Articles - Page 108

Agentic AI for Agencies in 2026

bmckeiver

<a href="https://buttercms.com/">ButterCMS</a> is an API-based or “headless” CMS enabling developers to query the Butter API to pull content into the app, using any tech stack of choice such as <a href="https://buttercms.com/angular-cms/">Angular</a> or <a href="https://buttercms.com/react-cms/">React</a>.
ButterCMS eliminates the need for setup and configuration and has a pre-defined data structure optimized to handle a variety of content. Developers can use their preferred tools and frameworks to build interfaces for marketing teams. Creating different content delivery channels is achieved with minimal effort.  Marketers and non technical users can easily create and edit content without concern for different channels, administration issues and technical aspects.
Users experience a faster and more responsive application while consuming high quality content on any delivery channel. In continuing to simplify content management and provide high performance, here are some product updates since our last post.
<h2>New Knowledge Base</h2>
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/buttercms_knowledgebase.png" alt="Butter CMS Knowledge Base" /><figcaption>Butter CMS Knowledge Base</figcaption></figure>
ButterCMS launched a brand new knowledge base, a repository for How to’s, FAQ’s, different uses cases and examples on Write API.  The objective is to gain the most value from Butter by 
investigating all the different features, capabilities and discovering new Butter use cases. This knowledge base highlights other ideas for  maximum value with Butter beyond blogging.
<h3>New RegEx Validation Field Validations</h3>
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/specific-patterns_v1.png" alt="Butter CMS RegEx Validation Field" /><figcaption>Butter CMS RegEx Validation Field Validations</figcaption></figure>
With our recent additions to set the minimum/maximum length for a short text field in a long text field, we have now enhanced the fields to use specific patterns (technically regular expressions). This means the content editor can set the format for how the specific short text should be formulated.  So for example, if an email address is needed in the short field, you can specify that pattern to be the pattern of an email address.  Users are required to put in the correct text answer of the needed information.
In addition to the default patterns to choose from (E-mail, URL, US Phone number, US Zip Code), users can also select, ‘Custom’ and designate your own pattern. This is a very powerful feature as one can customize and require the answers to be the exact data needed while reducing time and error.
<h3>Previewing Blog Posts</h3>
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/blog_post_preview_v1-1.png" alt="Butter CMS Blog Post Preview URL" /><figcaption>Butter CMS Blog Post Preview URL</figcaption></figure>
ButterCMS has improved the blog post tool by adding the preview draft post functionality.  Content editors can easily view draft blog posts, after pressing the preview button and make changes before the post goes live.
Butter CMS is an API-driven CMS enabling developers to use modern technologies to build websites and applications. The goal is to launch the CMS capability faster so users can focus more on the business.
<h3>Wrap up</h3>
A headless CMS presents itself as a developer friendly alternative to traditional CMS's like WordPress.  ButterCMS has a pre-defined data structure optimized to handle a variety of content while also eliminating the need for set up and configurations. Providing localization, multi-site support and search engine optimization, developers can use their preferred tech stacks to build interfaces. Marketers can easily create and edit content without having technical skills. If you’re wondering if a headless CMS is a right fit for your project, ButterCMS offers a 30-day free trial for you to try out and provide content migration support if you’re moving from an existing CMS.

ButterCMS launches New Knowledge base with enhancements

cms-critic-staff

<a href="https://www.oxxy.com/" target="_blank"> Oxxy</a> has launched its public beta for the first time, having completed a closed beta phase. 
 As the new website builder on the block, Oxxy describes itself as being part of the new generation of HTML5 website building platforms. 
 The team behind Oxxy have been busy developing a technology with a focus on the web building experience that aims to be simpler and more intuitive than any other platform on the market. 
Here's an introduction video for Oxxy, followed by some highlights of its main features.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cUEwAgtaqyI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<h2>Chrome Touch Support &amp; a Smoother Support System</h2>
Alongside standard website building capabilities, Oxxy has a few interesting features. 
 For example,  Oxxy currently has full touch support for Chrome, with all other browsers in the works too. Their focus for the future development in this direction is supporting all popular browsers and multi-touch support.
<a href="https://www.oxxy.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/oxxy.png" alt="Oxxy" /></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGysWMR_dYY" target="_blank"> The Oxxy style editor </a>  has been moulded and inspired by existing UI/UX experience like Phothoshop, Illustrator and Gimp, making it accessible for beginner and advanced users. The same goes for the workflow in working with elements while building your website pages. Interactivity like selecting multiple elements in the same manner you select and drag around the icons on your desktop, full control over the dimensions of your elements, free style editing with no template-type restrictions over the layout of your pages. 
 For the users who don't wish to arrange/style/design their website, Oxxy offers templates which are built using the very same Oxxy Website Builder. They also plan to introduce a feature for saving sites as templates, to be distributed and perhaps sold in a future template market. 
 In addition to the phone support, their live chat support is integrated directly in the editor. That means that you can chat with the support while building your website without switching browser tabs or windows. This naturally keeps the user focused on their website building experience. 
 Plus, Oxxy provides a free domain with all yearly subscriptions.  
 To find out more about Oxxy, and to take part in the public beta, <a href="https://www.oxxy.com/" target="_blank"> visit their website</a>.

