To CMS or To Code. That is the question.

[SourChipmunk]

I had a search for anything similar, but all the posts I could find dated back to 2007 so I'm sure there may be some new advise since then. Basically...

I have an existing site that is fairly popular but doesn't get a lot of movement (a lot of hits, not many content submissions). It's the 2nd hit in Google if you search for Motorcycle Touring, which I guess is a small indication of the popularity.

Anyway, I have been getting complaints from users about having a different log in for the forums (Ikonboard), for the store (Zencart), for the photo gallery (Gallery2), and for the newsletter subscription (Google). So I have a couple choices here:

1) Switch my site over to a CMS (I currently have Joomla installed and have been goofing around somewhat with it), find some kind kind of forum add-on (thinking of Kunena), photo gallery, and store add-on. Or,

2) Find some way of coding in a bridge that will provide single sign-on functionality from my current homepage.

With option 1, I would like to know if someone has a current site using these types of features and how it looks right now. With option 2, I surely don't have the experience/knowledge to do such a task and frankly not sure if it is even possible. So I will probably work with option 1. Fun fun.

Does anyone else have a Joomla CMS running with a functional forum, photo gallery, or store that I can take a peak at?

 

[SourChipmunk]

Cheers _lecro_. I assume that's open source as well? Your site looks good, though I see you haven't strayed from the default skin much. How is ease of installation and administration?

I was actually a fan of PostNuke ages ago, never used it though. Never really had the need until now.

 

[SourChipmunk]

I registered on their site and checked out the features, I didn't see anything regarding ecommerce-type stuff. I may have just overlooked it. Also, checking the site usability itself it seemed a little sluggish. It may have just been a skin fault, though. I think I'll give it a try. Thanks lecro!

 

[SourChipmunk]

No bud you didnt overlook it, as i said in my first post the shop isnt activated atm.

Ahh, sorry. I thought you meant it wasn't activated on your site.

Ugh, stay away from the nukes, they have a long history of security vulnerabilities...I just don't think the code it's based on is that solid.

Your best option would be to do a single sign-on, multiple benefits: users don't need to relearn their way around the site, you don't have to migrate information across, what you have currently works, you just need a single sign on solution.

Ahh, users are complaining that the current site is difficult to navigate, so it's in need of a overhaul anyway. Or at least a new method of organising the information. I'm not too concerned about them having to re-learn everything because they're mostly old folks and are clueless anyway. What I need is a modern interface that will attract younger folks.

Thanks for your suggestions!