CMS, or content management system is the most popular and yet easiest way to make a content Web site up and running, all we need to do is to upload and configure the source files to the hosting server. However, selecting the right CMS for the use of content driven site and make the real comparison between different CMS available on the Web, it is not easy. Thus, it’s not surprise that there are bunch of articles entitled from “Joomla vs Drupal?” “Joomla vs Drupal vs PHPnuke?” till “CMS made simple vs Drupal?” with the purpose of advising people in choosing the right CMS.

Still, there is a new entrant entering into this CMS space that called GetSimple. As the name suggests, GetSimple could be one of the simple CMS based on the fact that it is an XML based and in other words, it doesn’t need a database in order to run it. It is lightweight, open source, with the source files written in PHP and will help you build a small Web site in less than an hour.

Currently, GetSimple installation files come with two (2) themes, the Default_Simple theme and Cardinal theme. It is also equipped with some basic features such as “undo” as well as backup. Although it is not an ideal tool for developing large dynamic community Web sites, but for those who are in need of developing a small Web site, GetSimple offers an alternative to the popular CMS such as Drupal or Joomla.

Joomla, is one of the popular open source content management systems among the users nowadays. There are many sites being built with this Joomla. Some used Joomla to build their small business sites, some used it for corporate site purposes, bundled with a lot of third-party extensions such as poll, blog, shopping cart, i.e. VirtueMart, CRM, and etc.

Most recently, there is a new tool namely JomSocial dedicated to everything Joomla for the Joomla users in their efforts to build a Joomla social network/community. JomSocial was developed by Azrul, subtly coined himself as the Joomla expert and released it to the Joomla community as a paid extension which charge $149 for the Professional version. For users to install and use it in their Joomla sites, their Joomla must be version 1.5.7 and above. In terms of functionality, there’s a ton of features if you’re using this JomSocial, you’ll get a custom user profile, private messaging system, friend-buddy system, activity stream, etc. To get a grasp on it, you can visit this JomSocial development site.

For years, Joomla users when they developed their community sites with Joomla, they can use the free modules available such as Community Builder, GroupJive, and Fireboard. Although these three (3) extensions can easily help to create a best Joomla social networking possible, but integrate these three is always a pain and one might wondered how much custom work is under the hood.

Does Joomla social networking have a steep learning curve? Yes, but it seems the goal of JomSocial is to be a killer extension to have in Joomla with an aim to help users to build their social networks with much less time and work.