How to setup an Intranet site and a FREE alternative to Sharepoint

web-server sharepoint intranet joomla

10,196

Solution 1

Hey, SharePoint Services (WSS) IS free. Microsoft Office Sharepoit Services (MOSS) isn't, but for the purpose of an intranet site, WSS should do it.

This is of course if you are using Windwos Server as a base... (which is not free).

Edit: Here is a good comparison between WSS and MOSS.

Solution 2

I would recommend Mindtouch (formerly Deki Wiki). http://developer.mindtouch.com/

We use it for exactly this purpose; company announcements, sharing of public files and documents, and a knowledgebase and documentation repository for IT staff.

You can run it in the pre-provided VM image, which we are currently doing, or you can install source to a Linux server, or MSI to a Windows server.

You mentioned calendar features, which this won't currently do. However there has been talk of implementing Exchange Calendar access, its just no one from the community has stepped up to make it happen.

The open source verison is free, while you can pay for support and additional enterprise-level extensions (such as salesforce integration etc).

Solution 3

Have a look at Alfresco open source Enterprise Content Management. It can be used standalone and integrates with Joomla and Drupal.

Solution 4

Maybe good old DNN can help with your tasks, It got very good modules for Events, Forum, File and Picture sharing, Also easy to set it up and run.

Solution 5

Normally with WSS you can have all you need. Also check out the following resources to help you build your intranet:

Application Templates for Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Lots of OOTB apps for an Intranet, such as Project mgt, Document Discussions, classroom mgt, timecard mgt... worthy to take a look at.
Ten Themes for SharePoint in VSeWSS Projects (look it up on MS Download site), with these you can change the L&F of your intranet site, so it doesn't look like Sharepoint. You'll need Visual studio and other tools for installing them.

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10,196

stead1984

I've been a member of serverfault since 2008(ish) when I started as a Network Manager role for a small pharmaceutical company. After 3+ years as a network manager, I accepted a role of Deskside Support for a large rail infrastructure business. While the role was perhaps a backwards step technically, it would provide me with the exposure to large networks and a more promising career path. As of last year my company has been acquired by Siemens, which resulted in a nearly 2 year IT integration project. I'm currently employed as an Infrastructure Support Engineer for Siemens. This role involves support of Sun Solaris 10, I have a little knowledge of Unix/Linux gained from training courses. Serverfault has always been an incredibly useful tool for me during the years and if those answers that are not applicable are always enlightening and will continue to prove it's value to me as this role develops.

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

stead1984 over 1 year

I've been tasked with the job of building a web server and Intranet site using perhaps Joomla for creating an alternative to Microsoft Sharepoint and would like some advice of what steps to take and how to get started.

A bit of background is that we used Sharepoint which was included with our SBS server, and have migrated to Server 2003 and would like to have a solution as similar as can be to Sharepoint for FREE or a fraction of the cost. Ideally we would like it to be a central point for employees to use to keep upto date with Internal news, have a calendar, and links to stored documents like SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures).

I hope that explains it a bit better, sorry for being so unclear in my first post!
- pauska almost 15 years
  
  Very nice question, I'm looking for the exact same solution!
tomdeb almost 15 years

It might be free as in free beer but not free as in freedom. One of his requirements might be his freedom.
AlexDrenea almost 15 years

absolute freedom only comes when coding your own solution out of the problem :)
Taras Chuhay almost 15 years

Sharepoint services are NOT free, since you pay for the OS.
Rob Moir almost 15 years

@Taras - since the OP's already purchased Windows 2003, it's close enough to "free" as makes no odds from their point of view; the cost of the windows 2003 licence to run it isn't an issue.
Kara Marfia almost 15 years

I like this one, if there are any wiki packages that support document-sharing?
S73417H over 14 years

Site collections are their own database, but webs in a site collection are all in the same DB and are searched accordingly. Many small companies can do just fine with a single site collection.
Decebal over 14 years

yes, but you never know when you need to buy a new copy if you outgrow your old server or put more stuff on it, and upgrades still cost.
raklos almost 13 years

the link doesnt work