As one of the leading open-source content management systems, Drupal boasts many different applications; from personal websites to corporate and even the White House. This is due to being flexible and powerful. Drupal is also known for its complicated administrative interface. As a result, Drupal creators released the 7th version which attempts to make the software more user-friendly. However, experts have mixed feelings on the usability characteristic.
Simple Installation
The installation is fairly simple and standard. The user is required to create a database, modify the configuration file and finish with a simple web-based installation. The installation process is extremely similar to WordPress; it is fast and easy. Following the installation, the program presents the administrator dashboard. For most end-users, they are not aware of the next step. At this point, the program is in the “just-installed” state which requires users to modify modules.
Easier to Use
Many professionals agree that Drupal 7 is actually easier to use and has more enhancements than other versions of Drupal, however the interface is the same. For instance, the management of modules is easier because it can be installed by specifying the URL for the zip file. However, to search for a specific module, a search through the Drupal community is required.
Read all Documents
To maximize productivity, it is important for new users to read through all documentation to become more familiar and comfortable with the system. For instance, a user could be tracking their website and receive a detailed and complicated log of activity. The frustrating aspect is that it will spit out this information without any indication as to how the system is collecting the data. Although the various nodes include a “Track” tab, it will provide this information even if it is not enabled.
The Shortcut Option
On the other hand, the system is, overall, much easier to use than previous versions. One innovative feature is the “shortcut” option which allows frequently used modules and applications to be placed on a shortcut list for easy access at a later time.
Overall, Drupal 7 is a much better content management system than its predecessors. The software is solid, flexible and powerful. If you have been waiting to publish your site, choose Drupal 7 as it will meet all your needs. However, if you are pondering upgrading to Drupal 7, wait a few months until the kinks are worked out.