New Website Builder Oxxy Launches Public Beta

mike-johnston

Check out our more expansive <a href="https://www.cmscritic.com/list-of-social-network-software/">List of Social Networking Software</a> in our Product Directories/Software Lists.
So you want to start a Social Network do you? Fear not, there are tons of way to do so, from software you can download to online solutions that are both free / require a fee. There's definitely more than one way to make it happen. Check out our list of Social Network Software below for some great options.
What you'll find below is a mix of free and commercial solutions designed to make starting a social network as easy as can be. Some of these require customization and some offer great out of the box solutions that might fit your needs, either way, there's something for everyone.
<h2>Self Hosted Solutions</h2>
The solutions below are scripts or software packages that you can download to host on a web host such as <a href="https://www.hostgator.com/">Hostgator</a>.
<h2>1. BuddyPress</h2>
BuddyPress was conceived in 2008 while working to add social networking features to a WordPress MU powered site. The first official stable release was in May 2009. The platform has grown and morphed considerably since then, into the dynamic, easily extensible package you see today.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen.png" alt="BuddyPress" /> BuddyPress
Just like its parent project WordPress, BuddyPress is a completely open source endeavor. Everything from the core code, to the documentation, themes and plugin extensions are all built by the BuddyPress community. This means anyone can help the project by contributing their time and knowledge.
Cost: Free
More Info: See some sample sites that are running BuddyPress in their <a href="http://buddypress.org/showcase/">showcase</a> or give it a whirl on the <a href="http://testbp.org/">demo site</a>.
<h2>2. Elgg</h2>
Elgg is an award-winning open source social networking engine that provides a robust framework on which to build all kinds of social environments, from a campus wide social network for your university, school or college or an internal collaborative platform for your organization through to a brand-building communications tool for your company and its clients.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wordpress-vs-ghost1_tok7el.jpg" alt="Elgg" /> Elgg
Cost: Free
More Info: You can read our <a href="https://www.cmscritic.com/elgg-review/">Elgg review</a> to get a more detailed look at the system, test it out on their <a href="http://community.elgg.org/">community site</a> or download it from <a href="http://elgg.org">Elgg.org</a>
<h2>3. Commons (formerly Drupal Commons)</h2>
Commons is a ready-to-use solution for building either internal or external communities. It provides a complete social business software solution for organizations.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wordpress-vs-ghost-editor_z5lcxv.jpg" alt="commons" /> commons
Commons helps organize content into topic (organic) groups with blog, discussion, document, wiki, and event content types. It also allows users to create (user) relationships with each other in order to follow each other's activities on a site. Authenticated users can view a personalized dashboard containing content from all their subscribed groups. Site owners can quickly and easily change the theme (powered by Fusion from Top Notch Themes) to incorporate their own branding. Plus many other features for community-building.
Cost: Free
More Info: You can test it out on the <a href="http://commons.acquia.com/">Commons demo site</a>, download it from the <a href="http://drupal.org/project/commons">project page</a>. There is also a commercially supported version of it available from <a href="http://acquia.com/products-services/acquia-commons-social-business-software">Acquia</a>.
<h2>4. SocialEngine</h2>
SocialEngine is a commercial product that has been designed for an advanced social network. Complete with a wealth of features and available plugins, it is a great option for those looking to start their own network without a high level of required customization.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/socialengine-580x478.png" alt="SocialEngine" />
SocialEngine
SocialEngine gives you a good-looking social network out of the box with minimal setup required, you simply customize from there.
Cost: $299
More Info: <a href="https://www.socialengine.com/">SocialEngine.net</a> or read our <a href="https://www.cmscritic.com/socialengine-php-review/">SocialEngine Review</a>
<h2>5. JomSocial</h2>
JomSocial is an addon for Joomla that adds social network functionality.  You can easily enable social networking to collaborate with your community with features such as activity streams, flexible templating &amp; design, photo gallery, video support, organic groups, event management, social graph management, customize profile, private messaging, external social network integration and many more.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia14_zkpv5t.jpg" alt="JomSocial" /> JomSocial
Cost: $99 – $499 (depending on license) 

More Info: <a href="http://www.jomsocial.com">JomSocial</a>
<h2>6. Ning</h2>
Ning competes with social sites like MySpace, Facebook and Bebo by appealing to people who want to create their own social networks around specific interests with their own visual design, choice of features and member data.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia13_sv9tsk.jpg" alt="Ning" /> Sample of a site running on Ning
The central feature of Ning is that anyone can create their own social network for a particular topic or need, catering to specific membership bases.
Cost: $2.95 – $59.95 / month
More Info: <a href="http://www.ning.com">Ning</a>
<h2>7. SocialGO</h2>
SocialGO is similar to Ning in that it offers you an opportunity to start your own hosted social network. It allows you to build your own social network with drag and drop tools. Some of the features include: personalized profiles, easy messaging, sub groups, event promotion, text and video chat, forums, blogging, photo &amp; video sharing, facebook integration and more.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia13bw_q6ugl9.jpg" alt="SocialGO" /> SocialGO
Cost: Free – $149 / month depending on plan
More Info: SocialGO
<h2>8. Spruz</h2>
Spruz allows you to create your own website with full member and social features. With Spruz you can create your own social network, blog, business website, or a site about almost anything.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia16_oxxf4o.jpg" alt="spruz" /> Sample site running on Spruz
We have many features built into our website platform that makes it easy for you to create a website that is very robust. Add blogging, forums, discussions, galleries, calendars, and much more! And the best part you can create and use your website completely free!
Cost: Free to $49.95
More Info: <a href="http://www.spruz.com">Spruz</a>
<h2>9. PhpFox</h2>
PhpFox is a featured packed social networking solution. Our goal is to provide your community with features found on major social networking websites like Facebook and MySpace right out of the box. phpFox is built on a platform that gives you full control with your websites layout giving you the ability to easily create a unique look direct from the comfort of your Admin Control Panel.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/magnolia21_amyixd.jpg" alt="phpfox" /> PhpFox
Cost: $99
More Info: <a href="https://www.phpfox.com/">PhpFox</a>
<h2>10. Dolphin</h2>
Dolphin is an open-source, downloadable, scalable, customizable, full-featured, independent and free software package for building social networks, dating sites and niche communities. Dolphin is the only “all-in-one” bundle of PHP community scripts, Flash plugins, Adobe AIR and Mobile apps that provide full control, freedom and flexibility.
Cost: Free to $999 (depends on license)
More Info: <a href="http://www.boonex.com">Dolphin</a>
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a large number of options that should fit most needs. Do you know of one we haven't included in this list or have experiences with any of these (good or bad) that you'd like to share? Please do so in the comments below!

