So I’ve started “digging” into WordPress and like what I see so far. I did have a application error installing a plugin yesterday but after refreshing the page, all was well. I will say - and I may be clueless so far – that Joomlas theme (template) and plugin (component) installation process is a lot easier. I’m new to it all so I may be completely off base but from what I’ve seen so far suggests my opinion.
What I’ve noticed so far: the two major differences between WordPress and Joomla are 1) WordPress themes (templates) are much easier to customize and edit than with Joomla, and 2) The user experience with the actual WordPress application is very user-friendly and WORLDS beyond what Joomla offers.
When I first started using Joomla there was a slight learning curve. The administrator interface was a little overwhelming at first. I’m a pretty intuitive person and very keen on learning software applications straight from the install but with Joomla there was a slight frustration. I would be completely overwhelmed if I were a non-tech-savy content contributor. With WordPress however – and quite possibly cause I’ve had experience with a CMS – I was very comfortable with the interface. It all made sense.
In the last couple of days since the install, this has been my experience. It’s been great and I think WordPress has the right approach to a content management system. I like it a lot and don’t think the transition was a major deal. Hopefully this weekend I’ll have a little more time to really start developing an awesome theme and get this site off the ground.