Silverstripe, a New Zealand made open-source CMS
The company has just released an updated version of their Content Management System (CMS) tool and is working hard adding new features by the day.
The core team is only 16 people, but the company is currently "hosting" ten interns brought in with their participation in the Google Summer of Code. The Google SoC allows students from all over the world to participate in projects with companies that have been approved by Google and provide mentoring during the process. Companies list their projects, and Google will match students with companies - sometimes in a competitive environment where students look for projects in their area of expertise.
Silverstripe is written in PHP and very modular. During the preview Sig installed a demo version in about three minutes - including the explanations for each step. I saw a test website up and running in no time. Modules can be added at any time, and work as plug-ins, adding features to the core functionality.
Sig told me the new version is much quicker to production, with a default theme that will get new users up and running in no time, while they customise the site to their look and feel.
Currently using PHP 5 and MySQL, one of the Google SoC-sponsored projects is the support for a broad range of database platforms, using the PHP 5 Data Objectes (PDO). Other projects included OpenID support, extended reporting, Google Maps support, localisation features and more.
The platform can be used for any type of CMS-based website, and includes plug-ins for forums, Flickr picture streams and more. One of the new features, also result of this year's Google SoC is the addition of web marketing promotions tools making it easy to create Sitemaps and automatically generate Google AdWords campaign to promote the site with Google's advertising solution.
You can download Silverstripe free. The company offers consulting services. Silverstripe is one of the applications nominated for the New Zealand Open Source Awards 2007 (and Sig wouldn't mind you voting for them).
Tag(s):
Other related posts:
Broadband in New Zealand according to OECD
Did Twitter really take in consideration these DMCA notices?
Bill Gates changing the world
Comment by Martha, on 24-Jul-2007 21:22
We're seriously optimistic that Silverstripe is going to be the answer for our website management - and stop us from having to update 60 + pages each time we do something (yes, we're web design noobs).
Comment by Brian Calhoun, on 27-Jul-2007 07:25
Ben, I'm happy to say blog is on the way! We're working really hard to have not just a blog template, but a blog engine built in to the core of SIlverStripe. It'll be ready "when it's ready" but you'll have plenty of time to get your Christmas wish lists in your SilverStripe blog, for sure. :-)
And thanks Mauricio, for the nice write-up!
Add a comment
Please note: comments that are inappropriate or promotional in nature will be deleted.
E-mail addresses are not displayed, but you must enter a valid e-mail address to confirm your comments.
Comment by Ben, on 22-Jul-2007 16:32
Geeze it looks pretty nice. A "Blog" template would be a welcome addition.