Chris Kuiper
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Although Artisteer is an amazingly easy and exceptional fast and handy application for creating ready-to-use templates for the 4 most common CMS systems, I started to wonder if or when there will be compatility for the other free CMS called SilverStripe.
It´s gaining on popularity extremely fast, and also I am very impressed by the look and feel of this backend.
There is a site where you can download a couple of dozens templates, but to get the one you really want, means a dive into the studybooks. Since the templates among the CMSes (visually) don´t differ to much from eachother if you don´t know what the CSS and PHP all means, then it should be possible to addapt the SilverStripe codes into Artisteer as well.
But if a program exists where templates can be translated/exported/converted between the CMS formats, that would be already a big win, however, I couldn´t google anything about such.
Therefore, perhaps the Artisteer crew will be able to lend a hand in this, it will sure bring some customers to your program, since alot more people are dealing with this issue.
thanks in advance,
Chris
The Netherlands
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Dave Porter
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Hi Chris,
All I can say is - get on the end of the line....
There have been thousands of request for Artisteer to support the many-many other CMS's on the market - Artisteer would need a lot more resources/programmers to even add 2 or 3 more to the list! They can't even keep up with Wordpress, so your chances are very slim...
I would learn to take the exported html and turn the files into php and go through the docs on how to add silverstripe code!
all the best, Dave
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Chris Kuiper
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Hey Dave,
Thanks for the reply. I already imagined it would be a long shot.
The first tried I did writing my own code for SilverStripe turned out complete disasters, and I still don´t know how or why. Then I tried to modify an exisiting template, but somehow that didn´t worked for me either.
I´ll keep on trying, tough.
Perhaps one day....
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Nick
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QuickerSite is the only CMS that I know of that can take an Artisteer html template and automatically convert it and use it within 3 seconds. Other CMS should adapt their code to do the same, instead of depending Artisteer to add support for their software.
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Dave Porter
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Hi Nick,
If I've misunderstood please correct me...
But you want the CMS's to adjust their programs to cater for Artisteer ?
regards, Dave
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usajim
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Chris, check out ssbits website, for converting HTML templates to SilverStripe templates.
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Nick
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Hi Dave,
That is exactly what I'm saying. There are well over 10,000 CMS out there. It will be impossible for Artisteer to support them all. They have to adjust their software to Artisteer. According to the QuickerSite's developer, it is not that difficult for those who know how to code, and understand how the exported Aertisteer templates work. QuickerSite has done exactly that. We export the Artisteer templates as html, and the resulted zipped html template can be imported and instantly be available for use, just like you can do with Wordpress, Drupal, or Joomla.
QuickerSite is not free, but it is the most complete and easiest CMS to use. You can get a FREE hosted QuickerSite to test it. Trust me when I say, you will develop professional web sites with a fraction of the time you would need in any other CMS. The learning curve is not steep either, specially compared to Joomla. Furthermore, you can add your own code to it by constants and custom scripts on any page, or at any part of the page (sidebar, header, footer, etc...). My only attraction to wordpress is that it is free and easy to use, but not powerful. And with every upgrade some of the plug-ins become not compatible with the newer version. I need about 30 plug-ins to get all the features that QuickerSite has. It also sports Innova Sudio or FCK Editor as the editors, which are much better if you ask me. With all the software choices I keep returning to QuickerSite as my MS choice to develop web sites for customers.
I have no affiliation with QuickerSite other the fact that I'm a happy customer and have a great relationship with the developer. I fully support and recommend Artisteer too, but their customer service is not very good...
I think Artisteer should provide some sort of a roadmap to developers to make their software compatible with Artisteer (just like QuickerSite has done). Then the financial potential of Artisteer will multiply exponentially.
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usajim
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Fair enough, QuickerSite - as a marketing tool - has made it possible to import the Artisteero HTML templates and convert them to work with QuickerSite. ...It would be a good challenge for Drupal or Joomla to do that too, I suppose, but Artisteer already outputs these templates!  So, I guess if other CMS' want to compete a bit - against a paid program - they should consider adding this feature. Otherwise, just pay some cheap developer on oDesk (no offense to the developers!) to convert your template for you. You would spend a LOT LESS than 99 euro's to get that work done on oDesk. Sound like a plug for oDesk over QuickerSite? Don't know. Do I work for oDesk? You figure it out. Is Nick trolling for business from Artisteer customers for QuickerSite? You be the judge.
...By the way, it appears that QuickerSite is using an Artisteer template right now!
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usajim
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It also appears - based on the following statement on their site:
"(**) Limited Offer ! You get a copy of Artisteer Home and Academic Edition for FREE if you buy a single site license of QuickerSite!"
that QuickerSite is dependent on the Artisteer templating, otherwise they would not be willing to cut so deep into their profit.
