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Assessing the Open-source CMS

Many webmasters have a need to effectively manage content as it enables the creation of large, easy to maintain websites.  The problem is that not everyone can afford the high-end proprietary solutions such as IBM WebSphere and the Microsoft Content Server.  Fortunately, there are also several open-source systems on the market that offer a cost-effective means for achieving the same goal.  This article will shed some light on what you need to look for in an open-source CMS.

For the most part, every content management system is designed to produce the same results.  What mainly sets them apart is ease of use and features.  One product might lack some of the basic features but make up for them with add-on support.  A system that doesn’t have a WYSIWYG editor, for example, may offer support for an add-on module such as TinyMCE.   A product that has a complex interface could be enhanced by modifying the menu system or customizing layout templates.  When it comes to the open-source CMS, it isn’t so much about native features as it is flexibility.  You can access the overall flexibility of a system by viewing it from these angles:

Default Capabilities: The default capabilities of a CMS basically entail what is included with the installation, and determine if you can perform essential tasks without any problems.  When assessing the flexibility of any system, it is important to look for one that offers an acceptable level of basic functionality and provides the structure for creating a dynamic website.

Add-on Support: Most systems support add-on modules so it is up to you to find out what capabilities they possess.  Aside from features, consider how easy they will be to incorporate into the existing system as well.

Templates: Templates are a major part of any CMS as they allow you to modify the look and feel of your content.  If you are proficient with coding, you may want to find a product that lets you write your own templates.  In this case, you would need a system that supports the languages you are familiar with.

SEO: Many content management systems offer search engine appeal right out of the box.  However, not every product does.  Visibility is crucial for a large site so it is best to find a product that enables the easy creation of web pages and appeases the search engines.

Product Recommendations

The open-source CMS market is huge and there are a variety of products available.  Two of the most widely used systems on the market are Drupal and Mambo.  Drupal is a robust system with quality design and clean code.  It comes loaded with exceptional default capabilities as well as templates and layouts that are easily to manipulate.  Drupal is one of the most comprehensive systems available and the preferred choice for many businesses.

Mambo is easy to install and enables the simple management of content-rich sites.  The system includes a number of default features that provide support for multiple authors with little training required.  Both systems are SEO-friendly and support various add-ons for enhanced functionality.  Keep in mind that each product requires that you have a basic understanding of HTML and PHP.

The Insecurity of the Open-source CMS

Open-source content management systems are incredibly popular these days.  Unfortunately, one issue that has always plagued this type software is security.  On the surface, it would seem as if open-source software is more secure than commercial products based on the reported number of security vulnerabilities and activity in the community.  However, this is far from the truth and a misconception that has resulted in trouble for many website owners.  With a proprietary solution such as the Microsoft Content Management Server, you are generally provided with support and insurance against security flaws.  With open-source solutions, you are forced to rely on the support of the software’s developers and user community which means that nothing is guaranteed.

Elements of CMS

The open-source CMS consists of various elements, many of which contribute to vulnerabilities.  The average software includes add-on modules, encryption mechanisms and a plethora of scripting errors.  These elements can simply be a part of a certain product or included into the entire system.  Completely securing such an application on a web server is no easy task.  All publicly accessible server applications are designed for around the clock availability, providing access to visitors and attackers alike.  Without the proper security implementations, an open-source CMS is essentially wide open for an attack.

Insecure software can inflict a significant amount of damage, especially when it comes to a program as functional as a content management system.  When vulnerabilities in such software are exploited, the best result could be the defacing of your website.  The worst case scenario would be the exposure of sensitive data that blemishes your credibility and possibly ruins your business.  There have been various reported instances where vulnerable systems resulted in the leakage of Social Security numbers, credit card details and other personal information.

Joomla, Drupal and other CMS Targets

It is no surprise that some of the most widely used open-source content management systems such as Joomla and Drupal are among the most targeted on the web.  The fact that the source codes of these systems are freely available and have numerous installations make them a prime target.  While the average visitor can’t distinguish between a commercial and open-source product, they tend to be easily identifiable to attackers.  A simple web browser along with the viewing of URLs and HTML patterns in search engine results can give a hacker all the information they need to strike.

