We get a growing number of questions from clients about what Joomla version to use. This is not a simple question to answer, since the answer varies from site to site and can be different per client, even if they run identical versions.
In some cases a simple update or patch will help adding the latest security improvements, in other cases migrating obsolete code to a newer version might be the correct answer. Sometimes a pragmatic answer like 'sit still don't spend any money and', might be best.
It may become too costly to migrate a relatively small Joomla 1.0 site to the latest 1.7-version available, especially when it hardly gets any traffic. In the event this 1.0 site is on a server with business critical applications/sites however, we'd strongly suggest to either move the site to a different server or safeguard your investments by migrating this obsolete site to Joomla 1.7. We would say the same for an intranet based on Joomla 1.0, just to further safeguard your valuable company information.
One of the aspects to bare in mind is the Total Cost of Ownership, which is based on:
- Software Acquisition Cost (zero or minimal when using Joomla for your web project)
- Development Cost
- Maintenance Cost (like patches, upgrades, migrations, solving compatatibly issues)
Information about past, present and future Joomla versions and release dates are a bit scattered over the internet. In an effort to help you forecast your future maintenance cost for Joomla upgrades/migrations, we have created a timeline for you, based on the latest release planning available.
How To Choose Your Next Version
- Check the current version of your site:
Login in the administrator backend of your site, normally at www.yourdomain.com/administrator and check the footer text. You will find your current version number there. - In the timeline, choose the Year + Month in which you would consider to start using a newer version (if any)
- Check in what phase of the lifecycle your version currently is.
• General Availability (Green): Your version is considered to be 'Stable'. As long as you run the latest patches, you can consider your site to be up-to-date
• Supported (light Green): Same here, the Joomla Project actively supports your version by releasing upgrades and security patches. As long as you run the latest patches, you can consider your site to be up-to-date,
• End-of-life (Grey): Your version is considered to be obsolete. The Joomla Project DOES NOT actively support your version by releasing any upgrade or security patch. Consider to use the latest General Availablity-version (Green) that has been released.
Example
- If you use Joomla 1.0.x today (August 2011), consider to migrate to Joomla 1.7.0, the latest General Availability/Stable version available.
- If you use Joomla 1.5.10 today (August 2011), upgrade to 1.5.23 a.s.a.p. and consider to migrate to Joomla 2.5.0 early 2012.
- If you use Joomla 1.5.23 today (August 2011), consider to migrate to Joomla 2.5.0 early 2012.
Please note that there are always some sidenotes to make here, like the availability of extensions and templates for your newer version. Starting point would be to check if your IT Infrastructure/hosting solution supports the technical requirements of the newer version.
Conclusion
Highly simplified: as long as the Joomla version you are using isn't in a Grey area in the timeline above, you should be fine.
Migration Scan for Joomla
We will be happy to assist you in your decision making process. For this reason we have launched a Migration Scan-service, in which our qualified support staff will help you decide if, how and when to upgrade or migrate to Joomla 1.7 Joomla 2.5, currently the latest Stable release available.
With the outcome of this Migration Scan there is no obligation to let Open Source Support Desk perform any next step. You will however have all the required input to make a decision on your next step, including an estimate and planning.
Why wait? 