List of Social Network Software

If you’re a digital marketing professional, you’re probably familiar with the <a href="https://chiefmartec.com/2020/04/marketing-technology-landscape-2020-martech-5000/">Martech 5000 “Supergraphic”</a> that’s published annually by Chiefmartec.com. It depicts the complete landscape of marketing technologies across a range of categories such advertising, content management, eCommerce, and more – all with tiny, painstakingly positioned logos.
Now, if you haven’t seen this graphic before, consider yourself warned: you’ll never look at digital marketing technologies the same way again.
The 2020 edition of this mindboggling compilation was released a short while ago, and while the persistence of COVID-19 has consumed every facet of the daily news cycle, it’s worth a hard look. Why?  Because once again, the field of technologies has ballooned at an unimaginable pace.
According to Martech Conference Chair Scott Brinker (the “Chief Martec” and creator of the graphic), the entire landscape grew by 13.6% to a total of 8,000 tools. In addition, 1 in 5 of the solutions were new to the diagram since last year, which is nearly the equivalent of the entire 2015 Martech landscape.
Perhaps the most compelling metric? Since 2011, the landscape has swelled by a remarkable 5,233%.
Brinker also reported that the churn rate – which might include a technology being acquired, sunset, or going out of business – was 8.7%. 615 tools were removed since last year’s 7,040 count, but even with that, the growth of net new tools was 24.5% with 1,575 new tools added.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/martech-landscape-2020-martech5000-slide.jpg" srcset="/wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w600/2020/06/martech-landscape-2020-martech5000-slide.jpg 600w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w1000/2020/06/martech-landscape-2020-martech5000-slide.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w1600/2020/06/martech-landscape-2020-martech5000-slide.jpg 1600w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w2400/2020/06/martech-landscape-2020-martech5000-slide.jpg 2400w" /></figure>
What’s New in the 2020 Martech 5000 Supergraphic
Let’s start with the obvious: for the first time, the graphic looks like a piece of abstract art. Or maybe even a map of the Kingdoms of Westeros.
Regardless of your interpretation, this new design is a marked departure from the previously structured compositions, which accentuates the organic nature of the ecosystem. It also reflects how fluid and amorphous the industry has become, and how the shape is constantly shifting.
The concept of a map is perhaps the best metaphor, with the technology logos being organized compactly into six “continents” with a number of sub-categories as “countries.” These include:
<ul>
<li>Advertising &amp; Promotion: SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and Social Media Advertising</li>
<li>Commerce &amp; Sales: Sales Automation, Customer Support, and CRM (Customer Relationship Management)</li>
<li>Content &amp; Experience: CMS (Content Management Systems), SEO, and Marketing Automation</li>
<li>Data: Data Analytics and Web Analytics</li>
<li>Management: Project Management Software and Communication Software</li>
<li>Social &amp; Relationships: Social Media Management</li>
</ul>
The other big change is where the growth is happening across these categories. Below is how much each has grown since last year:
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/martech-category-growth.jpg" srcset="/wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w600/2020/06/martech-category-growth.jpg 600w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w1000/2020/06/martech-category-growth.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/2020/06/martech-category-growth.jpg 1600w" /></figure>
While stalwarts like Advertising and Promotion appreciated modest gains, Data lead the way with double-digit growth. Specific areas such as Data Governance and Privacy, Video Marketing, Conversational Marketing and Chat, and Project and Workflow management saw the highest percentages of change, signaling that companies with mature stacks are now focused on harnessing their data assets and optimizing their investments.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Martech
Brinker’s 2020 research was collected before most of the world had ever heard the word “coronavirus.” The Supergraphic was published in the thick of the COVID-19 lockdowns – and while many areas of the world have reopened, resurgences in places like the U.S. continue to stir uncertainty in the markets.
In his article supporting the 2020 Supergraphic, Brinker taps his crystal ball, forecasting that the marketing technology industry will remain strong despite the effects of COVID-19. While he believes there will be short-term damage, the long-term outlook is positive.
While the future is always a little foggy, the pandemic has further obscured the prospects for the Martech landscape. First and foremost, companies may be more risk-adverse, pushing off digital transformation projects to meet budget cuts. Additionally, venture capital investment may be more difficult to secure, putting more pressure on startups.
On the bright side, this challenge has forced brands and organizations to pivot their operations to digital. Consider <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21232401/zoom-300-million-users-growth-coronavirus-pandemic-security-privacy-concerns-response">Zoom’s jump from 10 million daily users to over 300 million</a> since the beginning of the lockdown; this ripple effect was felt across many categories as a direct result of the crisis. As companies continue to embrace digital operations – from collaboration to eCommerce to service – Martech may continue to experience broad growth.
An Interactive Martech 5000 Database
Including 8,000 logos inside a graphic is not an easy task. And if you’re trying to decipher the various players from a printed page, you might need a magnifying glass.
The good news is the Martech 5000 Supergraphic also comes in the form of an interactive database, making it easier to browse the companies along with their domain names, year founded, headquarter location, and even their Linkedin and Twitter handles if available.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/martech5000-database.png" srcset="/wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w600/2020/06/martech5000-database.png 600w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/size/w1000/2020/06/martech5000-database.png 1000w, /wp-content/themes/cmscritic/img/cmscritic/content/images/2020/06/martech5000-database.png 1209w" /></figure>
You can sign up to see the database <a href="https://martech5000.com/about">here</a>. To read the Chiefmartec article and download the Supergraphic in all of its glory, <a href="https://chiefmartec.com/2020/04/marketing-technology-landscape-2020-martech-5000/">click here.</a>
About Chiefmartec.com
<a href="https://chiefmartec.com/">Chiefmartec.com</a> is a leading online authority for marketing technology. Started in 2008 by Scott Brinker, the blog offers deep insights on strategy, management, and culture – as well as articles and interviews with Martech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Scott also serves as VP platform ecosystem at Hubspot.

Marketing Technology Landscape Grows 13.6% in 2020, Supergraphic Now Features 8,000 Tools

paris-tuzun

Finally, the day is upon us. WordPress 2.7 has been released to the public and is now available for immediate download from WordPress.org.
This latest version features some interesting changes such as a redesigned administrative interface and improved drag and drop dashboard layout.
<img title="WordPress 2.7 Screenshot" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ss-4.png" alt="The New WordPress 2.7 Dashboard" />
Beautiful isn't it? Here's an into video:

Finally, WordPress 2.7 is officially launched!

The final version of <a href="http://buddypress.org/2014/09/buddypress-2-1-patsy/" target="_blank">BuddyPress 2.1 has been unveiled</a>, just days after the Release Candidate went live.
Following the same trend as WordPress, BuddyPress also name their major releases. However, instead of famous musicians, they opt for eateries. BuddyPress 2.1, therefore, has been named after  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patsy's_Pizzeria"> Patsy’s</a>, a classic pizzeria in East Harlem, NYC.
As mentioned in my <a href="/buddypress-2.1-release-candidate-now-available/" target="_blank">previous look at BuddyPress 2.1</a>, this new release brings about a new @mentions interface, better translations and much more. So, let's take a closer look at Patsy.
<h2>More Translatable, More @able</h2>
<img style="display:block;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/buddyp.png" alt="BuddyPress" /> 
Previously, you needed to know the username of the member you wanted to mention in the activity stream, but not anymore. In BuddyPress 2.1, typing the  <code> @ </code>  key will bring up the new suggestions panel, making it easy to @ the user you intend, by simply choosing them from a list.
Also, the BuddyPress team have worked alongside the WordPress team to get BuddyPress translation files downloading automatically to your WordPress installation. So, BuddyPress is now more translatable – and more readily translated – than ever before.
Another addition is the new URL field type, which allows your users to enter URLs in a number of formats, and ensures that they’re properly linked when displayed on member profiles.
<h2>Something for the Devs</h2>
BuddyPress 2.1 introduces dozens of improvements with developers in mind:
<ul>
<li>Access control in  <code> BP_Group_Extension </code>  has been completely overhauled, allowing plugins to manage access to their nav items on a fine-grained basis.</li>
<li>A new  <code> group_activity </code>  sort order has been added for Groups queries.</li>
<li>A  <code> no_access_url </code>  parameter has been added to  <code> bp_core_new_subnav_item() </code> . This allows you to set the URL that users are redirected to when they do not have permission to access a sub-navigation item.</li>
<li>Extra CSS classes have been added to Profile Field visibility field elements, allowing greater CSS customization.</li>
</ul>
For a detailed look at the hundreds of bug fixes and feature enhancements in BuddyPress 2.1, check out the <a href="https://codex.buddypress.org/releases/version-2-1/">official 2.1 changelog</a>.
Additionally, be sure to explore more of <a href="/products/buddypress/" target="_blank">BuddyPress via our CMS Directory</a>.

BuddyPress 2.1 Patsy Released

BuddyPress 1.2.9 has been released and includes fixes related to the new version of jQuery (1.6.1) that comes packaged with WordPress 3.2. These changes affect the javascript and ajax behaviors in the bp-default theme. You can read more about them on the WordPress development blog. If your BuddyPress site runs bp-default (or a child theme of it) you’ll need to update to BuddyPress 1.2.9 immediately after updating to WordPress 3.2.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen.png" alt="BuddyPress" />
Download BuddyPress 1.2.9 from <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/buddypress/">WordPress Extend</a> or <a href="http://buddypress.org/download/">BuddyPress.org</a>.

