I agree WordPress and some other free CMS sites are not worth the hassle, but I have been working with Joomla for the past 2 years, and you can customise absolutely everything with it, we have never been hampered by the CMS.

I am lucky to work with a top developer and we have integrated any custom feature or system clients have requested. There are lots of tweaks you can do to really press ahead with SEO too.

I have had big businesses contact me to set up joomla sites for their different operations, as they have seen what I can do with it. The problem with custom made CMS packages is that you are also relying on one person who knows the build and design to support it. People will have to rely on you, whereas with other CMS packages, if it is popular, at least there are other peope who are familiar with it.

The only issue with Joomla is you need a designer who ensures your site is regularly backed up and updated to prevent hacking attacks. Also a designer who knows how to add extra security to the site, which comes through experience. A standard joomla site is quite easy to attack through knowing default information of the CMS, such as database names, usernames and admin access.

Good luck in 2010 Tim, you have some nice websites and I enjoy reading your blogs!

Richard, your old buddy from university days