This Deep Dive explores PluckXML, a flat-file Content Management System (CMS) designed to simplify website creation by eliminating the need for a traditional database. Instead of complex SQL databases, PluckXML stores all content, settings, and user data in human-readable XML files organized in folders on the web server. This approach offers significant advantages in portability, making it easy to move entire websites by simply copying files, and simplifies backups. The system supports up to five distinct user profiles with different authorization levels, and includes features like static page creation, post management with categories and tags, automatic archives, and integrated comment management. PluckXML is highly customizable through themes and plugins, and its long history, evidenced by support for older mobile platforms, suggests stability. Technical prerequisites include a web server running PHP (7.2 or higher recommended), the GD library for image manipulation, and the PHP XML library for data handling. Installation is straightforward, involving downloading, unzipping, and a simple browser-based setup. Updates require backing up the crucial ‘data’ folder before overwriting program files. PluckXML boasts translations into 11 languages, including less common ones like Occitan, indicating a dedicated community. It is available on GitHub under a GPL 3.0 license, showing consistent interest and activity. The core takeaway is that PluckXML provides a functional, collaborative, and easy-to-manage website solution without the database complexity, prompting consideration of whether simpler, flat-file CMS options are often overlooked in favor of more complex, default systems for smaller projects.
