The Open Source CMS That Rocks

07Sep09

Open source is an approach to the design, development, and distribution of software, offering practical accessibility to a software’s source code. Some consider open source as one of various possible design approaches, while others consider it a critical strategic element of their operations [wiki]

There so much open source CMS out there, you may check here, or here. But from this large number of CMSs which is the best by it’s category? Which one is simple to use but usable? Which one is have full support? Choose the better is our aim. We live in a free world (read : open source) so choose the right product is in our hand. Some people said Open Source is nothing without you know how to handle it (well actually that was my own words LOL)Anyway, this list below listed by my own experience using those CMS system, you may disagree or have different opinion, but it’s ok then.  It’s open to debate, just like the principle of open source, “open your mind of anything for anything”.  So if you have another good fact to tell from the list below make my mind open for your idea, just like the open source did. Here we go

Open Source CMS/Portal Based : Jomlaa!

Joomla! is one of the most powerful Open Source Content Management Systems on the planet. It is used all over the world for everything from simple websites to complex corporate applications. Joomla! is easy to install, simple to manage, and reliable. People love Joomla especially on the extendable of web into something that they want.
download ver. 1.5.14 | extendable plugin

Blog : WordPress

Some how I’d like to list textpattern as the great blog based CMS, but the fact that wordpress has widely spread by all blogger is the main key that wordpress is better on extendable plugins and various themes. They also support blogger (like me) to host on, not fight it.
Download ver.2.8.4 | WordPress blog hosting | extendable plugin

Forum : phpBB

I’ve been using phpBB for many years as my forum of choice for various clients, and I don’t intend to change which is a recommendation in itself. However, it is commonly targeted by spammers and hackers, so it is very important to install the security fixes when they become available. So you can’t just install it and think there’s no maintenance other than administering the boards.
Download ver 3.0.5 | Free Modification

eCommerce : Open Cart

Open Cart is awesome. Superb CMS features with simple and usefull to build a eCommerce. There’s few sample theme that you can use instead of default and help you to build your own theme. Sadly the plugin is lack, there’s no ability to add some new code instead of patching the original code :( but I’m quite sure this problem solved by the time version change
Download ver.1.3.2 | try online demo | Themes Constribution

Wiki : DocuWiki

DokuWiki is a standards compliant, simple to use Wiki, mainly aimed at creating documentation of any kind. It is targeted at developer teams, workgroups and small companies. It has a simple but powerful syntax which makes sure the datafiles remain readable outside the Wiki and eases the creation of structured texts. All data is stored in plain text files – no database is required.
download ver.009-02-14b | Free templates | Plugins

eLearning : Moodle

Moodle is both flexible and scalable. It is easy to implement. However, most importantly, it is designed to maximise the educational outcomes of the students. A great product.
Download ver.1.9.5 | Themes | Modules and Plugins

Gallery : Coppermine

Coppermine Photo Gallery is a picture gallery script. Users can upload pictures with a web browser or Windows XP Web Publishing Wizard (thumbnails are created on the fly), add comments, send e-cards, rate pictures and have their own gallery. The admin can manage albums/pictures/comments and batch add pictures that have been uploaded by FTP. Great gallery with very useful modules and features. IMHO this gallery still need to have some cute and professional design template if they don’t want G2 to lead in front.
Download ver.1.4.25 | Free demo | Plugins

Lite Engine : LightNEasy

This is the best tiny little cms that I’ve found after testing nearly hundreds of them. It’s just made for dummies like me. You can modify anything you want, and the best of all: you can even use your own templates! I’m pretty happy with it. The only disadvantage, if you need help: there’s no really support and the user-community is not that big. But nevertheless, it’s a good cms and I can recommend it strongly!
Download ver.3 | Free demo | Plugin and extra themes

Tulisan ini dibuat untuk menyukseskan Lomba Blog Open Source P2I-LIPI dan Seminar Open Source P2I-LIPI 2009.

This Article is being composed concerning the succesful of Open Source Blog Copetition P2I LIPI (Indonesian Institute of Sciences – Research Center of Informatics) and Open Souce Seminar P2I-LIPI 2009

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Tags: cms, coppermine, free cart, joomla, light n easy, moodle, open source, wordpress