If you are familiar with open-source web applications, then you have heard of Mambo. If not, you have probably visited a site built on this flexible framework without even realizing it. What exactly is Mambo? It is a widely used, fully featured content management system designed to facilitate the building and management of dynamic websites. According to numerous surveys, the software is most commonly used to create personal and blog sites. However, it also used to create web portals, social networking communities and e-commerce sites. Mambo has the reputation of a comprehensive, user-friendly tool that allows the novice and veteran webmaster to create and build websites with more efficiency.
Mambo Advantages
One of the greatest advantages of Mambo is that it doesn’t require you to have any knowledge of programming languages to maintain your website. The system provides you with a clean interface that delivers a point-and-click functionality even the most inexperienced user can learn to master. There is no need to learn how to format or layout HTML pages as Mambo does all the hard work for you. All you have to do is configure and manage your website content via the intuitive, menu-driven control panel. Though easy to use, Mambo’s functionality qualifies it as far more than a basic software application. For example, it allows to apply template changes to instantly enhance the look of your site, manage online polls and create various user permissions. With the Mambo CMS, your website can be as simple or complex as you desire.
Another benefit of Mambo is that the product comes with great support, despite the fact that it has no form of paid support. The platform is backed by an active community of regular users along with a development team that is always making changes to improve the software. And because it is widely supported by most web hosting companies, there is a great chance that your provider has Mambo help resources in their support area.
Availability and Installation
Most web hosts allow you to install the Mambo CMS directly through your control panel interface. If it is not offered, simply download the software from a mambo server or one of many safe, popular download sites. After downloading, configure the application and upload it to your web server. The Mambo software is a cross-platform solution that runs on both Linux and Windows operating systems. From there, all you need is a PHP-enabled server and access to a database such as MySQL. Because a manual installation can be complex for novice users, you may want to inquire within your web hosting provider before making a move. A reputable host will be more than happy to assist at no additional cost.
Features and functionality aside, perhaps the best quality of Mambo is that it can be used freely by anyone. Released under the GNU General Public License, the source code can be modified to make the software perform to meet your particular needs. When it comes to open-source content management, the ease of use, functionality and flexibility of Mambo are hard to beat.


