If you read any of my prior web projects, you may notice that when I create a web site I typically use a combination of Adobe® ColdFusion®, CSS, XHTML, Microsoft® SQL Server and then optimize the site to be compatible with Adobe® Contribute® which allows clients to update the "static" areas of the sites. Of course I typically also build a completely custom back-end for clients to update any of the more "dynamic" areas of the site such as products, services, news, calendar events, etc.

Well, recently my brother needed a web site. He's a missionary serving in India for the past nine (9) years and is also in the process of building an orphanage. For several years, he's struggled to keep his supporters updated via email and newsletters sent by regular mail. For obvious reason, he really needed a better way to communicate his message with current and potential supporters. Luckily, he has a brother who is a web developer (me!). Unfortunately, due to my workload, I had very little time to dedicate to building him a full-blown web site with all the bells and whistles ... "pro bono" of course. I really didn't want to short-change him.

Fortunately, I attended a presentation on Mura CMS at cf.Objective() 2009. Immediately following the presentation, I downloaded the FREE, open source ColdFusion project. I kept stopping by the Blue River Interactive Group table (the creators of Mura CMS) to ask them questions throughout the conference. Each of them were extremely helpful in answering any questions I had. We actually ended up getting to have dinner together too (thanks again guys!). So of course I just had to give Mura a try when I got back to the office.

Well, like everything else, I had to jump back into my work pile and carried on as normal. Until my brother came to visit for a brief time recently. He was very anxious in creating his web presence. I immediately knew Mura CMS would be just the ticket to help me get him up and running with as little time as possible.

After downloading the most recent version and poking around here and there, tweaking this and twisting that, we were able to launch his site in only two (2) days! Other than a completely static HTML/CSS site, I've never launched a "dynamic" site within that amount of time. Ever!

Now my brother has full control over his site. Not only can he add and modify content, he can even update the navigational structure of the site. I only had to show him how to use the editor, add/remove pages, etc. He was able to start contributing in no time at all.

I really need to mention that Mura is extremely flexible when it comes to design. For my brother's web site, I simply started with the baked-in "Merced" theme and made a few adjustments to the CSS. Nothing fancy either ... trust me ... I didn't have time. I added a custom rotating banner for the inside pages and a few other minor tweaks, but for the most part, that's all I needed to do.

Today, I'm using Mura CMS on my current project for a "paying" client. I'm also using a completely custom design without any problems either. Essentially, it's really just a custom "theme." Now that I've been able to get under the hood and do a few things, I'm learning how powerful Mura CMS really is. Heck, just take a look at their Back End Development section of the Developer Guides and see for yourself.

If you can't tell, I'm really pumped on Mura CMS. If anyone is interested in future blog posts on Mura CMS, please let me know!

Many thanks to the people at Blue River Interactive Group and Mura CMS! I couldn't have done this within the necessary timeframe without you.

Oh and thanks to my brother ... for his patience, enthusiasm and for serving Him.

Developer: Stephen Withington | Content Management System: Mura CMS

Another ColdFusion web site was launched for Just Rite Acoustics, Inc. located at www.justriteacoustics.com. In addition to acoustical ceilings, Just Rite offers "pre-manufactured acoustical wall panels, site-built acoustical wall systems, access floors and a specialty division that concentrates on difficult and unusual projects."

The site was originally built using tables and several images for the layout where most of the text was actually embedded into image slices. As you'll see, that has all changed. I've reconstructed the site using CSS, XHTML and of course Adobe® ColdFusion®.

In addition, we've added a fully customized back-end for the client to add or modify services, projects and even office locations.

A huge "Thank you!" goes out to Todd Sharp for his work on cfImageCropper which definitely came in handy on this project.

Congratulations Just Rite Acoustics on your web site facelift!

Developer: Stephen Withington

I arrived just in time for Blue River's presentation on Mura CMS - an open source ColdFusion CMS (formerly known as Sava) at the Twin Cities ColdFusion User Group meeting. There was a little time in the beginning to enjoy some pizza and soda while catching up with some old friends and meeting many others for the first time. The Mura presentation definitely piqued my interest and I will have to set aside some time to learn more about it after the conference. Did I mention Mura CMS is 100% free and 100% open source? If you've ever desired a CMS that can accommodate your custom design, then you might want to give Mura a good look.

Immediately following the CFUG meeting, I moved on over the the opening night reception (also sponsored by Blue River/Mura CMS). It was great to finally meet so many people I've been in contact with via twitter, blogs, email, phone, etc. It's funny, but it seems like half the crowd is a who's who among ColdFusion bloggers: Ben Nadel, Sean Corfield, Marc Esher, Dan Vega, Phil Nacelli, Dan Wilson, Adam Haskell, Jason Dean, Peter Bell, Mark Drew, Terry Ryan and several others. In addition to the bloggers, I've also met many other interesting ColdFusion developers. It's so cool to hear how other people are using ColdFusion and about the projects they're working on.

I'm looking forward to meeting many more people over the next few days here at cf.Objective() 2009 and hope to be able to blog about some of sessions I'll be attending. Stay tuned!