All about the development of eZ Publish by Graham Brookins, 7x (formerly Brookins Consulting) and our think tank kracker.org.
Announcing eZ Publish Basic: Revitalizing a Classic Open-Source CMS with Full PHP 8 Compatibility
We are thrilled to announce a new project to breathe new life into eZ Publish 2.x, the community-supported CMS that served users for nearly a decade. With PHP's evolution over the years, the original eZ Publish has faced compatibility issues. But now, 7x is leading an open-source initiative to bring eZ Publish 2 into 2025 with full PHP 8 support.
Introducing eZ Publish Basic (Version 2.4.0.0.0)
Launched on GitHub on November 1, 2024, "eZ Publish Basic" marks the first step in our mission to modernize this reliable content management system. Our goal is to retain its core functionality while updating the codebase to work seamlessly with PHP 8. By addressing major changes, such as replacing the outdated "register globals" setting, we aim to ensure that developers and community sites can continue to use and customize eZ Publish Basic with confidence.
The Power of Open Source and the Choice of the GNU GPL License
From the start, eZ Publish was built to be adaptable, transparent, and community-centered. In keeping with that mission, we’ve chosen to update eZ Publish Basic under the GNU GPLv2 (or later version). This choice is central to our commitment: the GPL not only allows everyone to access, use, and modify the software freely but also ensures that improvements remain open and available for all. The GNU license strengthens eZ Publish as a platform by safeguarding both the community’s and developers’ contributions, creating a CMS ecosystem where freedom, adaptability, and innovation flourish.
A Fresh Start for New Developers and PHP Enthusiasts
eZ Publish Basic is designed to be more than just a CMS upgrade—it’s an invitation for new end users or developers to experience the capabilities of a powerful, well-structured CMS that offers a breath of fresh air compared to writing vanilla PHP. This project provides a unique entry point for aspiring developers, where they can learn core CMS concepts that make eZ Publish worth using and adapting in 2025. By working with eZ Publish Basic, developers can gain foundational skills and insight into a robust CMS structure that emphasizes freedom, scalability, and practical solutions.
An Educational Tool for Students and New Developers
This project is intentionally educational, crafted with students and beginner developers in mind, even as it retains the power for production-grade tasks. eZ Publish Basic allows newer developers to learn the fundamentals of PHP and CMS design in an open-source, collaborative setting. While it’s accessible to those still learning PHP, it remains fully functional and ready for any production environment. This approach empowers emerging developers to build real-world skills while contributing to a larger, impactful project and experiencing the value of community-driven software.
Why Join the eZ Publish Basic Project?
For developers, historians of the open-source world, or anyone who used eZ Publish 2 or subsequent versions (eZ Publish 3, 4, 5, and the Netgen or Ibexa OSS adaptations), this project is a chance to support and preserve a piece of open-source history. The open-source community has always been a critical part of eZ Publish’s journey, and we are inviting contributors to help complete this PHP 8 migration and keep eZ Publish Basic as a useful, adaptable solution for years to come.
Project Details
- Repository: GitHub - eZ Publish Basic
- Current Version: 2.4.0.0.0
- Planned Release for Full PHP 8 Compatibility: Q2 2025
- License: GNU GPLv2 (or later version)
Whether you’re a seasoned developer, an advocate for free software, or someone who used eZ Publish 2 in its early days, we invite you to join us. Your contributions—whether in code, testing, feedback, or ideas—will help ensure that eZ Publish Basic thrives as a resource for anyone seeking a robust, open-source CMS. Let’s preserve the values of openness and collaboration while creating a tool ready for today’s web.
Help us keep eZ Publish Basic open, accessible, and adaptable for years to come. Join us today on GitHub and be part of the journey to make this legendary CMS a modern, powerful solution for all.
Together, let’s keep the spirit of free software alive and well in eZ Publish Basic!
Basically I have been working hard behind the scenes to open source the print edition of packt.com's "Learning eZ Publish 3" Book. This was the first book published about eZ Publish and it is now a free / open source documentation project licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. The book is now available for any reader to download and remix or update to the current version to become a contributing author in the next edition / version of the greater Learning eZ Publish 6 book we wish to produce over time.
The work is now under the copyright of 7x and Graham Brookins ensuring that future editions of this material remain free and open to everyone with need for educational material to use to train developers in the use of eZ Publish 6 for years to come.
I am also looking to expand this project in the future with several key initiatives that will spur growth of the greater eZ Community in 2024.
Contact me for more information or if your interested in supporting of new eZ Publish End User Education Initiatives in 2024/2025.
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