Exploring the Xoops CMS

Basic Frames

© kmit, Fotolia

© kmit, Fotolia

Article from Issue 103/2009
Author(s):

The lean Xoops CMS offers only basic functionality, but it is easy to extend.

Xoops (eXtensible Object-Oriented Portal System) was created more than eight years ago. What started life as a full-fledged Content Management System (CMS) was gradually honed down by its programmers to leave a basic set of functions, such as module management and the comment system. Everything else was swapped out into extensions. This process left a small, lean system that is easily modified to reflect your individual needs.

To install Xoops (say "Soups"), all you need is a run-of-the-mill web server with a MySQL database and PHP5 support. First, unpack the basic package on the server [1]. Then type your Internet site address in the browser and follow the instructions from the wizard this launches. Although you can answer most of the questions by clicking Next step, you will need to enter your database credentials: a username and administrative password. A total of 11 steps gives you a version of Xoops that is almost ready to roll out: The blank start page just shows two lonely fields on the left, asking you to log in (Figure 1).

Spicy Xoops

The method to this minimalism is that Xoops simply gives you the basic framework, and any other features you need – and this includes managing simple Internet pages – have to be added as separate modules. The Xoops homepage has a searchable catalog of third-party extensions [2]. To get started, just get an Articles or HTML/Static module, which lets you fill your homepage with text pages. After downloading, unpack the archive in the modules subdirectory below your Xoops installation and assign the write privileges required by the modules.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Download Article PDF now with Express Checkout
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

Related content

  • Desktop Tools: Slax

    With its novel package manager, Slax makes it simple to install new software and easy to build your own distributions.

  • Drupal

    The PHP-based Drupal framework makes dynamic websites simple. The modular system is extensible using free modules and the appearance is template-driven. In this article, we will be delving into Drupal’s range of functions and discussing installation and basic configuration.

  • Lightweight CMS Tools

    Would you like a content management system that's actually easy to manage? We take a closer look at some user-friendly CMS solutions, including Pluck, SkyBlueCanvas, and NanoCMS.

  • Fastfetch

    Almost all Linux graphical desktop environments integrate programs that provide users with system information. Fastfetch lets you route important system information to the terminal.

  • Admidio

    Admidio manages membership data online no matter what the platform and also manages event dates, times, and participants elegantly.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News