Which CMS should I use?

Hi,

I need some help here from you guys. I've been given an assignment to build a website using html. However the are requirement that I have to follow.

She want the website can be edited easily without touching the code everytime she want to update the content. But the problem is, there are no mySQL or any database. I've been looking for open source CMS but most of it require the user to create a database.

Do you have any suggestion which software/program I should use to tackle this problem?

 

Solutions for this is limited, but you may want to try:http://www.web-app.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi

It uses flat files and no database is required(perl).

Otherwise, go with a host like zyrmic.

 

Write a flat file manipulation class in PHP and mimic the api of a database such as MySQL.

 

Use Wordpress. Its open source, easy to develop plus has constent updates and cool plugins for everything

 

Thanks Rodder7, i'll figure out how it works.

Guys, its an assignment from my lecturer to update her personal webpages on university website. They do not provide any database such as mySQL for personal website pages. However my lecturer want me come out with something that she can update her content easily without touching the html code since she really dont know anything about html etc.

 

Wordpress is just the simplest and most user-friendly. I love Wordpress.

 

I like wordpress to. simple , easy and there are a lot of free plugin to support this cms.

 

most hosting companies provide you with some sort of database access....you will need it if your going to use a simple CMS.....it can be done without a database, however makes your research a little more difficult

 

try http cms.rodadewa.net

 

Quick question - by CMS, are you referring to a system requiring user authentication?

I'd have strong security concerns about using a CMS that has people logging in that wasn't backed by a database at least for the purposes of housing user data.

For example, the eFiction (efiction.org) script uses data tables to house user data and keep track of the various user documents. The actual content itself is stored as separate files on the server. Though eFiction is not a CMS in the traditional sense, it is nonetheless an example of a system that uses data tables for tracking data while keeping actual content in pure file form.

Another example is Website Baker. This CMS has user authentication tables and allows the creation of separate files for content that are stored on the server (though with the PHP extension).

I'm curious - why the need for a system that doesn't use ANY data tables?

 

Wordpress should do what you want

 

WordPress hands down, it has everything you want.

 

Tell her to get used to wordpress. Its not that hard. haha

 

But WP needs a Database...

The Op doesn't have access to a database...

 

The OP said there are NO databases - not the same as not having the ability to create one. Also, there is no such thing as a true CMS that doesn't use a database. The question is type of db (i.e. flat-file, MYSQL, MSSQL, Oracle, etc.).

The OP's client sounds like someone I worked three years or so ago - a self-described "techno-pagan". Many times those new to the concept of a CMS are scared of databases. The solution I selected in that case, Website Baker, does indeed use a database (MYSQL). HOWEVER, the selling point was that the client DID NOT have to touch the db to handle her content. Kind of a "set it and forget it" situation. All this time, hardly ever a problem and she is STILL extremely happy with the solution.

This may be a case of client education. I personally will not provide a solution I don't believe in, and try everything to get someone to understand an issue in greater depth. For example, the database situation - I explained it in such a way my "techo-pagan" got it and became VERY comfortable. Limiting oneself to "flat file" only really cuts down on the number of good CMS options that are available, not to mention security concerns regarding data and future growth capabilities of the site itself (though the user may not really care about this). More discussion with the client would be needed to really understand the "what" and "why" of his or her solution choices.

Nevertheless, here are some flat-file CMS options that I found. None of them appear nearly as good as WordPress, Website Baker, or CMS Made Simple, but at least they look viable:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/arboroiancms/ (now rebranded LotusCMS)
http://www.razorcms.co.uk/ (RazorCMS)
http://www.freeguppy.org/?lng=en (FreeGuppy, French but with a separate English site)
http://opensolution.org/index,pl.html?sLang=en (QuickCMS, another foreign language site with an English site. According to the author, the developers has been around since 2003. Hotscripts listed has QuickCMS since 2006).

Just do a search on Hotscripts.com, Opensourcecms.com ( or even Sourceforge.net) for "flat file CMS" and you'll find even more stuff.

 

Another list I know...

CMSimple
Simple PHP Blog

It's good for small website, but doesn't seems good for bigger website...

 

well try this can't get easier then this cms 1024cms.org

 

I use textpattern, it's open source, easy to make different blogs within a blog and there are thousands of extensions availble. You can even get it to post your articles to twitter as soon as you write them.
My website with textpattern "www.family-guy-world.com"

 

Joomla or WP, should do the trick.
Their are many others too.

 

Hi guys.. thanks a lot for your help. I might persuade her to use wp I think. Since its easy and i'm familiar with it. Anyways I appreciate all your help... thanks again