Database-driven websites vs. html-based

#1

I've recently begun producing dynamic sites with Joomla and other CMS and have
run across an interesting trend: While they are obviously superior for
out-of-the-box "community" websites, often the owners of these sites begin to
experiment themselves with downloading extensions that break the site and cause
all kinds of coding nightmares for the designer. Does anyone out there
stipulate in the web development contract that any additions to the site
exonerate the designer from further involvement with the site?... While a
selling point, could these open source software-based sites be more a pain in
the wazoo in the long run?...

#2

You're letting the site owners edit the site at the code level?

For me, it's simple. If I'm maintaining the site, the client isn't allowed
to mess with the code. If they're editing the code, I'm no longer involved.

I tell them (ahead of time, so that it's never a problem) that it's kind of
like opening up the back panel on an electronic item, which voids the
warranty.

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Patty Ayers | www.WebDevBiz.com
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"Paevo Kelley" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

I've recently begun producing dynamic sites with Joomla and other CMS and
have
run across an interesting trend: While they are obviously superior for
out-of-the-box "community" websites, often the owners of these sites begin
to
experiment themselves with downloading extensions that break the site and
cause
all kinds of coding nightmares for the designer. Does anyone out there
stipulate in the web development contract that any additions to the site
exonerate the designer from further involvement with the site?... While a
selling point, could these open source software-based sites be more a pain
in
the wazoo in the long run?...

#3

Paevo Kelley wrote:

Quote:

I've recently begun producing dynamic sites with Joomla and other CMS and have
run across an interesting trend: While they are obviously superior for
out-of-the-box "community" websites, often the owners of these sites begin to
experiment themselves with downloading extensions that break the site and cause
all kinds of coding nightmares for the designer. Does anyone out there
stipulate in the web development contract that any additions to the site
exonerate the designer from further involvement with the site?... While a
selling point, could these open source software-based sites be more a pain in
the wazoo in the long run?...

Your obviously giving them super administrator rights, you want to give
them more restricted access if you don't want them adding extensions.

Steve

#4

Yes, the 9 levels of access of Joomla admin, etc. I suppose what I'm trying to
say is: Inasmuch as an open-source cms inevitably entails certain comprises
(finding extensions which actually work, template creation limitations, etc.),
AND, custom cms cost many times more and are therefore prohibitive, MIGHT not a
hybrid html-php (or whatever) site be the way of the future?

#5

Paevo Kelley wrote:

Quote:

Yes, the 9 levels of access of Joomla admin, etc. I suppose what I'm trying to
say is: Inasmuch as an open-source cms inevitably entails certain comprises
(finding extensions which actually work, template creation limitations, etc.),
AND, custom cms cost many times more and are therefore prohibitive, MIGHT not a
hybrid html-php (or whatever) site be the way of the future?

I think ALL cms, whether open-source or commercial, will require
compromises. Unless you build the entire application yourself that is.

Use the right tools for the job.

Steve

#6

ye u cant find a good workman with rubbish tools

#7

"FeverDance" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

ye u cant find a good workman with rubbish tools

No, ye can't. If his tools sucketh he shalt suck too.

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Patty Ayers | www.WebDevBiz.com
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#8

WHOA - YOU'VE BEEN PUNKED! 8)

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"P@tty Ayers ~ACE" <signup1REMOVE (AT) ayersvirtualREMOVE (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

"FeverDance" <webforumsuser (AT) macromedia (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:g528t8$sod$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
ye u cant find a good workman with rubbish tools

No, ye can't. If his tools sucketh he shalt suck too.

--
Patty Ayers | www.WebDevBiz.com
Free Articles on the Business of Web Development
Web Design Contract, Estimate Request Form, Estimate Worksheet
--