One of the most attractive aspects of the open-source CMS is that you can customize and actually own a particular product.  On the other hand, because the software is originally developed by someone else, it is very likely that there are a few things you don’t know about the program, meaning you can’t ensure security after making changes.  This is why many open-source systems include disclaimers against third-party modification as well as the overall security of the software, basically telling developers to use at their own risks.

With so many people handling the code, it is unpractical to think that any open-source CMS will ever be 100% secure.  The best thing you can do when relying on these solutions is to understand the risks, make sure you are using the most recent versions and design your web pages with caution.  Attackers are persistent but not nearly as powerful when their methods of attack are limited.

The CMS Drives the Hosting Industry

Considering the opportunities the internet offers and heavy competition across multiple industries, the simple website that may have sufficed years ago is no loner enough for today’s online business owner.  As content is the major key to generating traffic, the CMS has become one of the hottest commodities in the web hosting business.

More commonly known as a CMS, a content management system is a type of software used to create, edit and manage content on a website.  These robust systems enable processes and workflows to be streamlined and typically involve the organization, categorization and structuring of information.  This technology allows you to store content as entire documents or configurable components, all while maintaining the links in between, making the CMS is great tool for search engine optimization.  Most systems enable the complete control of a website from working with scripting languages and building pages to managing files and actual programs.

Years ago, most web hosting companies only granted their clients with access to areas that permitted them to upload content to the server.  Rarely did they provide a means for controlling management and the structuring of data.  Even corporate users were limited as the tools provided didn’t allow them to monitor what changes had been made to their sites and who made the alterations.  With a CMS, users are fully equipped with tools that offer extensive control over the management functions of their website and all of its content.

Due to mass popularity, web hosting customers with a large amount of content now have various options for implementing content management systems.  With the development of open-source solutions, providers are offering these programs for next to nothing as a part of their monthly hosting plans.  Some of the options you will commonly find are Joomla, Drupal, PHP-Nuke, Mambo and Xoops to name a few.  Here are some other choices on the market:

OpenCMS

Hence the name, OpenCMS is an open source content management freely available to developers and users.  This software is preferred by many small to medium sized businesses as it enables them to create highly customized sites with interactive functionality.  OpenCMS supports a number of web-based programing languages including PHP, XML, Java, JSP and several others.

Microsoft Content Management Server

The Microsoft CMS is more suited for larger enterprises.  This system offers transparent content management and integration along with data transformation and syndication, all of which seamlessly combine various information and business processes.  The Microsoft solution is more advanced than most open-source packages as it has the ability to present information based on the customer’s needs.  The major difference between the Content Management Server and other systems is that it is a Microsoft commercial product, and therefore more expensive.

Regardless of what your requirements are, there is sure to be a CMS out there for you.  These programs go far beyond the basic tools offered by a provider and have the power to transform your site into an interactive, user-friendly platform.  As nearly every host is offering some type of system, it’s safe to say that the CMS is a driving force in the web hosting industry.

Web Designing with Joomla

More people are emerging online to create websites and run their own businesses.  Web hosting technology has evolved to a state where designing has gotten much easier.  There are numerous tools for development from standard site builders to scripting languages and amazing page editors.  Those with more demands than the average turn to more powerful solutions such as the CMS.  When it comes to content management systems, one has been more highly acclaimed than any other – Joomla.

What is Joomla?

Joomla is an award-winning CMS that gives you the power to create dynamic web-based applications and entire websites.  This software is regarded as one of the best open-source content management systems available, world renown for its ability to create anything from a simple website to more complex applications for high-powered corporations.  Thanks to web hosting technology, Joomla can be installed in a few easy clicks.  Best of all, this CMS is freely available to anyone.

