Joomla! is a content management system that allows nearly effortless site building with limitless possibilities.  CMS works are a framework for the website, creating paths, pages, and links for user added content.  Once the framework is set, any users with the proper permissions can update the site in a blog style editor.  After creating the content page/blog, the user simply has to place it in a category and the system does the rest.

CMS also uses CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) templates that allow instantaneous design updates, without interferring with the content.  Once a template is loaded, it can be set at any time to display, allowing clients to change the look of their site with the seasons or for special events.

Another great virtue of Joomla! is user and contact management.  Users can be added by an administrator, or through an optional form on the website itself.  Once registered, the user won't gain any privileges until given them by the administrator.  Certain portions of the site can be set so that they are only viewable by users of a certain level, keeping unwanted spam and visitors from gaining access to sensitive information.  Contacts that are listed in the Joomla! CMS have their own page that allows visitors to communicate via email without giving out the contact's address, even to spambots.

At Next Mountain we employ Joomla! to quickly build websites that are secure, dynamic and easy to use.

Visit Joomla!'s website for more information.

Wordpress is a software system much like Joomla!.  However, Wordpress is exclusively for building blogs, or at least sites with blog formats.  Like Joomla!, Wordpress also uses a template system that allows the user to change the appearence of the blog with the simple click of a mouse.  When used in tandem with Joomla!, Wordpress can add a dynamic interface between clients and the viewers of their sites.

Why should you go with Wordpress versus Blogger or other free blog sites?  There are many reasons, but here are just a few.

• Complete Ownership - A Wordpress blog and all of its content is exclusively yours.  No one else can alter it or make claims to it.  Unless you add it, no content will be shown on your site, like the ads and links that other blog sites include on your page.
• Complete Control - You can control every aspect of the appearance and features of the blog site.  You can also easily monitor comments made on posts, deleting them if necessary.
• Complete Access - many firewalls in schools and businesses block all blogs, preventing your website from being accessed.  Wordpress blogs generally are not filtered out as such.  This is extremely helpful if you use your blog as an extension of your business or organization.