XOOPS is a free open-source content management system (CMS), written in PHP. It uses a modular architecture allowing users to customize, update and theme their websites. XOOPS is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is free to use, modify and redistribute. Overview XOOPS is an acronym of "eXtensible Object Oriented Portal System". Though started as a portal system, it later developed into a web application framework. It aims to serve as a web framework for use by small, medium and large sites, through the installation of modules. For example, a small XOOPS installation can be used as a personal weblog or journal, but this can be expanded upon and customized, i.e. users might add the appropriate modules (freeware and commercial) to store content in news, forums, downloads, and others. Books have been written about XOOPS in five languages. Awards and recognition 2006 Community Choice Awards, first runner-Up status in the SourceForge.net's in the development category A 2008 review from Germany's "Chip" magazine gave it 5 stars; a 2008 review in "Adobe Edge" magazine placed it in the Top 3 content management systems 2008 China-Japan-Korea Open Source Software Contest Award 2008 Top 5 in Packt Publishing's "Best PHP Open Source CMS" and was Top-5 finalist in 2009 Best Overall CMS Award category. Onokazu, a founder of XOOPS and Taiwen Jiang, Development Lead, won the title of "Open Source CMS Most Valued People" at the Packt awards in 2008 and 2009 respectively. 2009 Grand Prize in OSS Challenge in Korea Key features Community Because XOOPS is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) the growth and development of XOOPS is dependent on the contributions of a worldwide community effort. Database XOOPS uses a relational database (currently MySQL) to store data required for running a web-based content management system. Advanced access control layer Administrators have the ability to grant specific groups of users specific access rights to content and features such as edit, delete, upload, add attachments, publish content, and so on. Modularized Modules can be installed, uninstalled, activated, and deactivated using the module administration system. Core features usable by modules XOOPS possess a number of core features that can be used by modules like permissions, comments, notifications and blocks features. Personalization Administrators have the ability to set specific permissions for user access and control of individual elements of their websites. User Management