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Nick
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QuickerSite does NOT depend on Artisteer to create templates. It has a build in Template system (so you can upload a header image, footer, etc...). You can also create a template from scratch, or adapt any template you can find from a free CSS template web site. However, nobody does better, nicer and easier templates than Artisteer. Artisteer is almost ideal in making templates, that's why QuickerSite has adapted to Artisteer 100%. QuickerSite was around before Artisteer, but now with it, it is much better.
Am I selling QuickerSite? QuickerSite is a "one man band". His name is Pieter, and he lives in Belgium. He is the most helpful developer that I have ever met. Me on the other hand, I'm in Los Angeles, CA.
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usajim
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So in other words, you are the US counterpart for the business. Okay, I get it.
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Dave Porter
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This Pieter guy really rubbed the regular visitors up the wrong way a few months ago by using these forums to try to promote his product! He finally go the message and disappeared - so it looks like he is getting others to promote his QuickerSite!
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Pieter
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Dave, I have never promoted QuickerSite here. I just wanted to make clear how easy any CMS can be configured to work with Artisteer templates, even when they are not officially supported. Meantime, MojoPortal has gone the same way.
Artisteer is pointing other CMS vendors to QuickerSite when they ask to be included. I strongly doubt Artisteer will ever support any other CMS, other than the ones they currently support. They even might want to drop some, because they are barely used.
QuickerSite and Artisteer have a 99% match. That is because both applications make things easy instead of complicated. But QuickerSite accepts any other template as well. QuickerSite is not married with Artisteer.
I'm sorry to hear you don't like QuickerSite. But I'm very proud of what I did with QuickerSite so far. QuickerSite is a hobby. My real job is internet consultant and web developer for various customers.
BTW, while i was writing this, I sold 2 more licenses. Not bad for a hobby. That makes some people very jealous I'm sure.
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Dave Porter
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http://www.artisteer.com/?post_id=116796&p=forum_post
& countless others...
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usajim
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What I do see is that because of "Nick" (or is it Pieter?), this thread on SilverStripe was hijacked. Nice of a paid program to hijack a thread on an open source program.
...The great thing about Artisteer is that it is MAINLY focusing on template design for OPEN SOURCE programs! That's the really COOL thing!
From Joomla to Drupal to Wordpress - all open source! - Artisteer is amazing!
So, what someone wanted was help with templates for ANOTHER OPEN SOURCE CMS! Good for you, Chris Kuiper, for wanting help with that! BAD for Nick and Pieter for hijacking this thread to promote their PAID program!
Pieter, you can always repent and change your license to GPL! We'll forgive you! ))
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usajim
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Chris Kuiper, here you go:
http://www.ssbits.com/building-a-theme-from-a-static-template/
That's what I was referring to, with regard to ssbits, earlier in the thread.
I imagine you could take an Artisteer HTML template and try to use the tutorial and see if you can get some good results.
Hopefully eventually Artisteer will include SilverStripe, CMS Made Simple and others.
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Chris Kuiper
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Thanks a bunch, usajim.
Your kind of replies is what will make the world a better place, to resolve a problem better than to sell a new one.
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usajim
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You're welcome, Chris! Let me know how it goes.
I do personally love the SilverStripe CMS and see a lot of potential in it, because of the templating system. I was a bit frustrated with some of the bugs and functionality, however.
I started out watching SilverStripe at 2.3.something and was pleased as it progressed to 2.3.4. Now, they released 2.4.0 and the .1 release. The modules need to catch up. There are some really cool modules in the SVN that I am hoping will get more usable.
There's an html import module that should be worked on more. Drupal has the best html import module I have seen. I tested the one for Wordpress. It works "okay" but you will be blown away by how good the Drupal one is.
I think for admin interface, SilverStripe is really friendly, especially if you are concerned about your customer or user that you made the site for. But, the problem with SilverStripe is that it does not do a good job of hiding functionality for users that really don't need it. WordPress does a good job of this. Drupal, even better.
Over-all, my highest recommendation is that you try to get into Drupal. I recommend that you go here and use this packaged distribution of Drupal, which will accelerate your learning curve:
http://acquia.com/products-services/acquia-drupal
It IS free. They do have a paid version, but it is not necessary and A LOT of people use Acquia Drupal, including myself!
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usajim
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And by the way, Nick, it looks like such a thing for Drupal is already on the way:
http://drupal.org/project/theme_generator
Not that Drupal will need it, because Artisteer already generates Drupal themes. Who needs QuickerSite - a paid program - when you have an amazing and FREE / Open Source CMS - like Drupal.
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Nick
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Thanks usajim,
I use Windows servers, so drupal is not an option for me. I use Wordpress and Joomla, and now I did try SilverStripe. I could not find a way to embed javascript code into it, as the editor changes the code.
Again though, my choice would be QuickerSite, specially since I would be passing the cost onto my clients, and I feel the most comfortable with. There are many CMS out there. It is a matter of personal preference and which one is best for you. The reason why I talked about it extensively was because Dave asked me, and I wanted to share my experience with it. They have a FREE light version of it also, and also a FREE hosted version, if you want to give it a chance. Other than that, Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress are all fine, open source solutions. Trust me when I say, I have no business affiliations with any of these. I just help and asked to be helped when needed. I just make web sites for my own clients.
