Joomla! Come 'n' Get It!

It may take you a few weeks or a few months, but sooner or later you'll get it. And when you do, you'll wonder what the heck you did without it. With over ten million downloads (and growing), Joomla!^TM web site software is the most prolific CMS software on the planet, period. Why? Because it's also one of the most powerful and versatile web content management systems on the planet! Sure Joomla! CMS software has a little learning curve, but once you "get it," you'll love it. And once you love it you'll want to show others all about it too! It's actually fun! Download Joomla! for free (no email address needed, no marketing pitch, no bs - go for it). There's no better place for you to learn about Joomla! than JoomlaChicago, one of the most active independent user groups for web designers, developers, administrators and entrepreneurs. Join today! It's free!

There are now over 300 members from all walks of life - technical, non-technical, small business and enterprise pro's. JoomlaChicago meets once a month in Chicago - the "Content Management Capital of the World." JoomlaChicago meetings are hosted by the CMS Association, and run by people just like you - a group of highly dedicated (and high-energy) web professionals who want to learn and share, while spreading the word on this amazingly powerful free open source software, built for rapid website design, development and document managemement. Lunch is on us. No sales pitch folks, this is the real deal. Now come 'n' get it!

If you're a Dreamweaver junkie, WordPress fan or frustrated user of another more complicated content management system, you'll love Joomla! Join one of the greatest software communities on the planet - right here in Chicago. Between monthly live meetings, our online community and great business, technical and creative contacts you'll make, you'll develop a lock-tight network of folks to help you achieve everything you want, using Joomla!

Created and still maintained by an international "volunteer army" of developers, designers, writers, technicians and producers, the international Joomla! community is a thriving open source group. Millions of websites are powered by Joomla! - from clubs, membership associations, non-profits, school districts, universities and major municipalities to small businesses and worldwide enterprises.

The word "Jumla" is a Swahili-based, meaning "come together." That's what Joomla!TM does - it brings together all the people in the web site creation and production process to work together - simultaneously as one - to create and innovate, maintain and store assets, and collaboratively use a better, faster, stronger web site that includes everyone in the process.

Now you ask: "So, all this mumbo-jumbo is great, but how do I get started using Joomla! CMS software?"

If you haven't done so already, download Joomal! sofware and give it a try. If you get stuck along the way at one or more points in the process, mark those points. Now, we recommend two things:

1. Register (free) for a Joomla! Forum and ask your questions there. We recommend the international Joomla.org Forum, as well as our local JoomlaChicago Forum. You should get some solid answers to your questions.

2. Next, Join a local CMS user group, to make sure you've got an even stronger network of support. There's nothing like face-to-face contact from people who are here to help, and learn.

If you're in Chicagoland, you're invited to come to our free monthly JoomlaChicago meetings, on the second Wednesday of the month. Attendance is free, and so is lunch, but it's limited to just 50 lucky folks, so we recommend grabbing a seat early. The meeting starts at 11:00 am with the basics; noon is on a more advanced subject and at 1pm, you can ask questions till you're blue in the face (or until 1:30, whichever comes first).

JoomlaChicago was started by people who were just getting started using Joomla!. They liked it, but like many, they needed more than an instruction manual or online forum to get up and running. JoomlaChicago is a group of people to share your insights and knowlege. Hosted as a public service of the CMS Assoication, JoomlaChicago is an excellent group to rely on for technical, creative and business insights.

If you're interested in learning more, consider yourself invited to come to the next meeting and find out what you've been missing!