How does YACS compare to Manila?

The following assessment is based on the features list published at Manila's site. Click here for more information on UserLand software.

Browser-based editing

Authorized users can manage your home page, post blog entries, publish information, edit content, post images and more with any browser from any location.

YACS: With a web browser you can do these, and also post files, define SQL tables, geographical locations, add RSS feeders. Moreover, convenient desktops tools such as w.bloggar can be used as well.

One-click editing

With Manila, there's no need to waste time navigating cumbersome file systems or tedious FTP programs. Simply go to the page you want edit, hit Edit this Page, and make changes.

YACS: Same principle, except that the menu is labelled 'Edit'.

One-click publishing

Create new pages, populate them with content, put in them the correct category, and publish them directly to the web -- all without involving IT staff.

YACS: Same principles. Also, each page has to be put into a single section, and each article can be attached to an unlimited number of categories.

XML member profiler

Gather the user information you need automatically with XML-specified templates. Because the member profiler is customizable, you can build a database of information about the partners, employees, and customers who use your site.

YACS: At the moment users are defined into one single table. This should be improved shortly to existing informatiion sources through LDAP and XML-RPC.

User hierarchies

Manage your site content like news services manage theirs by creating custom user hierarchies with managers, contributors, and members. Each group will be able to make only the changes you authorize, enabling ordered, efficient communication.

YACS: Users can be subscribers, members or associates. There is no hierarchy to keep it simple. Additional rights can be given to some members on some sections or articles, to make these people actual managing editors.

Design control

Choose and change the look, font, colors, and more for any of your Manila weblogs in minutes all without affecting the underlying content.

YACS: 11 reference skins are provided with the software, and each of them can be used as a starting point of a new skin of your own. Of course, skins are completely independant of the underlying content.

Full content management

With templates, macros, and organizational capabilities, Manila lets you create sophisticated sites for a fraction of the price of many content management systems. Manila can also integrate information from diverse sources through COM, ODBC, Apple Events, HTTP, XML-RPC, and SOAP.

YACS: You benefit from the power of the Apache/PHP/MySQL platform

Intuitive navigation

Information is easy for users to find because you can create distinctive URLs for each of your weblogs and Manila sites.

YACS: Each page has its own search-friendly URL. Also, content is fully indexed to enable advanced searching capabilities.

Powerful customization

With Manila, the possibilities are almost endless. You can maximize the impact and effectiveness of your Manila sites using CSS, JavaScript, and custom templates and navigation.

YACS: Fully support any HTML/DHTML/CSS/Javascript design.

ISP-ready

Manila sites are safe, and can be extended thru macros and templates, allowing service providers to differentiate their offerings.

YACS: Support easy upgrades of the software from a reference server. More features like this to come soon.

XML-powered Web Services

Manila automatically turns your content into an XML feed that you can syndicate to internal and external stakeholders, streamlining the flow of important information.

YACS: Provides several flavors of global feeds (RSS 2.0, RDF/RSS 1.0, RSS 0.92, slashdot). Per-section, per-category and per-member feeds are also available.

Manila costs $899

YACS: is free