administrator control panel

[Emmanize]

When someone says they want a site where they can “log on as an administrator to make amendments” is this some kind of control panel? If this a peace of software or do you create it? :confused:

[resdog]

maybe some kind of content management system, where they can do simple text changes (like news, latest additions, etc.) but not change any coding things. Kind of like a blog, or Wiki. But they would have master control over content.

[chris_bcn]

somekind of CMS is what you want there

checkout http://www.opensourcecms.com/

or Adobe Contribute, or as resdog says a blog CMS (Wordpress / Expression Engine / Movable Type)

[Drazan]

do not use php nuke and any "nuke" for that matter unless you want to keep updating every month. Post nuke is much better of the family and imo don't even rate a "nuke" title.

eh, I've been in and out of many of the CMS open source communities. Contributed to a lot of them. What do you need the site to do and I can give some direction.

=)
Jade

[Emmanize]

Isn’t this more for a client and what the client should buy? I have used a CMS system when I worked for SUN. Just a bit confused, I mean do we purchase it and have the client purchase it off us or is something I buy and add on to sites I make? My PC is a bit slow so can’t get on the site at the moment. :confused:

[chris_bcn]

unless the client is very web savvy I wouldn't have thought so. If this was agreed upon, then it's up to you to set up etc. They'll pay for it obv. but normally you would add it to your invoice.

CMS systems are template systems. Build your site, and then break it up to fit in with what ever system they use

[Ned]

Yeah, whether you buy it and bill them for it, or they buy it outright, you'll still be expected to set it up for them.

Macromedia Contribute is a good CMS program (though probably not the cheapest).

You may want to offer a monthly mainenance plan instead... Where they pay you something like $50/month, which entitles them to a certain # of basic changes (like say, 10 pages) per month. Any more above the limit is charged extra - like your cellphone plan.
That's really the best for both sides - nobody's website gets screwed up by incompetency, and you save yourself a tonne of work while getting paid an extra regular income at the same time. It's way more work to try to set the client up to do something they're not qualified to do, than for you to just do it yourself every month.

Of course, it is entirely possible that the client is asking for access to the webhost's Administrator Control Panel. If the client has any idea what they're talking about, then that's what they mean. It's more likely that they DON'T know what they're talking about, though. :D

[Drazan]

P.S. opensource is free (usually) and GPL means that you can modify at will.

If there is a cost involved I usually buy it in their name and add it to the invoice.

CMS is content management system. It is modular. Which means that there is usually a basic news/page generator that the client would log in and type into a form much like you type your posts here on the forum. The simple word editor tools are all that most people who want to enter content need.

Modules can be added such as classifieds, forums, newsletters, membership groups, payment/subscriptions, and even shopping carts. Again all these are managed by a form based interface "admin panel".

This type of web application have module themes as well. The themes are a single set of files in a folder that manipulate how the entire site looks. For example you can visit http://www.phpbb.com/styles/demo.php and see by the dropdown calling different styles or folder sets how the whole site can change.

CMS sites tend to be a bit blocky, but within limitations you can usually create a stunning layout and template of your own. Best of this - is that you already have themes to look at to base your own off of so you don't have to start from scratch.

http://e107.org/ is one I contemplated using for a magazine site.

Things to look for when using an opensource project application for the web. It must be active and regularly updated. Security issues must be ready accessable and patches downloadable. A web app should only see a major security issue every few months. If you see security issues popping up repeatedly stay away.

register globals must be off. Beware of anyone asking to use register globals...big flag.

Also the web app should have an active forum. Active as in multiple daily posts.

Or you could try a pay service which could run into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

There are as many CMS as there are genre of sites. What is your site about and I can better point you in the right direction. After all a magazine has much different needs than say a medical site.