Hi everyone!

 

I'm just getting into webdesign, and I'm wondering whether the way I'm going about it is "good" and which CMS I should pick.

 

My plan is currently to create a basic layout with Artisteer, and then modify it further to fit my needs. I figure this is easier than starting from scratch. I know that tools like Artisteer are usually frowned upon by serious webdesigners, but to me it seems like it would make everything a lot easier.

 

 

The website I'm creating is not a blog but a PC hardware/tech review website, so I'm not sure whether WordPress is the easiest way to do this or whether Joomla might be the way to go.

 

The general structure I storyboarded is supposed to look something like this website: http://www.anandtech.com/

 

- top menu bar for review categories

- left menu bar for forums and other non-review links

- I'm still thinking about whether I should go with two seperate columns for reviews and blog/news entries.

 

Now it seems that with Artisteer it is easier to create a basic layout the way I want it for Joomla, the WordPress layouts seem to be very blog-oriented. I also couldn't find templates for WordPress with the layout I wanted, so I think using Joomla may actually be easier for me.

 

I also played around with both a little bit at opensourcecms.com but I could not figure out whether it was possible to create multi-page articles (like the ones on Anandtech) with WordPress. Is that possible without plugins/customization?

 

 

So my question basically is, can WordPress do what I want without a lot of customizing (for a newbie) or would it be better to use Joomla? Or should I use something entirely different?

 

Thanks!

I would suggest you get a solid foundation is (X)HTML and CSS before using a CMS.

 

Joomla is generally easier than WordPress for beginners but if you want to skin it, watch out. It uses an XML system for layout.

 

WordPress is slightly more difficult but offers more flexibility and is easier to skin.

Thanks for the reply!

 

I would suggest you get a solid foundation is (X)HTML and CSS before using a CMS.

 

I'm doing that, I'm currently reading "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML", I should be through with that in a few days

 

For motivation/practice I want to play around with the code and a CMS a little bit while reading.

 

Joomla is generally easier than WordPress for beginners but if you want to skin it, watch out. It uses an XML system for layout.

 

If I chosse WordPress, will (X)HTML and CSS be enough to create the kind of layout that I want?

 

WordPress is slightly more difficult but offers more flexibility and is easier to skin.

 

Good to know, I was told that it was the other way around, I don't know how much the guy who told me that knows though

If I chosse WordPress, will (X)HTML and CSS be enough to create the kind of layout that I want?

 

Yes, it is essentially XHTML & CSS with PHP thrown in (in layman's terms).

 

Here is a great tutorial on making a WordPress theme from scratch @ NETTUTS+

 

 

Part 1

 

Part 2

I would disagree with Meshach and say that Wordpress is far easier to learn than Joomla!

There is something about Joomla! that makes me want to tear my finger nails out! I hate it! (only my opinion of course )

You can easily create multi-page articles with Wordpress and it doesn't need to look like a blog at all.

It's certainly worth having a play around with. Another good tutorial as well as the ones that Meshach posted is here.

Good luck

I absolutely hate, hate HATE, hate joomla.

 

Did I mention I hate joomla?

'ere Meshach, I get the impression you're not a fan of Joomla...

 

Not sure why I think that, but meh.

 

Care to elaborate?

Thanks guys! Those tutorials look great, good thing I decided to do this myself instead of paying someone $ for this

 

I'm working on my HTML/CSS now and will be back for more questions once I'm done with the book and get to working with WordPress itself.

'ere Meshach, I get the impression you're not a fan of Joomla...

 

Not sure why I think that, but meh.

 

Care to elaborate?

 

Elaboration:

 

I hate there templating system.

 

They make the simplest things really complex.

lol I agree, just wondered what your reasons were

I would disagree with Meshach and say that Wordpress is far easier to learn than Joomla!

There is something about Joomla! that makes me want to tear my finger nails out! I hate it! (only my opinion of course )

You can easily create multi-page articles with Wordpress and it doesn't need to look like a blog at all.

It's certainly worth having a play around with. Another good tutorial as well as the ones that Meshach posted is here.

Good luck

 

 

I tend to agree with that as well. Joomla is an impressive CMS, but it can be overkill for a lot of things. I am just learning Wordpress now, and I find it amazing how easy it is to figure out and configure.

For a really good, easy to learn and use CMS, I STILL recommend ModX lol

In my opinion wordpress is more basic and easier to style.

 

Joomla is a bit more complex, Though they both work with content based on articles.

 

 

I have to agree with Meshach though

 

Joomla can be a major pain in the ass.

Well I found WordPress (2.7) super super easy but for a beginner that knows no PHP at all I would think it would be difficult... I don't know.

 

Maybe I'm wrong about that. If I am I'm sorry.