BuddyPress 1.2.9 available

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Build your business with Shopify to sell online, offline, and everywhere in between.

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Ubuntu MATE is a powerful desktop operating system that is based on the popular <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ubuntu.com/">Ubuntu</a> Linux distribution. What makes Ubuntu MATE unique is that it comes with the advanced <a target="_blank" href="https://mate-desktop.org/">MATE</a> desktop environment which was originally created as a continuation of GNOME 2.  Given it's popularity in the Linux world, I've written this Ubuntu MATE Review to help show you what it's all about and decide if it's the right OS for you.This review has been updated and is now based on the most recent Ubuntu MATE 19.04 (Disco) release.<h2>What are the goals of the Ubuntu MATE project?</h2>According to the website, the following are the objectives / goals for the project:<ul><li>Accessible to all, regardless of language and physical ability.</li><li>Increase both Ubuntu and MATE Desktop user adoption.</li><li>Ubuntu alternative for computers that aren’t powerful enough to run a composited desktop.</li><li>First choice Ubuntu platform for remote workstation solutions such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ltsp.org/">LTSP</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://x2go.org/">X2Go</a>.</li><li>Recreate the halcyon days of Ubuntu for users who prefer a traditional desktop metaphor.</li><li>Use themes and artwork similar to Ubuntu so that Ubuntu MATE is immediately familiar.</li><li>When possible contribute to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.debian.org/">Debian</a> so both the Debian and Ubuntu communities benefit.</li><li>Software selection will favor functionality and stability over lightness and whimsy.</li></ul><h2>Ubuntu Mate Hardware Requirements</h2>Most users will meet these requirement without issue as most modern computers are far past the minimum hardware requirements but when it comes to Linux, lots of people enjoy revitalizing old hardware with Linux distributions. I recommend reviewing this briefly to make sure that your hardware meets the minimums.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-review-hardware-requirements_riwfap.jpg" />Hardware Requirements for Ubuntu Mate<h2>What has changed in the most recent Ubuntu MATE release?</h2>Numerous things have changed with 19.04. One thing that I found quite intriguing is that with this release, if you have an NVIDIA GPU connected to your computer and select Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware during installation, the NVIDIA proprietary drivers will be installed automatically. That's pretty slick and makes the experience more desirable for new users to Linux as installing these drivers could (at times) be overlooked by new users if they are unaware of the need.There are some other changes, of course, but it's always best to read about them from the source so if desired, you can read about everything new with this release here: <a target="_blank" href="https://ubuntu-mate.org/blog/ubuntu-mate-disco-final-release/">https://ubuntu-mate.org/blog/ubuntu-mate-disco-final-release/</a><h2>Installation</h2>Installation of Ubuntu MATE is no different than any other Ubuntu distribution. Since it has pretty much unchanged in the past several releases, I'm not going to go through the process here but what I do want to point out, that's a relatively new(ish) addition is that you can now choose either a normal installation which includes the default selections of software chosen by the Ubuntu MATE developers or a minimal install for those who want more control over what is installed with their OS.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-review-1_db3bhh.png" />Ubuntu Mate review – Choosing the installation type<h2>The MATE Desktop – Your First Look</h2>Upon booting into the desktop for the first time, you'll be greeted with a themed wallpaper as well as a few simple icons.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-review-2-the-desktop_nx1fjo.png" />The MATE DesktopI also was prompted by a Software Updater pop-up to install the latest updates. Now, one thing that's a bit odd here is that I chose to have these installed during the installation so why I am having to update even further now is beyond me. I assume the “Download updates while installing” feature either doesn't work period or doesn't work properly in a virtual machine environment (which I'm using for this review). Either way, just something to keep in mind.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-review-2-software-updater_vdcdeh.png" />Software Updater doing it's job.Another trend that you'll see more and more with large distributions nowadays is the introduction of a Welcome Screen of some kind to give new users a quick overview of how to use their new environment / distribution. This is something the developers of Ubuntu MATE have had for quite some time and they've done an excellent job of making it super useful.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-the-welcome-screen_bigxxt.png" />The Welcome ScreenWith this (and more previous) releases, the Getting Started button followed Updates and Extras is super handy as it includes quick install buttons for codecs, screensavers, themes and more. Under Getting Started and Optional Tasks you can configure various things such as Backups, Network Shares, Users and Firewall Settings as well.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-additional-options_mcu8jh.png" />Another Configuration Screen in the Welcome Dialog<h2>Tweaking your Ubuntu MATE Desktop</h2>Under the MATE menu in the top left (by default) you can access the menu which contains all of the software, preferences and system tools installed with the distribution. You can easily access a handy app called MATE Tweak which, if you click on the Panel tab once launched, lets you choose between numerous included panel layouts.What these do is basically change the structure of the desktop, sometimes moving the menu to the bottom left (similar to Windows) or adding a Mac style layout to the desktop. There are several options to try, I recommend checking them all out before coming to a conclusion as to which is best.The default panel layout is called Familiar so if you make changes here and decide you don't like them, you can revert back to that layout to get the default look and feel. To get a breakdown of what each of these panel layouts looks like (and the differences between them) read this article on the official website: <a target="_blank" href="https://ubuntu-mate.community/t/choosing-and-changing-panel-layouts-ubuntu-mate-18-04/16502">Choosing and Changing panel layouts.</a>You can also tweak your Window Options from within MATE Tweak. This allows you to change things such as the compositor, window decorations, animations and even where the window controls (minimize, maximize and close) are located in the window (left or right side basically).<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-window-options_ornof7.png" />Ubuntu MATE – Window OptionsIn most layouts, you can also choose to add extra applets which are basically small apps that run inside your panel and expand the functionality. To manage them, and add more, simply right click on a panel and click Add to Panel and the following dialog will be presented:<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/adding-applets-to-the-panel_zkmpgj.jpg" />Adding applets to the panelFrom here, you can choose from a growing list of applets that you can add to your panels to give you even more capabilities. Try some and find your favorites!<h2>Adding Software to your Linux Distribution</h2>By default, Ubuntu MATE comes with the usual software such as Firefox, Thunderbird, Transmission, LibreOffice and more but installing others is very simple.As I'm sure most of you know, there is always more than one way to add software to Linux but assuming you aren't a console person and you prefer to avoid the traditional apt commands, you can also use the Software Boutique app which can be found in your menu under Administration.Software Boutique allows you to browse available software that you can install quickly and easily.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-software-boutique_adfocp.png" />Ubuntu MATE software boutiqueClicking on the icons along the top (scissors, gamepad, etc) will take you to the applicable categories and present  you with a list of available software to install. Keep in mind, however, that one of the strengths of Linux; and specifically Ubuntu; is the breadth of repositories out there so if you don't find what you are looking for here, you can learn more about repositories and how to add more here: <a target="_blank" href="https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu">https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu</a><h2>Ubuntu MATE Performance</h2>Let's take a quick look at how well Ubuntu MATE performs in general when it comes to CPU and RAM usage. To be fair, this is going to vary widely and can be different given the fact that I am performing this review within a Virtual machine environment, however, it's still relevant.With nothing but the Software Boutique running and the default desktop itself, performance is quite good as you can see from the System Monitor:<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/system-monitor_fmlqls.png" />System MonitorFor more advanced testing, I recommend installing the distro and running tests with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phoronix-test-suite.com/">Phoronix Test Suite</a> or check out some existing benchmarks on <a target="_blank" href="https://openbenchmarking.org/s/ubuntu%2019.04">OpenBenchmark.org</a> as results can vary widely depending on software installed, hardware capabilities and other variables.In my usage and from experience running Ubuntu MATE for several months, it's still one of the fastest and leanest distros out there.<h2>The Control Center</h2>The control center is where you'll find most of the system settings for Ubuntu MATE. You'll find this in the menu labeled the same.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ubuntu-mate-control-center_vpqrmn.jpg" />Ubuntu MATE control centerYou'll find everything from power management to printer installation in the control center and I advise you to explore it thoroughly so you are aware of how to modify your system as needed.<h2>Conclusions</h2>I've always found Ubuntu MATE to be a reliable distribution. The layout and functionality of the system is easy to use and zippy and everything feels well put together. I highly recommend giving it a try if you aren't a fan of the current Gnome desktop and are looking for an alternative. It's also a great choice for older hardware as it's less resource hungry than the default Ubuntu desktop. I personally feel as though MATE is a more functional desktop than Gnome itself so perhaps I'm a bit jaded there.What do you think? Are you an Ubuntu MATE fan? If not, what do you prefer?

