So I've been using a CMS to make it easier to update my website, problem being that it seems to be adding a bunch of nonsense stuff to the code. I can't count the number of times I've seen a three inch long string of <strong></strong> going across the code despite the fact that I haven't bolded anything. And that's just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to crap I haven't added showing up.

This brings me to my question. Is it easier to create your site and upload it without a CMS and then use the CSS to change things if needed later on?

In short, this CMS is frustrating me more than making it easier for me because I have to go through and delete all the stuff I never put there before uploading anything.

It seems like it would be easier to just create the pages and attach a stylsheet to control the font, text size, color, etc. etc. and be done with it. (yes, this from the person who is just learning CSS, and I'm alredy saying it might be easier to do it all by hand. Sigh.)

Anyway, do you guys use CMS's at all? Or do you just upload new pages the old fanshioned way everytime you update?

Look at it this way: have you ever gone into your local toy store (or Wal-Mart) and looked in the Barbie section and they have that little fake laptop that's a neat little toy but totally useless in any way, shape or form?

That's 99.99999% of CMS stuff out there.

If you want to do it properly, get your hands dirty and full of code.

Thanks. I'm wondering in terms of updating the site though. With a cms it's pretty easy to add to pages, links, etc, and I'm not sure if I'd just be causing myself more trouble by ditching it. I make a LOT of updates so I need to be able to do them easily.

Then if that's the case, build your own CMS for your own purposes.

Remember, DIY means it's built for you. Get someone else to do it for you, and that means it's one size fits all and usually no one gets a complete fit.

That's not exactly in my skill range yet. Thanks though.

Adam is right -- have you ever thought of d/l one of 100's of CMS scripts; uploading it to your server; and manipulating it for how you want it done?

Like I said, I'm not really able to do that yet. I guess I was just wondering if there's some kind of 'trick' to making updating easier when you're not using a CMS.

There's no "magical tricks" to updating, no matter if it's a website; CMS; or CSS -- which is actually a good thing, because it means you still maintain "control" ... any way you go, it's still going to require the "human touch" of updating and uploading changes.

Dreamweaver template objects can help if you really don't want to get into cms. But for 10-15 pages, you should not really need anything like that.

silverpawz: the "trick" is to know how to build your own. If that's beyond your level of ability, then there's only one answer: "get better."

It was beyond all of our abilities at some point too. For example, I used to code things in static HTML 8-9 years ago. travelagent probably did too. So did vangogh, I'll bet. But we all learned.

You're lucky in the sense that you now have a design/development goal to shoot for: "improve your skills to the point where you can build a CMS for yourself." So get crackin'.

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

For example, I used to code things in static HTML 8-9 years ago. travelagent probably did too. So did vangogh, I'll bet. But we all learned.

Shhhh -- you're giving away our ages!

That's not an issue for me. I'm only 12.

What exactly would I need to learn in order to code my own? PHP?

I'd be happy to just have the sidebar as a seperate space I can update without having to go through all the pages. That alone would save me a ton of time.

I've just made the whole thing as static website untill I can figure out how to make a CMS work for me. However, this is not fun since I have a lot of pages, and more coming evey week.

Yes; PhP is a good start, but don't expect to master it anytime soon -- like other languages / software, it takes diligence; patience; time; and trial-n-error to "get the hang" of it.

Well, as far as customization is concerned, I recommend going for Open Source scripts which we hack and make it work for you. And, I think Wordpress is a really good friends.

WordPress is for Blogs and is certainly not remotely suitable for CMS applications.

Tell that to the idiot "designers" out there who insist on using it for entire sites. Not just their own either...their customers' sites as well.

I know of one guy in particular who not only does it, he brags about it.

Anyone have some links to a few tutorials that may apply to what I want done? Like i said, I really just want that sidebar easily edited without going through all the pages.

But I need articles, or tutorials, or something that applies to this to learn how to do it. I'm not even sure what to google for.

silverpawz: that's going to depend on your CMS and site. There really isn't a tut that deals with "edit the left side navigation" as such.

"CMSMadeSimple" has a Forum, and plenty of FAQ's within their "Help" Documentation; have you bothered to dig into any of those to learn on your own, instead of wanting experienced Webmasters to just give you the code?