Joomla 2.5: Should I upgrade my site?
Do you have a Joomla 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 or 1.7 website? If so, it's time to make a plan to convert to Joomla 2.5!
Maybe you just heard about Joomla 2.5, which was released on January 24, 2012. Perhaps you think that this newest version of Joomla isn't anything you need. Have you already decided that you're not going to upgrade to Joomla 2.5? We encourage you to do some research.
Content management systems (like Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress, and hundreds of others) all have versions. Like all software, each version offers more features, but they also include important security updates! With open source software like Joomla, security updates are particularly critical to avoid having your website hacked.
Joomla series 1.5, 1.7 or 2.5 are still supported by the Joomla community, and security updates continue to be released for these Joomla verisions. However, Joomla 1.0, 1.6 and 1.7 are no longer supported by the Joomla community with security updates. Here is the release and support cycle:
| Joomla version | Release date | End of Life | Release Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Jan 2008 | Sep 2012 | Long |
| 1.6 | Jan 2011 | Aug 2011 | Short |
| 1.7 | July 2011 | Feb 2012 | Short |
| 2.5 | January 2012 | Aug 2013 | Long |
| 3.0 | September 2012 | February 2013 | Short |
| 3.1 | March 2013 | September 2013 | Short |
| 3.5 | September 2013 | Feb 2015 | Long |
Your website is a significant part of your business. It's important to weigh the risks of migrating to Joomla 2.5. As you can see from the chart, Joomla 2.5 is a long term release meaning it will be supported with security updates for the next 18 months. Can you afford to have your website hacked and down for days or weeks? Do you know how to fix a hacked site? Please include those costs as you determine the amount of risk you are willing to take.
4Web did 10 Joomla version conversions in 2011 and have more lined up already. Feel free to contact us if you think we can help you!