Learning to hate Wordpress Today
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This is a rant... but -
// Rant Start
I've been working on a site recently, and the management team (along with my buy-in) decided to do the site in Wordpress.
I haven't really themed more than a blog's header in Wordpress in a couple years, but figured it wouldn't be too bad.
It reminds me of Drupal. Lots of files, lots of what seems like unnecessary code.
So - Using their base theme as a starting point, there are 11 content types, with 3 sidebar includes and the usual header / footer includes. That didn't include files for archive, author, category, comments etc. I know the base theme tries to cover all the bases, but it seemed overkill. I now realize the amazing cleanliness of using custom templates for content display.
Also - there isn't an obvious logic as to when one is used over the other. I'm so used to defining in C5 what design/layout a page will use that it seems backwards in Wordpress.
"Blocks" or Widgets in wordpress. So I'm running the latest version of wordpress, and want to have some blocks on the sidebar on some pages, and some not. This is so part of the core of C5 that I didn't even think this would be an issue. When looking for a plug-in to manage widgets, I found 4 that looked like they would work.
The most promising didn't work for ver 3.x of wordpress so that's out. The other two had reviews saying they didn't work. The last one looked fine, except you had to use PHP code and "widget logic" to determine where the blocks would appear. That ultimately means my client will never be able to modify where his block goes.
Anyways - just wanted to let you guys know that I really appreciate Concrete5, and that my experience with this wordpress site has left me loving C5 that much more.
// end Rant
- Phil
// Rant Start
I've been working on a site recently, and the management team (along with my buy-in) decided to do the site in Wordpress.
I haven't really themed more than a blog's header in Wordpress in a couple years, but figured it wouldn't be too bad.
It reminds me of Drupal. Lots of files, lots of what seems like unnecessary code.
So - Using their base theme as a starting point, there are 11 content types, with 3 sidebar includes and the usual header / footer includes. That didn't include files for archive, author, category, comments etc. I know the base theme tries to cover all the bases, but it seemed overkill. I now realize the amazing cleanliness of using custom templates for content display.
Also - there isn't an obvious logic as to when one is used over the other. I'm so used to defining in C5 what design/layout a page will use that it seems backwards in Wordpress.
"Blocks" or Widgets in wordpress. So I'm running the latest version of wordpress, and want to have some blocks on the sidebar on some pages, and some not. This is so part of the core of C5 that I didn't even think this would be an issue. When looking for a plug-in to manage widgets, I found 4 that looked like they would work.
The most promising didn't work for ver 3.x of wordpress so that's out. The other two had reviews saying they didn't work. The last one looked fine, except you had to use PHP code and "widget logic" to determine where the blocks would appear. That ultimately means my client will never be able to modify where his block goes.
Anyways - just wanted to let you guys know that I really appreciate Concrete5, and that my experience with this wordpress site has left me loving C5 that much more.
// end Rant
- Phil
It is a great Blogging platform. I still have a difficult time deciding how to handle blogging with Concrete5.
Up until today, I WASN'T the hugest fan in regards to how concrete5 handles files, but after working with Wordpress, I can't believe there isn't the robustness of tagging and sets.
Concrete5 wins again in that round.
In regards to their monetizing - they also have plugins you need just to use custom css when hosted at wordpress. I guess that's fine if you like having the same theme as a million other people.
Up until today, I WASN'T the hugest fan in regards to how concrete5 handles files, but after working with Wordpress, I can't believe there isn't the robustness of tagging and sets.
Concrete5 wins again in that round.
In regards to their monetizing - they also have plugins you need just to use custom css when hosted at wordpress. I guess that's fine if you like having the same theme as a million other people.
Good timing on this post! I'm working on a site right now where I was contemplating using WP as the blogging engine... but I just didn't think I wanted to have to deal with the issue of getting up-to-speed on WP. And then have to continue supporting/upgrading both C5 and WP for this small site.
Pro Blog, or one of the other blogging Add-Ons are looking really good right now. Or maybe even just the out-of-the-box blogging components combined with Composer in v5.5!
I'm steering clear of WP for as long as I can! LOL!
Pro Blog, or one of the other blogging Add-Ons are looking really good right now. Or maybe even just the out-of-the-box blogging components combined with Composer in v5.5!
I'm steering clear of WP for as long as I can! LOL!
If it's any consolation I too am feeling that pain this week, although probably on a much smaller level.
I hear you! I always thought that I just bashed WP because I didn't know it as well as Concrete 5. Many people haven't heard of C5 and think I'm nuts when I mention its my main platform. Well, having started working pretty deeply in WP (because it's a job and it pays..), I have to agree. Unless you are just blogging, then what's the point? It is so klugey and band-aided. I don't know what the fuss is about! While its all the same technology, the structure is just wonky with its widgets over there, but it may show up on a page or on a sidebar, but the sidebar is part of the page...and I haven't quite found a backup yet. I suppose I've got plenty more to learn, but give me C5 any day.
Oh, and the few times I've convinced friends to move over, they are more than grateful for the introduction.
I wish I could find a good unbiased review so I could show my clients that C5 is a better choice.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant late on a Sunday night!
Oh, and the few times I've convinced friends to move over, they are more than grateful for the introduction.
I wish I could find a good unbiased review so I could show my clients that C5 is a better choice.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant late on a Sunday night!
I use Wordpress and one other CMS that I design themes for. I am not sure why, but I kind of been searching the web for reasons to leave WP or dedicate my focus to something better. I don't hate it, in fact I have a profound understanding of WP. I have learned how to add several features without the use of plugins. Unfortunately, plugins are a necessary evil if you are not a skilled PHP dev.