Ubuntu MATE Review

A new release of WordPress is available. This update is a major one in that it brings with it some significant changes to the CMS.  What changes can you expect? Read on.
<h3>Redesigned and Streamlined Dashboard</h3>
As you can see in the image below, the dashboard has been reworked to provide a more streamlined experience:
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wp3_2-1-580x344.png" alt="WordPress 3.2 Dashboard" />
The new dashboard seems quicker in our trials and certainly offers a more visually appealing look with improved typography and, according to the release announcement, improved code in the back end.
<h3>Improved Post Editor</h3>
Undeniably, the most important part of WordPress is the post editor and this has been improved as well. You'll notice a smoother, slicker post editor with a number of new features such as Fullscreen Mode which Matt Mullenweg describes as ..
<blockquote>…my personal favorite feature of the release. All of the widgets, menus, buttons, and interface elements fade away to allow you to compose and edit your thoughts in a completely clean environment conducive to writing, but when your mouse strays to the top of the screen your most-used shortcuts are right there where you need them. (I like to press F11 to take my browser full-screen, getting rid of even the OS chrome.)</blockquote>
Here's a pic of the new editor normally:
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/moboom_jxx4pw.jpg" alt="WordPress 3.2 Post Editor" />
In full screen, as you type, the top controls fade away which allows you to see only the text as you type. This is a very cool new feature that should help inspire writers by removing potential distractions.
Other features include:
<blockquote>Under the hood there have been a number of improvements, not the least of which is the streamlining enabled by our previously announced plan of retiring support for PHP4, older versions of MySQL, and legacy browsers like IE6, which allows us to take advantage of more features enabled by new technologies. The admin bar has a few more shortcuts to your most commonly-used actions. On the comment moderation screen, the new approve &amp; reply feature speeds up your conversation management. You’ll notice in your first update after 3.2 that we’ll only be updating the files that have changed with each new release instead of every file in your WordPress installation, which makes updates significantly faster on all hosting platforms. There are also some fun new theme features shown off by Twenty Eleven, like the ability to have multiple rotating header images to highlight all of your favorite photos.</blockquote>
Last but not least, grab a copy from <a href="http://wordpress.org">WordPress.org</a>

