I realise that there is no one tool for complete web development. However, in searching the internet and looking at WordPress, Drupal and a host of other blog/CMS programmes a question rose in my mind:

It seems that I could choose one programme that covers most of what I want to do, or select specific programmes that specialise in different areas.

I could use Drupal as a cover all, blog, forum, etc. Or I could use WordPress for the blog, PHPBB for the forum, Gallery for the photos.

The real question is which avenue is better?

If you learn Drupal well, it seems easier to maintain and upgrade, but then you may not get quite the functionality that a specialist programmes may give.

However, specialist programmes require more learning and I would imagine a longer update cycle. Plus the fact that you then have no continuity of how the site looks, and end up with many mini-sites doing different things. Having said tha with the advent of Fantiastico and Simple Scripts installing these things is but a click away!

I hope you can see where I am coming from, and would appreciate your input. At the moment, I’m unsure which way to turn.