Best "pre-made" website system (Linux/PHP/Mysql) - PHPNuke et al.

[FormerDittoHead]

I've used PHPWebsite, CPGNuke, PHPNuke, and now Postnuke.

I really don't like the way PHPNuke is being incrementally taken into being a commercial product, so I worry about its future. Also, it is a resource hog...

I tried "CPGNuke", a PHPNuke fork which promises to use fewer resources, but found out that if you want to do anything with it that's not included in the default install, you basically have to learn everything there is to know about the program in order to convert Nuke Modules and Blocks to work with it.

Their "instructions" (quotes for sarcasm) for converting blocks probably makes sense to those who already know how to do it backwards and forwards, but it's no "step by step" for those wishing just to get ONE thing done. Furthermore, they're on the verge of coming out with a new version (Dragonfly) wholly incompatable with older versions, including modules and blocks, so EVERYTHING is now "wait and see"...

PHPWebsite http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/ I found to be very good because, unlike all of the others, it has a very good working calendar module included with the default setup. It doesn't seem to have much 3rd party module development going on, however.

I'm now playing with PostNuke, but again, they've introduced a new Theme Module which is incompatable with older versions. Furthermore, I haven't been able to find a theme that doesn't somehow require the right (3rd) column, which I don't want in some cases.

I'm looking for something more sophisticated than a simple blog. I'm looking for multiple admins, calendar (essential), theming and integrated message board.

Anyone with more experience as to which way to go?

[BlueEyedSon]

1. I just started working with XOOPS

So far so good, but I have no basis for comparison. The doc is nonexistent-to-awful.

Also I'll be starting the construction of my own custom modules next week, that should be fun!

Aparently you can set up your site with only 2 columns if you want.

http://www.xoops.org/

[FormerDittoHead]

2. Follow up re: Postnuke

Using Postnuke, I was just able to edit the theme templates (online forms: cool!) and was able to get rid of the 3rd (rightside) column. It seems the theme author assumed one would be using that column and hard coded the width / pixels for the right side column. It was easy enough to spot and remove however.

I'm still lookin' around, however, esp for one with a good calendar module. I just wanted to clear up that issue as this 3rd column problem with Postnuke was with a specific theme's coding rather than some core-module bug.

Lastly, with Postnuke, I got PHPBB (bbs) installed, but again, there seems to be a mass of work-arounds to get it to work with the newer "Xanthia" theme/template engine. It DOES seem cool, however, as it caches pages to reduce server load...

[kcr]

3. Well

"I'm looking for something more sophisticated than a simple blog. I'm looking for multiple admins, calendar (essential), theming and integrated message board."

Scoop might work for you.

[danostuporstar]

4. Haven't used it a lot myself, but Drupal

gets very good reviews. http://www.drupal.org/

[BlueEyedSon]

5. Really big list of CMSs

http://www.cmsinfo.org/article.php3?story_id=77