WordPress 3.2 has been released

<a href="/products/motocms">MotoCMS</a> is a popular website builder that’s been around since 2009. The site takes a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) approach to website building, and allows users to design, edit, and publish their own website.The WYSIWYG setup means that this process should be pretty simple and intuitive.The software is updated on a regular basis and is designed to appeal to beginners and professionals alike. But does it?I decided to check it out for myself. Read on for my MotoCMS review.<h2>Getting Started</h2>They don’t make this easy. To get setup with MotoCMS, you have to go on a bit of a field trip. Here’s how the process went down:First, you click on the button to get started. This will take you to a screen where you select your chosen industry design.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-05_at_12_40_29636x0-is.png" />After you’ve done this, you can select a template.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-05_at_12_40_53725x0-is.png" />Then, a box pops up to insert your email address and your name.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-05_at_13_46_53490x0-is.png" />And when you’ve done all of this, you receive an email confirmation. Once you click on that, you’re all set.It all felt a bit time-consuming for my liking and it tainted my first impression of the site. There’s an optimal phone verification feature built into this process also, but I felt it just got in the way at this early stage – especially since it doesn’t replace mail verification.Whilst the setup is generally pretty simple, I’ve reviewed a few of these sites now and I’ve come to expect a speedier signup process.<h2>Usability</h2>Once you get to the main site, users are greeted by a ‘Welcome To The Future’ slogan with the MotoCMS logo presented on a plain background. This is bordered by the admin panel, and the overall look is pretty sleek and sophisticated.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-05_at_12_47_14902x0-is.png" />The admin panel utilizes the WYSIWYG system and drag-and-drop functionality, which means that you can see each change as it's implemented. This is especially useful for novice users.A number of step-by-step tutorials are available via popups and this makes the process pretty easy to navigate – especially when it comes to adding pages.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-05_at_14_12_41710x0-is.png" />To add a new page to the site, you simply click on ‘add page’ and a popup will come up asking for the page name and URL. You can then edit the page properties using the options in the right-hand column, such as assigning a URL name and assigning parent pages.If you head over to the ‘Design’ section, you can also edit page specific options such as hiding certain page sections – e.g. the header and footer. By clicking on the viewing tool, you can preview the page to see the exact results.I found the editor to be perfectly fine – the interface was quite quick and lag-free on all the contemporary browser platforms. The UI seemed to lag on the older versions of Firefox, which might be a concern to potential clients on older machines.<h2>Design</h2><h3>Responsiveness</h3>MotoCMS have made great efforts to make their templates as responsive as possible and there are a wide variety of mobile screens to test your designs on. The platform also allows users to hand edit certain elements of the templates. This is a pretty useful feature, as some of the native content can look a little disjointed.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-06_at_22_54_05.png" />This screenshot is a random example. As you can see, the picture box is slightly misaligned. Whilst this won't be a massive issue for everyone, it may irritate the design perfectionists out there.<h3>Templates</h3>MotoCMS offer a wide range of premade templates in various styles and tones. There’s enough variety to meet the design requirements of most businesses, and the templates are arranged by industry type to ensure an easy selection process.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-06_at_22_57_59476x0-is.png" />However, as I mentioned earlier, some of this design excellence is lost in the transition to mobile.<h2>Features</h2><h3>Social Media</h3>MotoCMS have a social media widget that is quite easy to use and allows you to integrate <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/?lang=en">Twitter</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. It does this quite well, but it would be great to see a few more integration options available.<h3>Extras</h3>In MotoCMS, each template has an option for a few extra paid plug-ins like an SEO Audit and in-Depth Preloader Customization. These vary according to template.MotoCMS do have some basic features like Google Analytics available for free, but that’s a bare minimum for most CMS these days.<h3>Widgets</h3>A wide range of useful and functional widgets are available as drag-and-drop items on the page editor. This selection includes galleries/portfolios, contact forms, text boxes, videos, and google maps.The eCommerce widget is a premium extra and it’s quite expensive (up to $159), but there’s no other option if you want eCommerce functionality on your MotoCMS site.<h3>Blogging</h3>Only some of MotoCMS’s templates feature a blogging section, which will create a bit of a roadblock for many potential users. They have a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.motocms.com/blog/en/motocms-templates-with-blog-functionality/">few</a> templates with blogging options as standard, but the selection is extremely limited.<h3>Pricing</h3>MotoCMS offers a 14 day free trial period. After this, you're provided with a range of price options that are arranged in pack sizes. This applies to your own drag-and-drop creations.Their basic price option includes a MotoCMS 3 website template for $199 and a HTML template for $139. There are optional extras available such website installation, an eCommerce plugin, an Advanced eCommerce plugin, or a ready-made website.All of their plans and templates come with 24/7 customer support which doesn't discriminate by price. The pricing is very straightforward and transparent.<h2>Pros:</h2>The full hosting package gives users a comprehensive website including hosting.The site has a nice range of contemporary templates that are perfectly suited to their ‘genre’.The WYSIWYG interface is straightforward enough.Sleek UI and UX design means that navigating is a breeze.<h2>Cons:</h2>The interface is a little clogged with sales pitches, offers of customer support help and calls to action. Distracts a little from the experience.Signup feature is a little clunky and time consuming. Too much market research crammed in.The responsive versions of the main templates look very disjointed.Only some templates have blogging features as standard.<h2>Conclusion</h2>MotoCMS is a decent CMS option for small businesses. It’s a bit lacking in the features department, and the page editor is just about average, but it does provide good value and excellent hosting capabilities.The template selection is decent and their template + hosting package is definitely good value.The problem with MotoCMS is that it isn’t really the obvious choice for either the beginner or the professional. It sits on the fence a bit in this regard.The design professional may not be overly impressed with the features available, and the less experienced site builder may find it a little too complex. Not a massive issue, but it’s worth noting.Overall, MotoCMS provide a decent service at a reasonable price, and you can mix and match the plugins as you need. The lack of a blogging platforms available will be an issue for some, but this is still a site builder that’s worth checking out.For more information, visit the MotoCMS site <a href="/products/motocms">here.</a>Have you used MotoCMS or are you interested in trying it out? We'd love to hear from you in the comments section below.

