Well, I enjoy using it. It works out of the box, you can add blogs, news, spam protection, complex file management, galleries, forums and other useful things almost immediately.

You can build a really useful web site, really quickly, that has plenty of ‘flavour’, really usable admin tools (for them pesky users) and most of the expected functionality (like blogs and stuff) readily available.

If you are ok with CSS, it’s pretty easy to turn a default black-candy install into something so different without doing anything to the code/sapphire core and almost nothing to templates.

When you get jiggy with it, it’s pretty easy to override the core components, like option buttons and other form controls, to get the look and formatting you need.

Ok, what isn’t so good about it?

Well, I’ve never really had an issue with the community, because I’ve either found an [already available] easy answer to my dumb question or I’ve read the source code. But I can see why people get all uptight when they want to be spoon fed a solution.

I’d like to see a few ‘crib sheets’ for template options and a bit more uniformity in the documentation.

I’m not intending to try and convince anyone who doesn’t like it, how great SilverStripe is, but it works for me and I’m happy to recommend it.

Yes the CMS is based on some great ideas but:
* the community is puny in comparison to WordPress/Drupal
* there are almost no plugins
* plugins are poorly maintained
* there are almost no templates
* the back-end is heavy on javascript and is impossible to operate over low bandwidth connections
* documentation is outdated/not there

Yes yes yes. Puny community, forums clogged with “Newsletter doesn’t work since my last upgrade, help?” (replace Newsletter with the module of your choice) , too-clever bloated AJAX site management tools which hammer your database if your browser hangs on the intricate javascript, abandoned modules, never mind poorly maintained … out of date documentation…

I really REALLY /want/ to like SilverStripe … but I don’t.

I’ve implemented dozens of WordPress installations. I currently operate, over 50 at last count, WordPress.org and WordPress.com blogs; with several built as blog/site combos. I like WordPress and don’t plan to divert from it; as a major blog tool.

I’ve built several Joomla sites (30+) and like the CMS. But it’s not for the feint of heart. Once you ‘get it’, Joomla’s a workable CMS. But it’s not something you can develop and turn loose on a ‘non technical user base’.

Although Drupal is very extensible, I personally never got into it. It took too much effort and Joomla was frankly easier. So it got my attention. I know a number of developers (my son being one) who love it. In my assessment – based on my limited experience, it is not an easy system to actually ‘work with’. And when I say ‘work with’, I’m not referring to the population of ‘gear-heads’ that work in the site setup. I’m talking about – how easy is it to ‘work with’, for the people who will need to populate the content and – as needed – add a module, maniuplate a theme function, etc. This is where the ‘trouble’ starts and controversy begins on any CMS tool.

Too many people fail to make the distinction between the two (2) major populations of people who will likely be involved in the use of a site based on CMS.

Population 1 -The Developers. These are the tech-savvy folks who are commonly used to dealing with the quirks and intricacies of PHP, CSS, XML, XHTML, HTML, MySQL, Javascript, etc. This population – of course will not see the ‘same problems’ that Poplation 2 will see.

Population 2 – The Actual ‘User-Base’ , those who will be charged with adding content, maintaining the site and adding additional new plug-ins or updating existing elements of the extensible framework. The are the people who will have to USE the property when the developers release it. This population might be made up of tech-savvy people; have a tech-savvy person around … but it’s not likely. Thus, when they are faced with any involvement with ‘code’ or site technology, they are stuck and the results wil NOT be pretty.

I am in or have been in – all the areas mentioned above. So, I see the needs. I feel the limitations. I understand the strengths and weaknesses of a CMS from all major points of interest. They ALL have their problems, limitations and short-coming. None of them are perfect. We need to keep this in mind when discussing new products.

From what I see of Silver Stripe the developers are answering a number of the ongoing requests and common sense needs of developing on a CMS platform.

I get a real chuckle from the range of comments made here. They follow much the same patterns likely seen in typical comment venues like this.

Andrew’s article was well done. I appreciated reading his comments. I’m interested in giving SS a go. I have one installation under development. I’ve found some hitches, but they have more to do with my lack of familiarity with the SS layout. A bit more time and I know the problems will dissolve.

But when you have the mix of comments here ranging from “SS is the greatest thing since sliced bread’, to “SS is shit-on-a-stick’, it’s really difficult to sort usable comments and worthless BS. Especailly when the reader is already confused.

By and large, the comments have been quite favorable and for the most part helpful.

I see comments made with good thought and the understanding that there are people reading this article who really want a solid, factual report. Not just someones BS. It’s also obvious some of the comments, from those who, if asked, would consider themselves as pros in development, are obviously, not made by pros.

You may be building sites, charging for the service and product, and accepting compensation. Businesswise that will put one in ‘pro’ status; meaning you’re operating as a professional. But in no way does it necessarily indicate a professional level of proficiency in the products used, the business conducted, or at a pro level of comment valuel

Good luck to those venturing into CMS tools; into using Silver Stripe; and to us all as we work our way though the changing landscape in front of us.

very nice Post!
Thanks for sharing all the Information!

The good folks at SilverStripe are active on their forum and there are several community members who are quite helpful and knowledgeable about the inner workings if you’re needing to dig deep in the code.

Yes the CMS is based on some great ideas but:
* the community is puny in comparison to WordPress/Drupal
* there are almost no plugins
* plugins are porely maintained
* there are almost no templates
* the back-end is heavy on javascript and is impossible to operate over low bandwidth connections
* documentation is outdated/not there

Till this changes your better off sticking with WordPress as it makes live much easier…

The only downfall is their shopping cart — it doesn’t come with a lot of what I feel are standard features.

In a nutshell, it’s awesome CMS and once it develops its shopping cart SilverStripe will be a showstopper.