I’ve installed both scripts on my Windows XP Professional Desktop Computer for a University project. I use Apache2Triad for all my local testings, designs, developments and setups.
Less is more
The Joomla setup file (tar.gz) is about 1.9MB for version 1.0.13 and 3.12MB for the 1.5RC2. This is well above the 733KB and 935KB of Drupal version 5.2 and 6.0 beta 1 respectively. Joomla 1.5RC2 is 9.79MB when unpacked while Drupal 6.0 beta 1 is 2.87MB.
I’ve chosen the RC2 and the Beta 1 from Joomla and Drupal.
Setup
The setup went on quite smoothly with both products. Drupal even asked me to choose among pgsql or mysql. Joomla is bound to mysql (like wordpress, another tool I use a lot). I’ve studied pgSQL at the university and I’m pleased to see it in action somewhere, anyway, for the sake of comparison, I’ve chosen mySQL for both platform.
With Drupal the database must exist on your server before the script can be installed; Joomla created it. Also note that Joomla database, right after the installation, is about 200KB in 35 tables while Drupal is storing a good 700KB of mysql database in 46 tables.
Manual Adjustments
Remember to delete the installation folder after installing Joomla. Note that both scripts returned some sort of warnings: on my Windows machine, with the Apache2Triad server bundle, I had to set up chron jobs for Drupal. You have to change some apache/php setting for Joomla too but both will work just fine even if you “simply install them”.
Front-End
The Drupal initial layout is clean and tableless while Joomla is a little bit more “cluttered” and willing to “show off” all of its sample content. Drupal is XHTML 1.0 Strict while Joomla uses the Transitional DOCTYPE. Also I can see tables in the main template for Joomla.
Back-End
The back end interface of Joomla has a lot of options and can be confusing while the Drupal interface has a lot of powerful options presented in a clean and neat way. Both scripts come with lots of themes and modules to expand the scripts capabilities.
As I just finished installing both scripts, I’ll start using them and exploring their flexibility and features. Maybe I’ll post more on this. My advice? Try them out.
One Comment
Great Post! I’ve used Joomla 1.3 for a few sites, but am also wanting to try Drupal. I’m looking for comparisons between the latest versions of both so I can make an informed decision of what will work best for my upcoming projects. I think both are great tools each with different benefits. I’d like to become familiar enough with each to make my CMS choice based on client needs. I think I’ll join you in installing both for my next project.