Ok, I'm going to toss this one to the G&G community...please post your input on the comments of this post: Last week, I started this Joomla forum hoping that we'd all start to discover this CMS together. But, in the matter of a couple of days, it's turned into a "religious war zone" over which CMS is better. That wasn't the idea....
I never really anticipated this, but maybe I should have. It would be like me posting a "Mac vs. PC" forum on here...it would be a breeding ground for unnecessary argument that wouldn't help any church or ministry.
The thing is, MF and I are Drupal guys. We'll always be Drupal guys. So, I'm wondering if we should just focus the community here on Drupal. To me it comes down to: "Would we rather be fair or loving"? Would we rather offer potential for more CMS info while also offering a place where people will argue or should we just do what we do and remove the temptation for argument? Functionally, I'm considering the removal of the Joomla forum after just a couple days because I think it's possible that more hurt than help will surface there. (people could discuss joomla elsewhere in these forums, and that's fine)
This is kind of a philosophical question, and I'm going to let all of you make the call. So, vote/comment on what we should do below. Whatever you choose is what we'll do. But, above all, please remember the goal in all of this is LOVE and HELP for churches and ministries...and if software is getting in the way, think about what that means...
Your thoughts?
On a side note, on this Monday's podcast, MF and I talk about the possibility of a future Joomla series...but I'd be reconsidering that as well. Please comment on this whole philosophy shift of us offering info on the CMS we know vs. trying to be 'balanced' in all of this.
Path Forward
If we keep the forum and Joomla! discussions around there will be some rules put in place. While conversation and helping people is good this needs to always be done in love.
We will not have arguments over which CMS is better. That would be like arguing which is better between apples and oranges. It's subjective and there isn't a clear winner.
We definitely can discuss the two. I know when drupal 6 and Joomla 1.5 come out I'm going to do some down and dirty comparisons. Some about performance and different performance conditions. Some will be objective comparisons of features. And, others will be subjective comparisons of style. All of these can be done well as long as love and respect are maintained. As long as the goal is learning, helping, and good.
We will not attack other people. It distracts from the conversations at hand, treats other people poorly, and heads down a negative and bad road.
I don't like writing posts like this. I know that discussions about Joomla and drupal can happen in a positive and respectful way. They do around the drupal and Joomla communities all the time.
OK, so vote here. Then smile, enjoy the ride, and say a prayer for us, the other readers and listeners, the G&G podcast, and drupal and Joomla being used well for His kingdom.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com
Keep Joomla!
Oranges are definitely better than Apples!
I think keeping Joomla is a good idea. I think adding wordpress would also be all right, although there are lots more resources out there for WP than for Drupal or Joomla.
I seriously considered Joomla over Drupal. I chose Drupal because of the support through this site. With a Joomla section, folks might choose the easier initial set up of Joomla over the more custom options install of Drupal.
John
john-simons.com
Geeks, Drupal & God
Geeks, Drupal & God isn't the name of the podcast or web site.
I am totally a Drupal guy, but have a number of close friends who use Joomla (that sounds funny) and we all learn from each other's experiences. Providing a CMS for our users is the big picture solution that really matters..not so much what we choose. It is cool to learn about other CMS even though I may not ever use them.
Since the goal here is to educate and encourage technology in Christian ministries, I say let the Joomla forum stay. I am good with a Joomla series on the podcast too. I am sure we will all learn something.
Thanks,
Shrop
Keep the forum and cast about joomla
Keep the forum and the joomla episodes on future casts. I want to hear conversations about joomla and drupal. Matt and Rob talk about drupal because thats what they know. I hope some Grand Puba of joomla participates with their ideas on how to use Joomla in ministries and offers help for others. I think when we are posting about either CMS lets just pause a moment and think a little harder when we post and try not to bash one over the other.
We are all here for the same reason I hope. To learn about how to use technology in our church or ministries.
Both Drupal and Joomla are technologies which are tools we use to to get the Word out. Which ever method that works for you to get this task done, is the one you should probably use.
Hopefully we will all be here to lend a hand to get the task done for each ones ministry regardless of whichever method chosen.
Good input
Good input here guys....And just based on you two (since you're extremely active and dedicated to the G&G community), the Joomla stuff stays.
Thanks for your input!
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
I hope you keep the Joomla!
I hope you keep the Joomla! stuff, and add in WordPress, even. Just be a little more sensitive and don't overreact so much to constructive criticism.
Keep Joomla and Wordpress
Man, I feel like the guy that shot the archduke on this subject. Obviously people have strong feelings on it, and I didn't expect that.
But in a way, it makes perfect sense that open source projects would inspire this kind of loyalty. You have to be committed to the project or you wouldn't invest time in it. You develop relationships in the project and are proud of your contribution. Pretty soon you get to feel ownership and you take criticism (real or perceived) of the project very personally. It is very hard to be objective about something you are really invested in.
Still, I think you can do a real service for the community by leaving the new forums up. We can work through this, and will have our tunnel vision broadened in the process. I think most newbies won't come here with any preconceived ideas, they'll just want to do what is best for the Kingdom. And if we can all keep our eyes on that ball, we'll be fine.
If only...
If only people were as loyal to Gods plans as they are to their own...
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com
Keep Joomla!
Everyone has an opinion. And thats what it is. Generally what you have spent more time working on will be what you like better because you understand more of the intricacies of that CMS. I've tried Drupal and struggled with it, but that doesn't mean its not a great option. It's like a Mac vs. PC discussion. Its all about what you use it for.