designer to offer sites using Joomla. If the customer wants a dynamic site and great looks, Joomla is one of the best tools to use. Your other option is to code it yourself. Why remake the wheel ?
Not that simple, man! Tto build an unique site, you have a lot of work to do inside joomla. A good template, and finding out the right position for modules and component to show up! I started to use joomla from May 2008 and I had the same idea as you have now, but I drop that idea now! In another word, what you are confused about is showing why joomla is popular recently.
cheating no my friend... Joomla team tries to make your job easier by providing you the latest software with you can create a website in 10 min without any design or programming background...
customize everything. You can get the basic code for modules and components, but the art comes in when you start customizing the code. Not cheating, just a head start.
It's not cheating, it's makes our job simpler and easier also. When you learn deeper how to create component, module and plugin then you will need the same web programming skill like when you programmed it yourself without Joomla. Joomla is the best CMS for me and it has help me a lot as website developer.
A basic installation of Joomla is simple and quick. Once you get into all the different templates, components, modules and plugins that are available and changing daily you will feel your worth! It is a daily challenge to keep up to all the changes and teaching your clients how to use the system will likely be rewarding too. No its not cheating, its the future.
Well, there is also the coding part of Joomla. Write your own modules and extension...try that and see how it goes. Joomla is helpful, but it can not be considered as cheating..since in my opinion it takes a lot of practice and work to create a great looking website!
From an affiliates perspective I love it. Like someone said above, you can make beautiful websites in a matter of hours. I made a website this last weekend in 7 hours and started making money 2 hours after that. It's great once you know how to use it. That being said...I'm trying to teach my brother the back-end and for someone that doesn't know much about design...its a complete nightmare!
I live, eat and drink Joomla. Learning Joomla is a lifetime experience, there is always something to learn ranging from Joomla administration, templates and extensions development to web technologies.
Building complex components for Joomla is not easy, and writing it correctly can be painful, there s a lot to learn about Joomla