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Content Management
Software, Programs
Note: I haven't updated this page in
some time (since 2003). Some of the listings may be considerably out of date. I am no
longer involved in content production for large portal sites, and if I
were, I would still be recommending in-house development using
open-source or low-cost codes over the higher-priced Content Management
software programs. I definitely recommend against them for any smaller
sites. This historical article and collection of links explains
why.
We pause for this brief (okay, extended
now) rant. So-called "content management software"
(CMS) companies have sprouted up like bad acne across the face of the
Internet over the last five years or so. These companies often overstate
their claims, and if anything is worse than their gouging, it's the
great love for buzzwords,
double-talk and executive obfuscation that characterizes so many of
their web pages. Half the time it's utterly impossible to decipher just
exactly what they are selling you!
Just what is it they are selling
you?
Well, "Content Management
Software" may be one of those "as yet undefined buzzwords
itself. Most "CMS" has one or more of the following
characteristics:
-
Editorial control. In other words, a
digital straight-jacket that allows your technically-challenged
editors to update the site without crashing the web or deleting
everything in site.
-
Version control (see above) - slight
difference is that this feature makes a note of who screwed up what,
and when. In many versions, ever so useful in the editorial
"blame game", utterly useless for much else, unless it
comes with an "undo" feature maybe.
-
Conversion tools. Writer A uses
Quark, Writer B Word, and Writer C Notepad. They can all seamlessly
integrate their content and have it shipped off for both print and
web publication from the same upload point.
-
Customization. If you want to have a
"My.dot.com" page (like "My Yahoo!") where your
users can change content, colours and features on the page, you need
this feature.
-
Content rotation. If you have a
daily or weekly column you can upload a month's worth then walk
away.
-
Content Syndication. Code that
pushes your content out to other sites who pay you for the right to
publish it.
-
Community management tools.
Discussion forums, email management tools, chat boards and other
"toys".
-
Advertising Management. I have also
seen this referred to as "Content usage analysis", but the
bottom line is you want to know who looked at what page, where, when
and for how long, so you can squeeze money out of your sponsors and
advertisers.
There are additional features in
different packages, but these are the fundamental utilities. One thing
they share in common is that they are individually not particularly
innovative concepts. They all exist independently as scripts or packages
in other forms. Some of them as open-source freeware. Yet kludged
together into a package and labeled "CMS" they command prices
in the tens of thousands of dollars. That's ridiculous. A monument to the
Peter Principle.
I was involved in a discussion in an
industry mailing list in the early months of 2001. I left when it became
obvious to me that I was on the wrong list. I thought it was a list
about CMS in general but it turns out it's aimed at techies and middle
managers. There was an abundance of derision and nasty energy aimed at
the consumers and end-users. I got an open, unapologetic and tacit
acknowledgement by many participants that the main purpose for being in
this business is not to provide a desperately needed service at a fair
price, but it is in fact a game to separate one's customers from the
largest amount of money in the shortest period of time. Granted, this
particular list was aimed at techies, so the attitudes there may not be
reflective of the entire industry, however this list is known to be
well-infiltrated by marketing hacks (all irrationally trying to spam the
list which is primarily other vendors, go figure). Few of them responded
positively to my throwing down the gauntlet. Subtle and tactful I was
not - because subtle and tactful did not seem to be getting through to
anyone there. I learned a great deal however, namely that speaking the
truth can generate threats.
I once asked "If you know of a
good CMS discussion group focusing on the user (what an amazing
idea, eh?) drop me a note in email" ... no takers.
Forrester
Research Ranks the Top CMS Products (Warning: Price Alert!!!)
Microsoft's
Content Management Whitepaper: Interesting reading!
