An open-source Content Management System (CMS) that helps you build online applications and easily updated Web sites, Joomla descended from an older CMS called Mambo. Because it's open source, there are thousands, even tens of thousands, of people aiding its continuing development by writing news modules, plug-ins and extensions for it. No programming knowledge is required to use it since web designers and developers simply combine modules to create applications and sites. The underlying framework was created in PHP, like the modules used for customizing sites.
Joomla is popular among developers for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is free, like all open source tools. Because of this, it is simple to obtain with a straightforward download. On top of that, the Joomla environment is exceptionally customizable and flexible, doing many different things for many different developers. If you're wondering, What can Joomla do for me or my business??well, it can do anything you need done with a CMS, and then some.
Highlights of major features
* Joomla runs on just about any OS (Operating System), including Linux, several kinds of Unix, Windows and Macintosh OS X, using PHP and the MySQP database to provide dynamic content. * Joomla also support multiple programming languages and scripting tools. * Content to be displayed on Web sites is easily managed, updated and scheduled. * The Joomla News Feed Manager can easily gather feeds from other sites without tedious setup time. * The “site engines” are built out of databases, and every element in a Joomla site is centrally stored. * The page layouts are completely customizable. For non-designers, there are literally thousands upon thousands of free templates to use, and they can be swapped in and out without having any effect at all on the stored or displayed content.
Multiple benefits of Joomla
Because it is a truly “global” application, vast numbers of developers continue improving Joomla, submitting newly created Web services, special components, plug-ins and design templates. Depending on need, developers assemble components and add functionality with no programming. The term “scalability” has been overused quite a bit, but Joomla really does have it, and it is an important consideration for companies that need a solid CMS that can evolve with their needs. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical requirement for getting your website properly indexed by search engines. Joomla's SEO capabilities come standard in the application, with a dedicated SEO tab in the Global Configuration area of the Administration “back end” that handles global SEO settings for your site. Joomla also generates search-engine-friendly (SEF) URLs to help your rankings.
For regular folks
One huge benefit for most design-challenged people is the fact that huge numbers of web designers design Joomla Templates. These are generally free, too, so with a little searching you can find one that you like, download it and use it. Furthering the “people-friendly” methodology, Joomla can be installed, set up and managed by folks with average computer skills. It gets even easier after it is running, as adding, editing and scheduling content is a quick series of mouse clicks. This ease of use is one of the main reasons that Joomla is popular with companies, organizations and individuals around the world for Web sites, Extranets and Intranets. Because Joomla's architecture is so popular, flexible and friendly, there are always huge numbers of people developing a vast array of components and modules for tasks both common and rare. You can find and implement just about any functionality that you need, simply by downloading a module or plug-in and adding it to the CMS. If there were any technology developed specifically “of, for and by the people,” Joomla would be it. The truly amazing thing, however, is that the application continues to evolve without any central organizing authority, through a process of true collaboration and interactivity.
So, what can it do?
The short answer is…whatever you need. The really impressive thing about Joomla is its structure. Its very nature is one that empowers and encourages huge numbers of Web developers all across the planet to develop ever-more-powerful plug-ins, extensions, modules and template to this invaluable CMS. This means, also, that you are never alone with your Joomla project, as a world full of other users is ready to help.
If you are “technologically challenged,” and don't understand much of this article, you still do not need an expensive consultant or programmer to use Joomla. If you have an employee, friend or family member that knows how to set up and manage a Facebook page or build their own Web sites, they will be fully capable of helping you with Joomla. If it will help your business or personal goals, you might decide it's time to get a bit more familiar with the free tools that can make you money and help you succeed. Joomla sets the bar as low as possible, making it a true “people's program.”For professional joomla templates, visit Joomla Shack.com online for a design that can deliver clean content for medium to large scale sites for complete control over the look and feel.