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usajim
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Nick, you are really showing how uneducated you are now. You use Windows servers, so Drupal is not an option for you? Where have you been? PHP has been compatible on Windows for a LONG time and Drupal is a PHP CMS! I have Drupal installed on my Windows computer right now and can use it localhost, no problem! Same with SilverStripe! Same with WordPress! Same with Joomla! Give me a break!
Why not pass less costs to your customers and let them use robust open source FREE CMS'! I think you are cheating your customers and they ought to dump you.
As for so called "Lite"?! Hah! I have the full version of Drupal, Joomla and WordPress. No lite there! I don't need your "lite" version. I can do anything through Open Source.
I don't trust you, that's the point. You make uneducated, illogical points and then tell me that you are not affiliated with QuickerSite. I don't believe it.
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Nick
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Directly from Drupal's web site:
Drupal core will work using IIS 5, IIS 6, or IIS 7 if PHP is configured correctly.
To achieve clean URLs you may need to use a third party product. For IIS7 you can use the Microsoft URL Rewrite Module or a third party solution.
When using Drupal on IIS 7 with fastcgi you must install Hotfix kb954946, or wait until the hotfix appears in a package update (recommended). KB954946 was included in Windows 2008 Server SP2.
Godaddy does not even attempt to install it on it's Windows servers.
I'm not going to respond to the other classless comments.
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usajim
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Nick, you make yourself look more foolish, more and more with each response.
#1, No one respects Godaddy. It's the point and click hosting for the totally inexperienced site owner.
#2, Any real webmaster can install needed software or libraries for their customers. And quite honestly, all serious webmasters use Linux hosting anyway. But, if someone really insists on Windows hosting, the software can be installed to get PHP working very easily.
Really, your comments have lacked real class the whole time. You're simply trolling here. Go away.
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Dave Porter
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Nick, (Pieter) you are sounding more and more like you are selling something!
Please go away !
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Isaah
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I agree this is no newbie forum. We dont need people advising us to use godaddy or how to install specific software. Lets just stick to relevant Artisteer discussion please.  
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Chris Kuiper
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Who´s godaddy?
About the paid kind of CMS is this. here in Holland there are a lot of webdesigners who´ll make you a very nice template, with all the fuzz and buzz you´d like to see on it for between €500 up to €1500 depending on the special modules you´d like to see.
It´s a template you buy, and is yours completely, everything they program is on your license. Catch is, is that it´s used on their own special, I think, selfbuild CMS, that they keep for theirself. You can´t take the CMS with you when you leave them, so for that money you get a template, a domain name and space on their hostingservers using their CMS. This CMS is never an open-source, and if it is, you can´t tell which one because it´s all nicely masked, where you even from the templates layout css can´t tell which cms is used, as long as you haven´t tried all those 1000´s of free ones. And the thing is, this way of marketing works. You have a client and you keep a client as long as it keeps depending on outsourced companies like these.
So I think that this Quickersite could be one of those CMS made for these kind of companies, since the hobby and singleperson companies designers use the free-for-all kind above paid cms to press costs for the clients, as well to offer this free-to-go service, which I vote for, we don´t need more cartel forming as there are already are.
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Chris Kuiper
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oh, and yes USAJIM, i picked SilverStripe because of the people I make the site for. people who are a bit older and got close to getting a heartattack when I showed them the Joomla! backend.
Silverstripe is the most user-friendly backend I have seen for free, and something I can get these nice folk to use. There will not be much programming on them, just some articles to write, here and there a pictures. For a forum and picture gallery I use external programs like Zenphoto and phpBB, Zenphoto because it´s userfriendly without tons of options and phpBB because of it´s reliablity and self containing options.
i also did this to be independent from the CMS, if I want to change CMS, i don´t need to re-install and remake all the galleries and forum-input, only the newest articles. Keeping the old ones as history in txt format.
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usajim
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@Chris Kuiper - I agree completely with both of your posts.
I would also recommend two other CMS' that may come in handy for simple customers. One is CMS Made Simple. I think you would like it. It is powerful, yet easy to use too.
Even more simple and easy to use, for the customer (but takes a bit more work on your part to set-up), is Wolf CMS, which is a fork of Frog CMS. Frog CMS is a PHP variant of Radiant CMS which is a Ruby based CMS. But Frog CMS was moving WAY too slow, maybe even dead, so Wolf CMS started up and they are doing a GREAT job.
CMS Made Simple uses Smarty Templates. You could convert an Artisteer template to be used with Smarty, I think. I haven't tried it yet, but I believe it is doable.
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Chris Kuiper
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CMS Made Simple and Wolf CMS, I´ll give ´m a try.
Thanks again usajim!
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Jo
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Can some moderator please remove the advertising in this thread? They have been spamming around before.
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