MotoCMS Review 2016

grainne-logue

Data visualization, in the form of banner ads, digital presentations and infographics in particular, have gained popularity around the web in recent years.
Bloggers, marketers and some of the biggest companies in the world make use of such visual mediums in order to explain process, simplify information, and drive home facts and stats.  
 Take infographics as an example. The aim for marketers has always been to make relevant information more snazzy and approachable, and infographics have now become the world's chosen method of doing that. Just take a look at <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/trends/explore#q=infographic" target="_blank"> Google Trends' record for the word “infographic”</a>. The graph – rather ironically – speaks for itself. 
 Obviously though, not all of these data visualization mediums are equal. Some are rough, unprofessional and dreary to look at, whilst others are beautifully crafted, easy to read and yet extremely simple in nature. <a href="http://www.visme.co/" target="_blank">Visme.co</a> is a tool which aims to create the latter type. 
 Formerly known as EWC Presenter, Visme.co is a flexible, browser-based tool which makes it easy to create any of the following:
<ul>
<li>Infographics</li>
<li>Presentations</li>
<li>Banner Ads</li>
<li>Graphs &amp; Charts</li>
<li>Product Demos (Coming Soon)</li>
</ul>
Visme is free, and also offers premium features for those looking to go above and beyond.  
 During the course of this review, I'll get to grips with just how well Visme can fuel the world's thirst for visual material. Let's begin with a video.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/104754559?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<h2>Initial Thoughts</h2>
Although Visme is technically still in beta, it gives users a warm welcome on its website. 
Right off the bat, Visme invited you to “Visualize your ideas”, and “Start Creating”. That's precisely the type of language you want to hear from such a tool. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-1700x0.png" alt="Visme" /> However, for a service which is pushing visual products, I kind of expected Visme's website to be a little more elegant. There's nothing particularly wrong with the website, but with bland backgrounds and unimpressive graphics mean that it doesn't exactly stand out.  
(Edit: Following publication of this review, Payman Taei, Visme Founder, has informed me that a brand new Visme website is set to go live in just a few days).
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-2.png" alt="Visme" /> Having said that, Visme's functions are explained well, and it's pretty easy to to sign up for the free service.  
 There's also a regularly updated Visme blog, which is always nice to see – no matter what kind of product or service is on offer. Active blogs indicate life and personality, I only wish that more software vendors understood that. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-3.png" alt="Visme" />
<h2>Getting Started</h2>
After signing up with Visme (which can be done with either an email address or Facebook account) and naming my first project, I was presented with the dashboard. 
 Here, I could choose between Visme's three core project types; Infographics, Presentations and Banner Ads. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-4700x0.png" alt="Visme" /> The dashboard is once again simple and functional, but once again, it lacked the zest that I was expecting to see from such a visually driven product. It all just looked a little flat, and not in a good way either. 
 In any case, I'll now take you through all three of these project types, how they work, and whether or not they work well.
<h3>Infographics</h3>
First up is infographic creating. 
 There are well over 50 different (and good looking) infographic templates, which is a healthy amount. After all, an infographic needs to look unique, so having a wide range of templates to begin from makes that easier to achieve, once you get to customizing.  
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-6700x0.png" alt="Visme" /> Speaking of customizing, simply clicking on any of the templates will get you started.  
 Inside the editor, I found a very responsive interface, which finally looks the part. It's sleek, simple, and professional. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-5700x0.png" alt="Visme" /> The editor presents a toolbar down the left hand side, shows you how many objects are currently on the infographics, and highlights each object as you hover over them.  
 Editing each element is extremely easy. You only need to click on them in order to edit text, move things around, and so forth. Many formatting and other general options pop up when you click on any object.  
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-8.png" alt="Visme" /> In addition, the toolbar located on the left hand side gives you a lot of customization options.  
 From amongst those features, is the following:
<ul>
<li>Background images/fill colour</li>
<li>Text boxes</li>
<li>Shapes</li>
<li>Images/Vector Icons</li>
<li>Charts/Graphs</li>
<li>Video</li>
<li>Audio</li>
</ul>
All of the above can be easily selected, and then dragged-and-dropped into place. All feature menus are easy to understand, fast and and look good too. 
 Visme's font offerings really impressed me too. There's a long list of all the most common fonts, along with some lesser used styles too.   
 Although, infographics are only as good as the visuals found within them. Thankfully, Visme has that are well and truly covered with thousands and thousands free images and a wide range of background types, shapes, vector icons, graphs and charts. Plus, they all look clean and professional. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-9.png" alt="Visme" /> YouTube videos can be embedded, and images can be uploaded in bulk if the free ones don't take your fancy. 
 So, not only is it easily to customize and lay out these objects, but all the building blocks you need to build an eye-catching infographic is there on the sidebar. I for one quite enjoyed building my very own infographic, and it only took me a couple of minutes too.
<h3>Presentations</h3>
Visme's presentation feature is a nice alternative to programs like PowerPoint. 
 The dashboard lets you choose from only seven templates, which is a little under-whelming. The templates themselves aren't much to look at either. 
(Edit: Following publication of this review, Payman Taei, Visme Founder, has informed me that new presentation templates are on their way).
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-4700x0.png" /> The customization features for presentations are the same as the ones found when creating an infographic, which I listed above. The same drag-and-drop interface is used, and everything runs just as smoothly. 
 The only major difference here, is that you're working on slides instead of a longer canvas. Naturally, this means you can add new slides too. 
 All you need to do is click “New Slide” on the right side bar this time, before selecting the type of slide template you wish to use.  
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-11.png" /> As with infographics, you can insert text, images, videos, icons and more.  
 Visme gives you a preview of your slides in the sidebar, and allows you to quickly delete slides, duplicate them and even hide them from view. Plus, you can configure settings to do with transitions between slides. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-13700x0.png" />
<h3>Banner Ads</h3>
Finally, Visme also enables you to create banners.  
 The dashboard allows you to select between a wide range of banner dimensions, which is handy if you're looking to create a banner which is of a standard size for websites to display, or for ad networks like Google Adsense. You can also configure a custom size. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-12700x0.png" /> Like with infographics, Visme once again offers a large selection of templates for each dimension, which is great if you're struggling for design ideas. What I noticed here, was that the banner ad templates were of a higher quality than the presentation templates, back on par with the infographics. 
 However, there was one snag. 
 The banner ads were giving me an option which I wasn't given with the infographics or presentation templates. Whenever I hovered over a banner ad template, I was given the option to “Preview” the banner, as well as the option to select it. Good news, or so I thought. 
 Each time I went to preview a banner, I was shown an error. 
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-14.png" /> Not a huge deal, but it doesn't exactly add to the experience, and it's definitely something the Visme team should fix.  
 Once you do select a template, it's back to using the same, trusty editor – which is now proving to as flexible as it is easy to use.  
 <img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-17.png" /> As usual, you can drag-and-drop in images, text, icons and more. 
<h2>Notable Extras</h2>
On top of the three main project types, Visme has some other extras to offer. Here they all are.
<h3>Animations &amp; Previews</h3>
Throughout all three project types, Visme gives you the option to animate objects. So, after you place them on the canvas and customize them, you can liven them up a bit too.  
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-15.png" /> Using this feature, you can specify when objects appear, how they appear, transition times, and so forth. This all includes options like images sliding in from the left, icons slowly fading in, etc. It's all useful stuff, and it's easy to use too.  
 Another handy feature, is the preview option.  
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-16700x0.png" /> This option goes hand-in-hand with the animations feature, as it allows you to see the animation in real-time, as an end-user would see it. It's a great way to test things out.
<h3>Custom Dimensions, Layers &amp; Special Effects</h3>
Alongside presentations, infographics and banner, is the option to create a custom dimension project.  
 This simply allows you to work on a blank canvas of a size which you personally configure. You have all the same options available, so you can create whatever you like. Posters, flyers, banners, and everything in between. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-19700x0.png" /> Another notable extra, is the feature which allows you to insert layers into projects. This is particularly useful for when dealing with images and backgrounds. Designers will know exactly what a useful feature this can be. 
 Similarly, special effects can be added to images, such as opacity, reflection, blur, and so on.  
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-18.png" />
<h2>Getting Help</h2>
Visme gives its users a healthy range of support documentation via its support page. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-20700x0.png" /> You can search through the documents via the search bar, and find information regarding things like animations, working with text, and so on. 
 That's all great to see, but I would have liked to see a little more personality about the support procedure. Where is the support email, live chat or ticketing system? For anybody well and truly stuck on an issue, the documentation will only be able to help so much. Visme need to offer an alternative route to help and support.
<h2>Pricing</h2>
Visme offers a completely free plan, alongside two premium plans. Here they all are. 
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sshot-21700x0.png" /> Now, those prices are very reasonable, and that's great to see. In fact, starting at $4,50 I don't think Visme has any major competitors currently beating it for price. Pikochart for example, starts from $29 a month, whilst Infogr.am starts from $18 + tax.  
 However, instead of having a problem with Visme's prices, I have a problem with the pricing structure. Piktochart and Infogr.am for example, offer non-profit organizations and educational institutions a different pricing route. This is something Visme will need to offer if it wishes to attract such organizations.  
 Similarly, a business package which extends Visme's services to multiple users under the same subscription would make a lot of sense for businesses.  
 However, if you're a marketer, blogger or somebody who wants to put a project together for their employer, Visme makes perfect sense when it comes to price. 
(Edit: Following publication of this review, Payman Taei, Visme Founder, has informed me that an educational license is due to be released soon).
<h2>The Verdict</h2>
Visme is a very handy weapon to have in your marketing arsenal. 
 It serves up a huge range of free images, icons, infographic visuals, fonts and so forth. You can sign up to Visme with no media assets to hand, and publish a professional looking piece of content just minutes later. It's all right there in the editor.  
 The design process is also extremely easy, and quite fun to use at times. You can drag-and-drop elements across the canvas before customizing colours, sizes, effects and even animations. There's so much to customize in fact, that producing unique content with Visme is almost guaranteed.  
 There are some drawbacks though. 
 Visme's biggest attraction is probably it's price though. Because it starts from just $4.50 a month, pretty much anybody who needs professional looking visual content can now afford it. And that's awesome.
Here are some pros and cons to help you weigh up what Visme has to offer.
<h3>Pros</h3>
<ul>
<li>Visme allows you to create beautiful presentations, infographics and banner ads quickly and easily.</li>
<li>Plenty of Infographic and Banner ad templates, all of which look highly professional.</li>
<li>The editor interface is sleek and very user friendly. At the same time, it's packed with features.</li>
<li>Simple drag-and-drop designing.</li>
<li>Huge range of free images, fonts, icons and infographic visuals.</li>
<li>Customization including editing, deleting and moving objects is easy.</li>
<li>Objects can be animated &amp; given special effects.</li>
<li>Slideshow slide transmissions can be given special effects. </li>
<li>Handy preview option.</li>
<li>Good range of support documentation.</li>
<li>Visme is extremely affordable, even for startups without many pennies to spare.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cons</h3>
<ul>
<li>Presentation templates are bland and low in number.</li>
<li>The preview option is only offered on the Banner Ad page, and it doesn't even work.</li>
<li>Although there's lot of documentation, the support options begin and end there. No contact email in sight. </li>
<li>The dashboard and menus aren't quite as snazzy as those offered by competitors. As a result, it doesn't quite feel like a proper premium tool until you start editing. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Final Remarks</h2>
It didn't take me long to create some fairly good looking visuals with Visme.  
 Thanks to the tons of assets available and a simple drag-and-drop editor, you can quite easily start with none of your own assets or ideas, and still create something worth sharing. As previously mentioned, infographics are a booming content type at the moment, and Visme is a good way for you, your blog or company to jump on the bandwagon.  
 I don't think Visme is going to blow you away with its abilities, nor its general looks. There are more powerful tools other there. 
 Yet, <a href="http://www.visme.co/" target="_blank">Visme</a> works very well, and does an extremely good job of creating visual content as both a free and premium tool.

