Website Software

[Doofus]

So imagine I wanted a website, which I could update daily (a sort of newsletter/magazine type thing), probably with a forum linked to it (not in competition with this site at all ).

I've only ever worked in HTML before, and I assume there are options out there which enable easy content addition/updating, creation of links and so on without needing to be (or pay) an expert.

I'd probably use a website template, but what could I use to manage it?

This might be a huge questrion, with an equally massive answer, but at least it demonstrates how little I know...

TIA

[Doofus]

Blog!

Blog.

Is that what I want?

[10JH]

You need a CMS (Content Management System).

There are lots of free ones out there, such as - WordPress, Joomla, Drupal

There are lots of free templates for them as well.

I think they would all involve a pretty steep learning curve to put a site together. But from what I've heard, nothing impossible.

[PetrolTed]

Yep, look at something like Wordpress. There are lots of things you can attach to it. Or Druapl or dotnetnuke...

[Doofus]

Thanks both.

As you both mentioned WordPress, I'll start there...

[rpguk]

Yup, sounds like you want a blog. Wordpress is the big one and you can either take it hosted or put it on your own server.

If you want a bit more flexibility have a look at a more comprehensive CMS like Joomla.

Both of those will be able to integrate with a forum such as PHPBB

[10JH]

Wordpress is mainly used for blog sites.

Though I've heard that it is powerful to be used to create proper websites (whatever they are!).

I think it's meant to be one of the easiest to use too.

[Doofus]

A blog-type thing is probably what I want. Although I don't really know what makes a blog different to any other website.

I'll have to have a play. Bang goes my planned lazy week...

[Davie_GLA]

I've got a few sites running Joomla, it was a bit of a learning curve but once you've got the hang of it (and i still fully haven't) - it's a great system.

Probably overkill for a blog though, wordpress is more blog focussed.

There is of course the option of using Googles blogger: http://www.arc-on.co.uk/all-products/suits/corse-s...

You can also have your own domain and point it to the blog so it looks as if it's 'yours'.

David.

[CHIEF]

Ok it maybe flashed based but Moonfruit is pretty good and dead easy to use.