Monthly Archives: February 2009

One CMS to rule them all…?

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The age old question, discussed by developers for years past…and for years to come.

Is there one CMS to cater to the needs of any and all projects?

CMS stands for Content Management System. This is an application, usually run on the web, that allows end-users to update the content of their website with ease. It can also allow content to be added en mass and worked with by the system (for example, an events guide that only displays upcoming events). For large websites with reams of content, a CMS is invaluable in the organisation, management and authoring of content. In the web industry of today, content management is becoming more and more important, as users with to have as much control over their websites as possible, while minimizing the time spent on the phone or emailing a web developer to update their website for them.

Various options present themselves when faced with the task of selecting a content management option. A variety of pre-made systems exist (WordPress, Expression Engine, Drupal, