Content Mgt System to look like this...

I have found a site (http://www.garynorth.com) that has just the look and feel I seek.

Are there any systems around that can be customised so it can look like that? They use Membergate but its far too expensive for little old me!

Anything free or inexpensive out there that would suit?

Thanks,

Jon

 

http://joombla.com/ is a great choice. Completely free open source CMS with lots of free and paid plug-ins, depending on your website's needs.

 

I use xoops.org for 2 of my sites. It is free open source as well, works pretty well for me.

 

Is http://www.mamboserver.com the most popular? I checked by the number of posts in the forums. Is mambo the same thing?

Why do they do these things for free? e.g. membergate costs several thousands of pounds!

 

They do it for free because Open Source software is a collective and collaborative engineering/project model that benefits everyone. No one engineer or company needs to create every scrap of code, they work together to create the software, often for little or no money (many reasons for this including gaining experience, political beliefs, a desire to use the software when it's complete, etc.).

When the project is done, it is usually free to use (and the code must be made freely available if done under the most popular Open Source license model, the GPL). In the case of Mambo/Joomla! people and companies involved are expecting to make money from selling support services.

I am not an expert, but that's my understanding.

 

Joomla is further development of Mambo. The correct site address is joomla.com

 

Joomla! is a fork of Mambo, it does not take it's place. Joomla represents most of the original Mambo team, who defected over some weird infighting.

Mambo has regrouped and is starting up redevelopment, but Joomla has the forward inertia going in its favor now.

But they are now seperate, different (though related) projects.

 

Ok, so which should I go for then? Mambo, Joomla or xoops?

Can I completely customise the look of my site and make it visually look like a clone of http://www.garynorth.com?

 

I recommend Joomla. It is the most happening CMS today, and probably tomorrow!
The number of modules, templates and other add-ons available for this CMS are huge.

 

If I use one of these open source CMS packages, do I have to put a link to their site on the bottom? Is it part of the Terms & Conditions?

 

Jon if you want to review the most popular CMSs around then check out opensourceCMS.com -- I recommend checking out PostNuke too. It has a large community and has recently created a non-profit foundation to assure the project continues to grow. I also will say I'm on the board for the PostNuke Software Foundation so I am a bit biased but I've used all the rest and PN is very flexible, easy to theme, etc -- if you have any questions let me know I'd be happy to help.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I am using Joomla now. It is fab!

 

Great to hear -- I'm glad Joomla is working out for you.

 

I Think xoops.org is nice!