Moodle

The most authoritative guide on Moodle implementation is Using Moodle, available in print from Amazon or in PDF by download. (This focuses on usage rather than technology.)

Moodle.org has a forum devoted to Hardware and Performance ; reviewing this is an excellent way to develop a realistic perspective.

BlackBoard

Laura Milligan has compiled The Ultimate Guide to BlackBoard, linking to resources from a broad spread of organisations.

Feature comparisons and reviews

With EduTools‘ neat tool you can compare a selection of the most popular CMS, weighting the features that matter, and see users’ review comments under each point.

References:

1. Amazon 2008, Using Moodle: Teaching with the Popular Open Source Course Management System (Using), http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059652918X?ie=UTF8&tag=httpmoodlcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=059652918X
2. Cole, J. and Foster, H., Using Moodle, second edition, O’Reilly, online at http://download.moodle.org/download.php/docs/en/using_moodle_2e.zip
3. Moodle.org 2008, Using Moodle: Hardware and Performance, http://moodle.org/mod/forum/view.php?id=596
4. Milligan, L. 2008, The Ultimate Guide to BlackBoard: 100 Tips and Tutorials, in Smart Teaching, http://www.smartteaching.org/blog/2008/08/the-ultimate-guide-to-blackboard-100-tips-tutorials/
5. EduTools 2008, CMS: CMS Home. Retrieved August 26, 2008 from http://www.edutools.info/static.jsp?pj=4&page=HOME