The first mistake you made was trying to use the theme that it came with to create your child theme. I agree; it has an abundance of useless files that are not required. I can attribute this condition to what I have coined "Developer-itis". The developer of this theme wants to show how smart he is by going above and beyond. However, what they should focus on going above and beyond with are standard functions; like built in breadcrumb, pagination for post and pages and most of all Taxonomy, Taxonomy, Taxonomy...
The first mistake you made was trying to use the theme that it came with to create your child theme. I agree; it has an abundance of useless files that are not required. I can attribute this condition to what I have coined "Developer-itis". The developer of this theme wants to show how smart he is by going above and beyond. However, what they should focus on going above and beyond with are standard functions; like built in breadcrumb, pagination for post and pages and most of all Taxonomy, Taxonomy, Taxonomy...
I have been asked to update a website that is currently in Wordpress and has no business being a blog. I have convinced the business owners that Concrete5 is a much better option for them and that they will be able to update it themselves.
Is it a simple process of deleting the Wordpress files from File Manager in cPanel and then installing Concrete5?
It is a small site, so most of the wording and photos need to be redone, and starting from scratch is not really a problem.
Adele
Is it a simple process of deleting the Wordpress files from File Manager in cPanel and then installing Concrete5?
It is a small site, so most of the wording and photos need to be redone, and starting from scratch is not really a problem.
Adele
Short answer...
...YES
Remove all trace of WP and old DB, create a nice new database and install C5.
...YES
Remove all trace of WP and old DB, create a nice new database and install C5.
Ack! No. I never install a site at the web root...always in some directory, often I call it site. You never know when things will change or what you have to move. Also, the client's site needs to be up while you develop it. I usually create a subdirectory called dev, install it into some directory, and then change it (there are threads in how to do this) when it's ready.
PS this note is edited from two previous replies
PS this note is edited from two previous replies
Deleted msg see above
Hi, and thank you for your replies.
I have installed C5 and getting a 404 error and the .htaccess file includes "BEGIN WordPress
# IMPORTANT!!! DO NOT DELETE!!! - BEGIN Wordpress above or END WordPress - text in this file"
This is outside of my experience with C5 installs.
Should I delete this file (like the other Wordpress files) and upload again? Does Concrete5 then create a new .htaccess, or is there a code I could use to replace the contents of this one?
(I know this is not really the right thread for these questions, but the one I found did not have any replies.)
Thanks again
Adele
I have installed C5 and getting a 404 error and the .htaccess file includes "BEGIN WordPress
# IMPORTANT!!! DO NOT DELETE!!! - BEGIN Wordpress above or END WordPress - text in this file"
This is outside of my experience with C5 installs.
Should I delete this file (like the other Wordpress files) and upload again? Does Concrete5 then create a new .htaccess, or is there a code I could use to replace the contents of this one?
(I know this is not really the right thread for these questions, but the one I found did not have any replies.)
Thanks again
Adele
If it only has Wordpress stuff in it, just rename it to .htacessx or htaccesswordpress.txt or something.
-----Original Message-----
From: concrete5 Community [mailto:discussions@concretecms.com]
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 4:55 AM
To: spryal@comcast.net
Subject: Learning to hate Wordpress Today : Chit-Chat
-----Original Message-----
From: concrete5 Community [mailto:discussions@concretecms.com]
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 4:55 AM
To: spryal@comcast.net
Subject: Learning to hate Wordpress Today : Chit-Chat
Adele that depends (.htaccess). If you have installed C5 in a sub-directory you shouldn't be having an issue. If you have C5 at the root, delete those lines from the .htaccess file and you should be ok.
As Susan and 55webdesign mentioned, make sure you have created a nice clean DB and directed your C5 install to that db.
Keep at it.
Bill
As Susan and 55webdesign mentioned, make sure you have created a nice clean DB and directed your C5 install to that db.
Keep at it.
Bill
As I said in my previous post, delete ALL traces of WP.
New .htaccess content will be created if turn on 'pretty url's' or if you decide to add stuff yourself, like gzip or caching.
You do not need rename anything or use a sub directory, only makes things over complicated and messy.
Do a spring clean, start with a clean slate, it will make building and maintaining a whole lot easier.
New .htaccess content will be created if turn on 'pretty url's' or if you decide to add stuff yourself, like gzip or caching.
You do not need rename anything or use a sub directory, only makes things over complicated and messy.
Do a spring clean, start with a clean slate, it will make building and maintaining a whole lot easier.
I just don't get WP for a website - it is a million miles from the WSYIWYG paradigm.
I develop in Visual Studio normally but had to a website for a customer where they could edit the content - C5 was the best platform I found for that (independent of hosting)
and I am trying to spread the word!
I develop in Visual Studio normally but had to a website for a customer where they could edit the content - C5 was the best platform I found for that (independent of hosting)
and I am trying to spread the word!
around why they like or don't like stuff.
I still maintain wordpress is an awesome blogging platform. As I understand
it their business is setup to be a media company monitizing the free
content of bloggers. I believe people use it as a CMS because they
originally did need a blog, it did well as a blog, and it was just easier
to start adding more and more stuff as pages than it was to go CMS
shopping.
The more education we can do on the difference between building bigger
sites with concrete5 vs. wordpress the better things will be for everyone.
best wishes
Franz Maruna
CEO - concrete5.org
http://about.me/frz