The Best Open Source Software

In most cases open source software means free, but there are rules when it comes to open source software. In most cases, the software and the modifications have to be used in the same context as what anything is based off of.  If you really want the rules about open source, please check their website out. Most people by now actually use open source software even if you know it or not.

Open Source CMS is the site I go through when I am looking for open source software. What I do like about the site, is I can test out the software before I decide and go and download it myself. If I like the feel, I will go and try it. Its that easy.  I have found a lot of great things through them.  Some I have stayed with and yet others I have not.  The whole idea for me is to try things and see if I like it any better.

CMS stand for content management systems. For the longest time I had always felt that the Content management systems were for the lazy. I was one of those people whom created her own website by hand with HTML. When I finally broke down and decided that it was time to go this route. The first one that I had actually tried was PhpFusion. So here is my list of possible great CMS:

• PhpFusion - Its a very easy lightweight piece of work. It even has a forum included with it. Its decent for a small site, but if you plan on running a big one, I would not suggest this at all it there is a file size limit per page you create.
  
• E107 - This one is not bad at all and its really easy to run. In certain areas it reminds me of Phpfusion. This one also does have a forum included with it. If you look hard enough there are themes available for it. You just have to know where to look.
• Joomla - Joomal is a fork of Mambo. Joomla has plenty of addons and themes out there. When you are just starting with it, it can be confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it should be easy to do anything you want.
  

There is even quite a few open source forums out there that you can work with. We open forums and when we need to get something in this area, here are some of the choices that I like:

• AEF - It seems decent, but it didn't fit my needs.
• mybb - Its also a decent board and at some point I did use it. 
  
• Novaboard - To me, it seems to be a mix inbetween invision and smf.
• Phpbb -  Its been around for a long time.
• SMF - Its a great board that I have used.
  

When it comes to blogs, there is only one I would recommend and that is wordpress.  I love the program and to me its great as a blog, but also great as a CMS.  You get the best of two words with this one.

If you plan on trying out image galleries for your site, I'd suggest 4 images or coppermine.  They both are very good.

Of all of the wikis, I would suggest mediawiki. I have never tested out the other ones, but I have tested out mediawiki. It does take a bit of work getting used to it, but as you play around with it more, it really does get better and you do become a pro at it. I think mediawiki is great when it comes to expanding it.