Update: This project seems to have ceased development, as noticed from its github page. The website seems unreachable also. That’s the end of an era for a Content Management System I found quite likeable.

What was TypesetterCMS?

TypesetteCMS was lightweight,fast Content Management System (CMS). It iwa based on PHP, and is open source CMS. Most importantly, it is a flat file CMS and therefore does not require any database, which also makes it easily portable. Unfortunately, like many community or open source projects, its development had stalled over the past few years.That may no longer be the case. Recently, there have been some positive developments. Version 5.8 preview is out in the wild, (the maintainer calls it late alpha/ early beta) and I spent some time tinkering around with it.

History of TypesetterCMS

In the world of content management systems, there are many options available for businesses and individuals looking to create and manage their websites. One such option that gained relevance in the early 2010s was TypesetterCMS. However, despite its initial success, the project has experienced a decline in development and support, leading to its eventual discontinuation in 2021.

Why did TypesetterCMS gain relevance?

TypesetterCMS was an open-source, PHP-based content management system that aimed to provide a user-friendly and flexible solution for creating and managing websites. It was first released in 2010 and quickly gained a following for its ease of use and customizable features. One of the main reasons for TypesetterCMS’s initial popularity was its drag-and-drop interface, which made it easy for users to design and customize their websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. Additionally, the platform offered a wide range of plugins and themes, allowing users to further enhance their websites’ functionality and design. However, despite its early success, TypesetterCMS’s development began to slow down in the late 2010s. This was due to various reasons, including a shift in the market towards more popular CMS options such as WordPress and Joomla, as well as the rise of newer and more advanced technologies. Furthermore, the project’s lead developer, Steve, announced in 2021 that he would no longer be able to dedicate time and resources to the project due to personal reasons. This led to the discontinuation of TypesetterCMS, with the last stable release being version 5.1.2 in May 2021.

Current status of TypesetterCMS in February 2024

As of now, the project remains inactive, with no new updates or developments. However, the website and forums are still accessible for users to download the last stable version and seek support from the community. It is worth noting that while TypesetterCMS may no longer be actively developed, the project’s source code is still available on GitHub, allowing for potential future developments. Note: If you try to install TypesetterCMS via Softaculous or Installtron in shared hosting, you may see a warning similar to the attached. (Last update: Version 5.1, dated August 2017. And a warning highlighted in yellow)
TypesetterCMS was a promising content management system that met an unhappy ending.

This post is a part of ongoing series on Content Management Systems. In the past I have covered Known CMS, ClassicPress among others. More CMS to follow in the coming days.
Feature Image: Amar Vyas, 2021. This post is a part of the series on Content Management Systems(CMS). For more posts in this series, visit here.
This post was updated on 2022-02-234-02-15
Categories: Notes Blog