simple cms

August 20, 2005 5:22 AM

What is the simpliest, and most efficient CMS for running a 15 pages website (with no complex functions such as polls, forums, etc...) ?
posted by vincentm to Computers & Internet (15 answers total)

Textpattern, or Wordpress. They are both dead easy to set up in a few minutes and figuring out how to post is a few more minutes work.
posted by planetkyoto at 5:34 AM on August 20, 2005

If the site is only 15 pages, a content management system seems like it might be overkill. Are the 15 pages dynamic, or static?

If it's a weblog, then what planetkyoto said, I guess.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:47 AM on August 20, 2005

Perhaps this doesn't require more than CSS files and server-side includes?
posted by madman at 6:29 AM on August 20, 2005

I second Textpattern.
posted by chunking express at 7:35 AM on August 20, 2005

You might want to look at Macromedia Contribute (reviews).
posted by kirkaracha at 9:38 AM on August 20, 2005

If the site is as simple as you say, I'd recommend a directory containing an HTML file with the page header and structure, another HTML file with the page footer, and then 15 HTML files with the various pages' content, all using SSI to include the header and footer. And maybe a CSS and/or JavaScript file, as you need 'em.
posted by delfuego at 9:40 AM on August 20, 2005

You could probably use a wiki, if you hide and password-protect all the "edit this page" links.
posted by reynaert at 9:43 AM on August 20, 2005

Second HTML/CSS/Javascript/SSI. Anything else is way overkill. Use the right tool for the right job...
posted by devilsbrigade at 9:46 AM on August 20, 2005

I've been really happy with cmsimple. It requires php3 on the server, and that's it. All editing is done via the browser, and the content is maintained in a single HTML file; no database required. Not difficult to set up, maintained by a single programmer, and a large user community to access if you need support.
posted by soundslikeobiwan at 10:34 AM on August 20, 2005

Oh yeah, and it's free.
posted by soundslikeobiwan at 10:35 AM on August 20, 2005

SimpleDoc might work -- basically just an interface to edit files on your server. It stores files and folders in their real folder structure, so there is no URL rewriting or datbase backend. Which means that it is totally portable, and you aren't even locked into using this interface forever.
posted by misterbrandt at 10:47 AM on August 20, 2005

CMSimple claims it requires PHP 4 (not 3) in case it matters.
posted by realcountrymusic at 4:23 PM on August 20, 2005

FogCreek's CityDesk is free if less than 50 files (so, up to 50 pages, less images stored separately, for example) are being managed.
posted by WestCoaster at 6:07 PM on August 20, 2005

I love textpattern. It might take you a bit to grasp the inner workings, but once you do it is lovely to work with.
posted by meta87 at 8:07 PM on August 20, 2005

Response by poster: Thank you all for your answers. I haven't made my choice yet but I have plenty of possiblities thanks to your contributions.
posted by vincentm at 12:08 PM on August 21, 2005