What You Get with a Joomla Site

The Joomla CMS is loaded with features, specifically designed for data-driven sites.  This system runs on a wide range of platforms including AIX, FreeBDS, Linux, Mac OS X Server and Solaris.  You can do a lot with Joomla such as editing and managing your products, services or news events and even allow contributing authors to create their own topic sections.  A Joomla site is fully customizable with hundreds of templates offering a variety of fun and professional themes.  This CMS supports a wide range of add-ons which enhances its functionality and the interactivity of your website.  Whether its creating forums and polls or assigning specific areas for your employees, Joomla can get it done.

Administrative Powers

Joomla is a full CMS and gives you complete authority over your website.  Some of the administrative features include:

• The ability to change the order of content such as articles, news and FAQs
• Instant updates with a random newsflash generator
• The ability to grant remote author submissions for articles, news, FAQs and links
• Object hierarchy enables the creation of unlimited pages, sections and departments
• Image library lets you store JPEG, PNG, PDF, GIF, DOC formats on the server
• Automatic Path Finder enables Joomla too automatically repair links
• Archive Manager allows you to conveniently store and organize older articles
• News Feed Manager offers nearly 400 new feeds from around the web
• Comprehensive page editor for easy web development
• Template Manager allows you to download and implement templates in a few clicks
• Real-time previews let you see how the site looks before it goes live
• Banner Manager allows you to easily manage your affiliate and advertising campaigns

One of the greatest attributes of Joomla is its user-friendliness.  With basic knowledge of a word editing program, the novice webmaster can excel with this CMS and create a dynamic site.  From the browser-based user interface you can manage the content of your staff, list products, post job listings, add news headlines and so much more.   Although it isn’t the most powerful solution as advertised, Joomla is very capable and able to greatly enhance your website.

What You Should Know About Drupal

Drupal is one of the most widely used content management systems today.  Some hail it as a better alternative to the popular Joomla CMS.  As an open-source solution, Drupal offers an extensive, highly customizable framework that gives you the power to create amazing websites and applications.  Despite its capabilities, the robust nature of Drupal is the very factor that presents various challenges to the novice webmaster.

The Downside of Drupal

Just like any program, Drupal is susceptible to software bugs and has experienced its share of problems.  Some of these issues relate to compatibility and security.  Because Drupal has a large community, these problems tend to be addressed fairly quickly but the vulnerabilities still exist.  Beginners generally suffer for the obvious reason that they lack web design skills.  These users rely heavily on support in order to find their way.  Unfortunately, obtaining the help you need from an expert isn’t always that easy.

Similar to most open-source programs, Drupal was developed by the people that use it the most.  The program is always being improved and further developed, meaning the CMS is always being modified.  Many of these modifications are made to the core while others are offered as add-on modules.  The developers of Drupal do so on a volunteer basis, fulfilling their own needs before passing the modifications onto the large community.

We point out all of this to say that Drupal is not structured like a commercial software framework such as the Microsoft Content Management Server.  What this means is that there is no technical or customer support team that works for Drupal; no professionals working 24/7 waiting to answer questions and help in your time of need.  Instead, Drupal relies on its community and internal support.  In most cases, this is done through social networking platforms such as online forums, blogs and other resources that have been dedicated to the software.

The Drupal community is huge and very impressive.  However, it can never be as convenient as having a paid support team to fall back on.  When you need help to design your site, you won’t be able to pick up the phone, directly access someone via email or submit a support ticket.  If you don’t know where to look, you could spend days trying to find the answers you need.

The Drupal Solution

There is a solution for the beginner webmaster that finds themself in a Drupal jam.  Understanding the software’s popularity and the ongoing need for technical support, a wide range of Drupal experts have incorporated the CMS into their web hosting packages.  This gives you easy access to professionals who are paid and willing to help out with Drupal web designs, associated programming languages and much more.  In many cases, a support rep will either explain what you need to do or direct you to the resources that explain what you’re looking to accomplish.  After all, there is no need to miss out on having a dynamic website just because you get stuck with something.  With the aid of a Drupal hosting service, you can enjoy all the benefits this robust CMS has to offer.