wordpress vs. joomla?

There isn't an answer for this question, because it really would depend on what sort of website you wanted.

Personally I'm a Joomla head, but of course i can see the advantages of wordpress for simple blogs or websites, especially as wordpress is easier to get your head around when you're getting started.

I've used them both - but now almost exclusively use WordPress. It can't be said that one platform is always better than another as it depends on what you want to do with your site. But generally speaking, I'd say right now WordPress is a far more flexible, easier, and better platform.

I've run all three of them.

Joomla-will do almost anything you want, but it is complicated to learn at first. It can be finicky about server settings. Themes all over the place.

Wordpress-user friendly, easy to learn, just works. Again, themes all over the place.

Drupal-about in the middle of the two for a new user. Doesn't have a 'back end' and I've never ran into server issues. Themes are around if you look....drupal seems to be gaining support all the time too.

Just my $.02

Like a couple of people in here mentioned, it's not a simple answer.

Yea it's easy to install. Less than 5 min if your host uses cPanel as it's generally available in Fantastico as a server side install.

The thing is, what do you want the end result of your site to be. You really must know what you're perfect site would be like, then choose the engine that wiill do what you want.

I have both Joomla and Wordpress, and even have been messing around with Elgg.

I mean look at Internet Marketer Magazine that is actually done on wordpress. So there's a lot you can do with it. Customizations aren't that expensive and there are TONS of user supported themes, plugins and widgets.

I guess the same goes with Joomla too.

If you could tell us a little more about what you want your site to DO then we'll have a better feel for the engine.

Functionality is the key here, so make sure the engine is able to provide the functionality you seek from the start rather than switching engines in the middle.

I started a site with Joomla, it has forums, community, live chat, instant messaging, videos and all the bells and whistles. BIG PROBLEM though... it's too much. While that's what I wanted the site to end up with, it's good to start small and when the community asks, give them the next big thing.

so, what do you want your site to be/do?

What can I say I'm a wordpress whore ...
All funning aside I have used both. If your are doing simple sites or a blog ... wordpress hands down. I think out of the box SEO has Joom beat.

Don't overlook joomla though if you have a complex situation that joomla can fill. Joomla is amazing in it's on right.

I would suggest looking at what you want your site to eventually do, go and see if all plugins and solutions can be fulfilled by wordpress and if so then I would go with it.

Have you ever considered Drupal if you are looking at a membership type site something to consider.

I think theonion dot com uses drupal ... but the learning curve hurt my head but I have one site that is powered by it and the search engines eat it up.

You can't compare WordPress with Joomla.. it depends on what kind of site that you want to build..

Hi everyone,

Whether WP, Joomla or Drupal, all can be installed within minutes. They use mySQL database, so if you know a little bit of db connections stuff, it'll help.

I started with WP but found that it was a little limited for building robust sites. WP is the best platform for blogging but if you need more variety and sth more robust, Joomla and Drupal are the other top CMS.

I shifted to Joomla not long after WP. Never look back since. I'm a Joomla hardcore now and have done a lot of sites for my clients.

As for hacking, any platform are open to hacking. It's how you protect your system, etc. Besides, all 3 CMS are being updated all the time to close up the holes against hackers.

Cheers!

Hi,

Not sure what you mean by do they work with MS office. Where are you installing them?

These are to be installed on a server unix/linix running PHP

They also require you to setup a database. If you need to edit these file you should get an editor that can handle php and html. I use a free one called Alleycode.