BTW, website baker has the same link system, minus the static files. If you open sourced this CMS, sold plugins for cash, I think you could have a serious rival to even Joomla in terms of users. People just like the word “easy”.

By the way, I’ll beta test for sure. looks good.

Josh, Oklahoma

I like the feature. I think a good CMS should support something like this. Nice job.

Btw, i like the video’s a lot. I am currently working on my own CMS so i might lend an idea or two.

To tell you the truth, I am not only working with Joomla! I’ve deployed Cutenews in many “less demanding” projects that I needed to develop fast (check out this site for example).

I find your way of thinking very interesting, concerning the expandability of your CMS and the easy deployment of external code without messing with any API. And I certainly think your CMS will make a difference, otherwise I wouldn’t bother commenting in the first place, right?


I hope you stick around and test out my CMS so you can give me your thoughts - even if you opt to stick with Joomla.


Yes, Jack, I’ll “stick around” - I’ve already enjoyed “15 days of JQuery” - and I would also like to help you beta test your CMS. I am not a Joomla only designer/developer!

I would especially be interested in developing “plugins” and perhaps help a bit -if needed- with the admin’s user interface (I belong to the few designer/developer breed of people :), ha ha!)

You have my e-mail and can contact me whenever you want.

So I’m glad you’re here - even if we disagree.

Yes, the CMS will be expandable. But let me give you my impression of the kind of expansion you might see.

My system, because it handles static pages natively, will allow any coder to create a page with PHP code and have it wrapped inside of the template. So, if you write
<?php echo 'hello world';?>

save as hello.php and upload, it will wrap right inside the template - no muss no fuss.

This native support of static files gives a LOT of flexibility.

However, I do not expect you will see the same proliferation of plugins that you see with open source systems that require plugin creation in order for the system to be extended.

For example, WordPress has a multitude of plugins for contact forms. Why would mine have that when you can use any form processing code and just upload it and start using it? There’s no need for a “plugin”.

But my plan is to have a collection of scripts that I have found or created that folks can share and add to their system as they see fit.

The docs will have information on how to access the system variables. So, if you want to query the database, for example, I’ll give you the recipe to use the db class that is built into the system. Naturally, you’re free to use your own home grown db class or write it out long hand, but it will be your option.

Fotis, the big area of disagreement I have with you is something I can’t really prove until I launch the Beta testing (soon). But my issue is that you seem to be saying that such systems already exist.

Obviously, I disagree.

My two points:
1- I truly do not believe there is a system that has every advantage my system has. That said, there are going to be PLENTY of folks that try out my CMS and say, “Nah, I’ll stick with XYZ”. That’s cool, because I know there are others that are going to say “Thank you for reading my mind”.

2- Small improvements in several areas don’t add up… they multiply. So a 10% improvement in four or five key areas is more like a 100% or 200% improvement, IMHO.


If the commercial CMS you are preparing is simply one to write articles and easily attach static pages, have beautiful URLs and a super easy templating system, then excuse me saying that other CMSs, totally free, already exist and do exactly that.
Cutenews or Wordpress perhaps?

I have only just now looked at Cutenews, but looking at the templating system, doesn’t impress me much… and it appears to be a “static files only system”.

WordPress I’m very familiar with. I’ve posted on this blog (powered by WordPress) that anyone wanting a blog should use WordPress. I consider this to be the defacto tool for blogging.

But WordPress (although it can be hacked into a CMS) is not designed to be a CMS that a web design freelancer or web design agency can turn over to a novice client and have them feel at home with the admin. Post vs Page?

And then there’s the templating. 12 or more files for a skin?

Static files? Can be done… but only after hacking. (Actually, I wrote a plugin for static files… but that’s another story)

What I’m selling is extreme convenience. No muss, no fuss. An admin just the way a web design agency or freelancer would want - not that end users can’t use purchase a license, but I’m gearing this towards the multiple license crowd. And since web design freelancing is what I do, I have a pretty good idea of what is missing and what others like me might want.

Want to slap your logo on the admin? Please do.
Hired a new web designer yesterday? In 5 min they can skin a site. No learning curve.
Need to roll your own plugin? Screw the API… write some PHP code and upload that bad boy.

Version 0.1 ain’t gonna be perfect… but it’s time to roll this thing out and get some feedback.

I’m putting some finishing touches on the user admin and then I’ll be asking for Beta testers.

Fotis, glad you’re here. I enjoyed your site. You’re obviously a very smart cookie from what I see from your plugin development and articles.

I hope you stick around and test out my CMS so you can give me your thoughts - even if you opt to stick with Joomla.

If the reply to the above question is “Yes, it will be expandable”, you can count one more customer and I’d be happy to post a banner for your CMS in my little Joomla blog at here (Alexa ranking:187.000) to show my support .

What would you answer to that? Is your content management system expandable or plugable, like Shaun Inman’s Mint for example? You pay for the package but you also have the ability to “play” and experiment with it and if you have the knowledge, expand it!

If the commercial CMS you are preparing is simply one to write articles and easily attach static pages, have beautiful URLs and a super easy templating system, then excuse me saying that other CMSs, totally free, already exist and do exactly that. Cutenews or Wordpress perhaps?

I believe what is missing from a commercial CMS is true expandability!

Don’t get me wrong on that. My original comment was made in a very friendly tone, but you seem to have misunderstood me. I didn’t say “Joomla is the best, go get Joomla!”, I simply pointed out that the feature you mentioned is not something new. And since you have setup this blog to engage people in what you are doing in an obviously helpful and friendly way, than you should accept comments the same way

Fotis