Textpattern is a Content Management System (CMS) for running a website without reliance on software installed on a computer.

CMS systems are very popular at the moment, from blogging with WordPress or Movable Type to more fully featured systems like Drupal or Joomla.

Textpattern falls somewhere in the middle, with the simpler approach of blogging software but with some of the more advanced capabilities of the more advanced CMS alternatives.

It requires PHP and MySQL on the webhost. The first is very comman but the second may not be available on some of the cheaper web hosting accounts.

There is a text editor built into the administrator pages so there is no need to learn HTML in order to create attractive pages.

Clubs and societies will appreciate the ability to set up multiple authors on a website so lots of different people can contribute.

Just like other CMS systems it is possible to install plugins to add news functions to the website.

If you want to try Textpattern out without paying for webhosting it can be installed using the JSAS web server software on an ordinary computer.