Given Demands - What is the best Open Source Software available?

[insaz.wmin]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum and to the world of CMS!
I'm about to design my FIRST ever CMS site and before getting started, I figured I should get all my 'newbie' questions answered before setting out 

This is more or less the PDF version of the site, I'm supposed to have up and running in a few months.
http://www.stebrun.ch/ethnopoly/ethnopoly_website-v2.pdf


Here goes the list of add-ons:

- open source product, which can be extended with extra features (random-pictures, news, etc.)
- global stylesheet (css) facility
- main/sub navigation menus can be created and modified
- shifting of content between menus/submenus should be simple and easy
- different user groups: admin (access to general + subpages), users (access ONLY to their specific subpage: bern, geneve or meyrin)
- subpage 'projekt bereich' on the left should only appear when users are logged in
    * user profiles: kontaktdetails, fotos
    * a common calendar modifiable by all users
    * users should be able to upload their files (100+) here (and select category of the doc)
    * search engine with categorical search (using checkboxes) and keywords
- smooth extensions in the future for:
  * internal community: forums, user lists, exchange of documents
  * multilingual: structured maintenance of different languages, easy switching


Now, I've been given a list of functions which have to be available. The question I've asked myself and I'm going to ask the gurus out there is that which open source software is the best and meets all the expectations for the given purpose.
Help required

[davids355]

Cmsms is what you need! I'm pretty sure it can do everything you require the only thing I'm not sure about is the search customisation but it can prob be done. Basically cmsms has template interface to HTML is separate from content, CDs is also called in from template.

Menus are also seperate and you can have multiple menus / sub menus that start at a certain level etc.

There are loads of modules available ie front end users, user profiles, custom content, forum etc.

In my opinion it's the best cms out there, it is also more advanced than say wordpress, so I think it will suit you in that respect as well.

By the way nice design! Let us know when it's up and running.

[reneh]

If you walk into a Audi dealer and ask: What is the best car on the market?

The question I've asked myself and I'm going to ask the gurus out there is that which open source software is the best and meets all the expectations for the given purpose.

Be aware this is the forum for CMS Made Simple - so all answers will be biased...

[davids355]

Good point! I reckon he's prbably posted in several forums maybe? Anyway cmsms IS the best:)

[insaz.wmin]

Well, I really don't mind you people being biased.
I'm fine with Joomla, Drupal, whatever as long as I can get exactly the website in the .pdf.



So.... how to get started?

[owr_bgld]

So.... how to get started?

Download CMS Made Simple 

[tyman00]

Our wiki even has a spot called "Getting Started"

http://wiki.cmsmadesimple.org/index.php ... ng_Started

The wiki is a good resource for getting going. Then once you have it installed be sure to read the default content that is installed with CMSMS, it has a load of good information too.

[jpatti]

IMO, you need to read unbiased reviews from a number of locations, not forums for the various CMS programs themselves.  I mean, this place is not going to be unbiased, this is the forum for CMSMS so obviously people here like it..

But reading the forums of products you're considering is very worthwhile.  The thing is, you spend 2-3 hours reading the forum for a product, you get a feel for the type of problems people have, what kind of help is available, etc.

I spent a year of my life with Joomla, and it's a year I'd like back.  I did a lot of research myself before choosing CMSMS.  But... I'm also on my first project, so... dunno yet really.  It's a LOT better than Joomla though, but... IMO, that's not necessarily saying much.