Question

We are in the process of implementing a CMS for our project which currently extensively uses asp.net master pages and css. Also the application is data-driven and controls like gridview and listview are used. After a little search we zeroed on two CMS dotnetnuke and umbraco. Now my question is:

1. Which one of the two CMS is best suited and easy to use?
2. Do they support integration of existing code and UI’s

Please provide links for further reference.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

As far as the integration goes its very complicated to integrate an existing application with it CMS, especially if it is dynamic and uses controls like gridview etc. Here I share link for:

1. Problems in integration of existing application with dotnetnuke
2. When to use dotnetnuke
3. Dotnetnuke vs Umbraco

Further I quote the following comparisons between the two:

Both have the advantage of being open source programs, which means they are constantly updated and improved. There are many plugins and applications created by a core of invested users, increasing functionality and removing bugs with regularity.

Still, there are plenty of differences, as anyone who has used both systems will note.

Here are some things to consider about Umbraco:

• It can be edited in Microsoft Word, making for easy editing for most users.
• There are OSS or commercial install options
• A high-quality, highly functional CMS
• Install gives you a blank page – no template, not much of anything else – This means plenty of freedom and flexibility – freedom to succeed or freedom to fail. Success of a site is entirely up to a developer, meaning you must have a highly qualified and creative developer who also knows legal compliance and standards compliance.
• Umbraco has high requirements for hosting, so it is difficult to find a “shared” hosting environment that will support it
• Still working on good ecommerce solutions
• Version 4 has better support for Safari and Firefox
• There are good plugins available, and a management system built into Umbraco

By contrast, here are some items to consider about DotNetNuke:

Has a proprietary feel, despite being open source

• Dot NET developers like it, those who are not dot NET developers have trouble with it
• Based on Microsoft’s ASP.NET, which is the most popular web technology currently
• Cheap to use and reduces total development costs – no ongoing licensing fees
• Full access to source code so it can be altered to fit individual organizations
• Can manage text, image, documents, links, events, news, banner ads and threaded info
• Supports multiple websites
• Installs easily
• Can manage site hosting, content, security, web design and membership in one program
• Multi-language ability
• Fully extensible and scalable
• User friendly interface and intuitve site wizards, help icons and interface for those familiar with Dot NET

Hope this helps.