Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have a question that's not answered here, please feel free to post it on the Symphony forum.
- Why do I have to create an account to download Symphony?
- How much XSLT do I need to know as a prerequisite for using Symphony?
- Why is Symphony now free?
- How does Symphony compare to other free blogging systems?
Why do I have to create an account to download Symphony?
Creating an account sets up your Symphony identity, so you'll be able to use the same login details for the Overture forum and wiki, as well as for downloading or submitting Campfire services. Besides convenience, it also lets the Symphony team know how many people are using Symphony.
How much XSLT do I need to know in order to use Symphony?
To reap the full benefits of Symphony, you should be prepared to learn some XSLT. It's not necessary to be an expert, but the more XSLT you know, the more things you'll be able to create. The default Symphony installation is designed to help ease you into the language, so you might find you can do a lot with just modifying the default files. And there are also many good resources such as A Symphony Walkabout, Building a Symphony Theme and numerous screencasts to help you learn.
Why is Symphony now free?
Upon its initial release, Symphony was not free. The cost, however, was for the built-in support that we provided along with the application, never for the application itself. Now, instead of including support with Symphony, support—along with the pricetag—is now optional.
How does Symphony compare to other free blogging systems?
Symphony's goal is to become a powerful and versatile development tool for building all kinds of content-centric websites, small- and large-scale alike. Although Symphony can certainly be used for blogs, it's capacity doesn't stop there; Symphony is suited to dynamic websites that publish content in almost any format or structure.
That said, Symphony is unmistakably designed for developers. It can provide a great clean and friendly environment for authors, but without an understanding of Symphony's templating system and XSLT, you won't get much further than the default theme. If you're looking for an application that takes care of the technical side of things for you, then Symphony is probably not the best choice.
Zero, zilch, nada
Symphony is absolutely free, so why not take it out for a spin?
Once you create your Symphony account, you can download the latest version of Symphony and get started using it.
Symphony Resources
Overture is the resource website for all things relating to Symphony. It features Campfire service downloads, a Symphony wiki, screencasts and more.
Overture's community forum is full of friendly and knowledgeable Symphony users, and the Symphony team are always quick to respond, so it's a great place to go if you have questions.