Joomla 1.5 and Joomla 2.5 - Stay or Move on

Joomla 2.5 is the latest Long Term Support version released by Joomla project and is here for at least till September 2013. It has lots of enhancements and progressions - more than 26 new features, and 4 security issues fixed. Also, the security release for the same i.e. 2.5.1 has come out already.

The most powerful features of Joomla 2.5 are Multi-Database Support, Database Fix, and Access Control List (ACL). Previously, it worked exclusively with MySQL, but now it also supports Microsoft SQL Server. In addition to that, the Database Version Fix button will check to see if your database is up-to-date with any database changes during upgrade, and will fix any error if encountered. With ACL one can create unlimited groups and assign desired access level permissions to the group such as edit, update, delete, publish, login etc. Other expedient features include:

1.    Update Notification: The admin panel notifies on recent Joomla updates as well as for all the installed extensions.
2.    In-built Captcha: With the integrated Captcha function, one can avoid the risk of    spamming.
3.    Unlimited nested categories: Allow adding unlimited subcategories easily.

Yes, the features are tremendous and splendid if you are starting a fresh site or you want a big website makeover. However, the eye brows are raised for those who are running massive site in Joomla 1.5.  As Joomla 2.5 has substantial change in structure that requires complete migration from the old site rather than just a one-click upgrade, there are few things to consider before moving to Joomla 2.5. The foremost things to consider are:

1.    To make the running template compatible in this new version (of course if you want the look and feel of the site to be same)
2.    To export 100% user data into new, this is most essential if you do not want to lose any of your user’s data.
3.    To make sure that all essential extensions, components and plug-ins used in the site are compatible with Joomla 2.5
4.   Backup, Backup, Backup

Having said that, there is no need to rush into Joomla 2.5 as Joomla 1.5 is still supported and security release will be available till April 2012. Moreover, as many prominent extensions are not yet compatible with Joomla 2.5, Joomla 1.5 at the present stage boasts a larger user base in comparison to Joomla 2.5. Besides, just with the release of Joomla 2.5 does not necessarily undermine the strength of Joomla 1.5 and make it obsolete. Joomla 1.5 is in itself a powerful CMS that has undergone chains of updates over the years which has made it reliable, secure and robust enough to handle most demands for a website.

We, the Gobingoo team, are as well working on releasing Listbingo and all other components and addons, compatible with Joomla 2.5. Alike Joomla 2.5, Listbingo 2.0 includes several handy features that will marvel you with each use. Furthermore, with the extensive use of jQuery in Listbingo 2.0 your site will be easy, flexible and aesthetic like never before.