nimbletoad blog

Nimbletoad unveils caimeiju.com, a powerful web-based research tool built on the open source Content Management System Joomla!, utilizing the JoomlaWorks K2 content creation component and JPGraphs Object-Oriented PHP Graph creating library.

By integrating these tools, we were able to develop this site for our client Language Media Agency at a fraction of what proprietary technology would have cost. Caimeju.com shows the power CMS systems have beyond a basic website. Open source CMS systems, like Joomla! can be used to build dynamic web applications that stand along side some of the best proprietary software on the web.

By using JPGraphs, we were able to render statistical graphs on the fly in PNG format, allowing for a much faster display of the community data. Users are able to access the information without the constraints or need to install proprietary tools such as Adobe Flash on their web browser. Caimeiju.com is one of the most robust real estate tools that can be viewed on smart phones such as Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s Blackberry. Users of the iPhone and other smart phones can view the site and graphs without waiting for Adobe Flash to be available on their devices.

Caimeiju.com is a landmark real estate research tool, targeting Chinese Real Estate buyers in the US market. Caimeiju’s community data spans 1700 California cites, with plans to expand service to additional regions in the future.

Although FrontPage has been out of development since 2006 many people still use it despite the headaches and limitations. Microsoft’s replacement software, SharePoint and ExpressionWeb are even more complicated and designed to only work well with other Microsoft programs and servers. When we show people our open source solutions it is like the blinders have been lifted. Web development built on open source frameworks frees clients of the proprietary shackles and allows their web presence to flourish freely.

Open source CMS such as Joomla, Drupal and WordPress have become powerful web development tools because of the freedom of instant collaboration. Developers can construct websites with the peace of mind that they will work while still being able to customize the design to fit the clients aesthetic. Not to mention the infinite possibilities for customization with independent PHP programs one can develop to plug into these CMS sites.

Functionality first, design second. This really is what we want in everything, the only exception to the rule is art because the aesthetic is it’s function. Today websites are focusing on functionality first because frankly we don’t have the attention span for the theatrics of an all Flash site. We have become a society that is plugged in everywhere and connected virtually at all times. That is what makes the worldwide community of idea sharing and collaboration known as open source all the more important. Open source allows our websites, blogs, and social networking to operate across all our media gadgets. Proprietary programs just don’t have the functionality, freedom and speed we need in today’s media market. ###