Blog 2 | Content Management System

1.What is a Content Management System (CMS)? Describe the main characteristics of a CMS. Why might you use a CMS?

A content management system (CMS) is a computer application that allows publishing, editing and modifying content, organizing, deleting as well as maintenance from a central interface.

Characteristics of a CMS –

Provide Rich-text editors.

Online availability.

Allows plug-in installs.

It’s ability to integrate in existing system.

Asset management.

Importing and exporting of data

Why CMS?

1) CMS provides templates, so the users do not have to build a template from scratch.

2) Most of the content management systems are online. It means the web sites can be edited with the access of Internet from anywhere.

3) Many enterprise CMS platforms can securely protect your data and information about your users or members. In addition, they allow you to set rules which make sure that content editors fill in all the necessary information on pages in order to meet accessibility requirements, such as section.

4) CMS allows easy control over the content without even a need of a developer. So, the content owner has the full right of access to modify and edit the content in any way.

2. List five well-known CMSs.

• WordPress

• Joomla

• Drupal

• TextPattern

• ModX

3. What is an open source CMS? Describe the main characteristics of an open source CMS.

Open source CMS means there are a lot of people working in the development of an open source CMS. Plenty of people making sure that the code is solid and the software is easy to use. Documentation is also easy to find, as many of the people writing “how-to” article specifically for that particular open source CMS.

Characteristics of an Open source CMS –

1) Ease of customization

2) Low-cost

3) Discussion forums for general queries.

4) Open platform

5) Community support – More people, better results.

4. Describe the pros and cons of the following approaches to web development:

    Manual creation (in HTML) –

    Pros –

• HTML is widely supported by all Internet browser.

• HTML code is easily readable.

• HTML tool and support is widely available.

• HTML coding is easy to learn.

Cons –

- HTML Code takes to long create without templates.

- HTML code needs alteration in order to get a consistent view in different kind of browsers.

- HTML allows static content to be displayed, but it is insufficient to generate dynamic content on webpages.

Commercial CMS

Pros-

• Web hosting, site maintenance, support and automatic upgrades come included.

• Website functionalities come standard. Commercial CMS don’t use third-party plugins.

• Consistent, integrated user interface. Due to the fact that a unified team of developers designs the commercial CMS software, there is a high level of consistency in the user interface from one module to another.  And because everything is developed under one roof, these functionalities are designed to integrate with one another.

• Security. The company developing the CMS software has greater control over the security of your website’s coding, allowing them to ensure that there are no viruses unintentionally embedded into your site.

• Specially trained support team. A commercial CMS is a business, which means it has trained employees ready to assist you. Instead of scouring forums for answers to questions, commercial CMS users can talk one-on-one with a designated support representative who has access to the backend of your site.

Open source CMS –

• No cost to use the software. There’s no start-up cost, and no monthly fees for the licensing of the software.

• the ability to choose from a huge community of website development companies. There are countless digital agencies willing and able to develop your website on an open source system.

• Thousands of plugins available to enhance your site’s functionality. Most open source CMS will have a large database of plugins and extensions provided by a public community of developers. Anyone can download and use these plugins for their own website. 

• Wisdom of the crowd. The developer community of a particular open source CMS will often have its own forum where individuals can bounce ideas, ask questions, and share tips with one another. This “wisdom of the crowd” leads to increased innovation.

 Free CMS -

Pros –

- Free Service

- User not need to be technically experienced

- Good for the learning purposes or non-commercial purposes.

- Community support available.

- Domain redirecting/routing available.

 Cons –

- Service upgrade fee apply for further customization.

- Security risks

- CMS owner affiliate marketing or logo at the bottom cannot be removed.

5. What are the differences between Drupal and Google Sites?

Drupal Vs. Google Sites

Drupal CMS –

• Free to use

• Open source CMS like WordPress

• Content management framework (CMF)

• Written in PHP knowledge management and collaboration

• Easy to use user interface

Google Sites –

• Easy to learn

• Simple to Setup (no technical experience required)

• Editing On Line (website allows drag and drop features)

• Free (No fees except for ordering a custom domain)

• Secure and Robust. (Underlying Google security systems)

• Powerful (Script integration, plug-ins, custom search engine and more)

6. What are the differences between Drupal and Joomla?

A major contrast in the middle of Drupal and Joomla is the receptiveness and the required ability. Drupal is a broad apparatus that requires some ability and learning to utilize while Joomla is more easy to understand and requires less time and specialized information.

7. What are the differences between Drupal and Plone?
Drupal and Plone contrast in a couple of ways; the most striking is how substance is designed. Plone can return and recuperate each activity of course while Drupal permits recuperation if updates are utilized. Plone's usefulness is isolated obviously and a client can explore to what they require. Drupal is less difficult yet route can be convoluted. Plone is by a wide margin harder to realize when differentiated to drupal, particularly when performing authoritative tasks.

8. Find examples of five sites made using Drupal. Place links to these sites on your blog.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/
http://london.gov.uk/
http://www.grammy.com/
http://adsoftheworld.com/
http://www.vier.be/
http://fastcompany.com/

11. Try out the Drupal demo at: http://tinyurl.com/drupaldemo
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