Selecting and Implementing a Content Management System

Ka-Neng Au
au@rutgers.edu http://newark.rutgers.edu/~au/cms.ppt
New Jersey Library Association 20 April 2004

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What is Content Management?

Supporting the functions required to create, store, retrieve, edit, control, and publish content These functions relate to authors, editors, and collaborators involved in preparing and delivering content

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What is a Content Management System?

An integrated set of software tools that support the content management functions The major components are:

Data repository User interface Workflow scheme Editorial tools Output utilities
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Why a CMS?
To provide an adaptable and extensible platform for managing content Note: content may be

on a Website for a print publication for a product catalog

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Why a CMS for RUL?

To enable:

Self-authoring of content Versioning and archiving of documents Scalability of Website Keeping up with standards Better workflow management Easier re-designs

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Some CMS Qualities

Web-based system Adaptable and extensible to existing server Open-standards, open-source Support metadata Content in XML Include workflow tools Include authoring tools and templates

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Open-standards, open-source
S/LAMP

Solaris or Linux (operating system) Apache (Web server) mySQL (relational DBMS) PHP (scripting language)

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Selection Process
Consider reasons for adopting a CMS Involve diverse group: content providers AND content users Develop list of required qualities Determine budget Evaluate products

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Installation and Configuration

Download binaries Install program Configure modules Test from remote site Patch the program Test some more Implement service
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Current Status at RUL

Postponed implementation

Limitations of software Other Web projects to complete Research alternatives Re-evaluate technology Develop new schedule
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Re-considering choice of CMS

Acknowledgements
Samuel McDonald

Webmaster

Shaun Ellis

Web Developer

David Hoover

System Administrator

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For Further Reading:

Schaeffer, Barry. Navigating the Content Management Jungle: A Survival Guide. Intranet Journal, 19 December 2001. http://intranetjournal.com/articles/200112/pcm_12_19_01a.html Browning, Paul, and Mike Lowndes. Content Management Systems: Who Needs Them? Ariadne, Issue 30, December 2001. http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue30/techwatch/ Kartchner, Chris. Content Management Systems: Getting from Concept to Reality. The Journal of Electronic Publishing, v 3 no 4, June 1998. http://www.press.umich.edu/jep/03-04/kartchner.html Chudnov, Daniel. Open Source Library Systems: Getting Started. Oss4lib readings, February 1999. http://www.oss4lib.org/readings/oss4lib-getting-started.php OSCOM The international association for Open Source Content Management. http://www.oscom.org
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