The Temptation of WordPress
I knew I was not good with prediction.
So when I posted a month ago about the possibility of changes of the Content Management System for this website, and I said, “And I probably not having a plan on switing in near time or future.” I am deadly wrong.
Yup, you better not make mistakes like me. Prediction, in every bits and words, is hell wrong.
The story is shaped when I got a new toy called iPod Touch, as I’ve posted several days ago. This is a good toy. As good as it get, I now can manages several blogs of mine with the iPod, these all are blogs that run with Wordpress as its back end, with free apps called Wordpress (created by Automattic itself). As far as I experienced, it’s quite good and compact application, tough I had a hang once time, but as far as now it’s good.
The new Wordpress, the latest stable version is currently 2.7, is very very good. Sorry, I do not speak about the speed, benchmark, etc. I am not the good guy, so do not count on me on that matter. But, I speak about how the new user interface, simplicity (as far as I knew), Turbo features with Google gear to speed up load time for static files in WP), easy media uploading and some simple gallery creation, integrated versioning system, and a vast amount of plugins system, and so many more if I can mention it. The top of that, of course, the automatic update of Wordpress and its plugins. So, what can I say, I was really tempted to move to Wordpress for managing this website. Maybe it just about the time.
So, what’s my opinion of Textpattern? As you know, I currently managed this website with it, and I previously campaigning for it :) To me, Textpattern is still the damn simple and yet powerful CMS system I ever know. Really, really simple and customizable. But, simplicity came to some weakness too, as well as the popularity of Wordpress invited to some vulnerabilities if it. So when it comes to CMS, it’s all about choice. The unpopularity of Textpattern is resulted to its few plugins and support of developer base. Sure I can build my own for specific needs, but sometime you don’t have precious time to do that. So, Wordpress is really helps if speaking to find outside customizable solution to enhance your blog.
When you are dealing with some sophisticated customization, and the system should speak in client’s language, the implementation of every single public mass made CMS is not sufficient for very customized website (I knew some high-prices CMS can, but we are not talking about that). Take example, when it need to speak to your client’s language about how to manage their website publication, sometime it will be hard to give them solution as the public made CMS had. I knew you will think custom-field would be good, but it will come a time-consuming task for implementing it, and it is highly difficult to maintain or ever made change in future. In regard to that needs, some custom CMS system is highly needed.
Another example, when you are dealing with simple website, targeted for non-techie users who would operated it, Wordpress is kind of choice. When you dealing with the need for some advanced features included in one bundles, ExpressionEngine may be your solution of choice, as it allows you to get serious support from their company. When budget is limitation, I knew Drupal can be used to your website as it also very customizable and powerful.
I still kept Textpattern for simple, elegant, yet customizable website without the need of fancy features. I think I would be using Textpattern for several of my future project as long as it is used by a techie users, or better used by myself, and the judgment is mainly related to the need of customization. Textpattern for simple path, open source license with liberal permission for commercial use, and without the need for integrated forums, wiki, etc . If the later points is indeed very important, ExpressionEngine is the choice. Or see, if your client is asking about the easy way to update your website via their iPhone, may be it’s only Wordpress or MovableType as the answers. The only thing Textpattern lacking behind other is their weird (but yet, it’s is very simple) interface to handle images, and that is the thing Wordpress won.
So, I repeat again, it’s all about choice. I decided to pick Wordpress as my solution right now. I hope the migration in the near future will be easy.
Wish me luck.
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— franz · 08/01/09 01:29 AM · #
I think its all about what type of site you’re building. If you want a blog, wordpress is great. If you’re building something a little more unique, you might want to shop around.
Check out http://concrete5.org
It’s a “free beer” open source app that is easier for end site owners to use than wordpress, and more flexible than drupal or joomla for site developers. It’s only been free for 6 months, so its still somewhat under the radar but it’s really a pleasure to use..
They even have it setup so you can get your own free demo to play with:
http://concrete5.org/demo