Visme Review

Volusion Review

Despite <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>‘s ever-changing algorithms, it can still provide an excellent means for businesses to build a community around their brand. Whether you want to increase your Facebook likes or drive more traffic back to your site – using Facebook contest apps will do wonders for your inbound marketing efforts, and it’s also a great way to engage with your online community.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/facebook-793048_1280550x0-is.jpg" />According to the revised Facebook rules, you can now run a contest on your Timeline or via a Facebook app, but there are also a few third party apps that can make the process much easier for both you and your customers.Of course, finding the right app takes a bit of time and research; both of which are pretty scarce when you’re running a business. So, I’ve narrowed it down the search for you.Here’s my list of 7 Platforms To Supercharge Your Campaigns.<h2>1. WishPond</h2>Wishpond has a ‘keep it simple, stupid’ mantra that makes the app extremely user-friendly. Creating a campaign is simple and there are a number of contest types available. Wishpond also provides users with a range of well-designed templates to choose from. If you are looking to run a Facebook contest, this is one of the best apps there is.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_21_47_08.png" />The reporting function is really Wishpond’s strong point, with a number of key filters and segmenting options available.New users can avail of a 14-day free trial, and packages start at $19 per month after that. The packages are scaled according to the features needed, and users can unlock extra features by moving up to the next tier. For more on Wishpond, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wishpond.com/">click here</a><h2>2. Heyo Free Contest Builder</h2>Heyo is a drag-and-drop platform that makes it simple to launch your new Facebook application and drive traffic, sales, or leads. Heyo is aimed at entrepreneurs and SMB’s, and includes a variety of templates such as contests, deals, and promos.This app really encourages creativity and there are fully editable templates available to suit your brand, with no coding skills required.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_19_23_29.png" />This is a simple and intuitive platform that’s really geared towards businesses who want to get a Facebook contest set up quickly with zero hassle. That said, it still has an extensive offering.There are over 30 widgets available, which you can drag or resize to your specific requirements; every contest you run is mobile optimized (so that you look good from every angle), and you receive a free Smart URL for your marketing campaign.Sounds like a pretty good deal, right?The pricing setup is simple and users can avail of a 7-day free trial to get started. After this, you can move on to the Business plan for $25 per month or get in touch with Heyo for a quote on their Agency package. For more on <a target="_blank" href="http://heyo.com/">Heyo</a>, just click here.<h2>3. ShortStack</h2>ShortStack makes it simple for users to create Facebook contests, landing pages, campaigns and apps. This app allows businesses to create custom tabs and contests on their fan pages, and users can also add videos/pictures to their contests or promotions.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_19_41_57.png" />There’s a bit of a learning curve in comparison to other apps such as Heyo, but the platform is easy to navigate once you get the hang of it.The free plan includes unlimited campaigns, 5,000 campaign visits per 30 days, promotions, share functionality, and a Facebook fan allowance of 25,000. So it’s a pretty great option for small businesses.Paid plans start at $29 per month, and scale up to the ‘All you Can Eat’ $499 per month – so you can move up a gear as your business grows. These fees are also reduced if you choose to pay annually. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shortstack.com/">Click here</a> to learn more about Shortstack.<h2>4. AgoraPulse</h2>AgoraPulse offers an all in one package when it comes to managing your Facebook page, and it allows users to easily create mobile-optimized apps and measure their results in-depth.It’s easy to use, and businesses can use the Facebook Contest App to create a Facebook contest in minutes.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_20_03_08.png" />However, this is really more than just a contest app, with a great CRM and analytics suite also available – so it may appeal more to users looking to tick all boxes.AgoraPulse provides packages that will suit every business size, and paid plans start at $19 per month for up to 6,000 fans. To learn more about AgoraPulse, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.agorapulse.com/">click here</a>.<h2>5. Easypromos</h2>Easypromos makes the world of Facebook Contests very accessible to users, with prices starting at free for your first promotion and $15 per promotion after that – for fan pages of up to 5,000.The options available on the free trial include photo contests, sweepstakes, and text contests.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_20_24_11.png" />Businesses can also avail of subscription packages which kick off at $29 per month for the basic level, and users who sign up for a year can avail of a 2 month price saving. For more on Easypromos, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.easypromosapp.com/">click here</a>.<h2>6.PageModo</h2>PageModo provides a solid Facebook promotions tool with a range of widgets and features, and it won’t break the bank either. There are several theme options available, so you should have no problem with finding the perfect fit for your company (or as close as you can get, when it’s predesigned for you).<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_21_49_14.png" />The free plan allows for one page and one tab, but if you’re planning on collecting analytics data from your content then you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.PageModo's basic paid plan normally costs $6.25 per month but there’s a 48-hour sale on as I write this post, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the site in case it pops up again. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pagemodo.com/">Click here</a> for more on PageModo.<h2>7. Woobox</h2>Woobox is a popular Facebook contest app that’s mobile optimized and priced pretty competitively too. There are a number of premade templates available, but this app isn’t as easy to work with as the others I've mentioned.<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/screen_shot_2016-03-08_at_21_50_34.png" />Woobox offers a downloadable list of entrants to both paid and free users, and the contest forms are completely customizable also, which means that you can get the exact information that you need for your lead generation.Users can try Woobox out for free or opt for a paid plan starting at $30 per month. Prices and packages vary according to whether you opt for a monthly or annual payment, so it’s worth checking out in detail. <a target="_blank" href="https://woobox.com/">Click here</a> to visit the Woobox site.<h2>Make It Happen</h2>If you’ve been thinking about running a Facebook contest, but haven't had the time to do the research – now is the time to make it happen! Any of these apps will get the ball rolling for you, so all you have to do is pick your favorite and get started.Have you tried out any of these apps? Or maybe you have a preferred Facebook contest app that I haven't mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Facebook Contest Apps: 7 Platforms To Supercharge Your campaigns

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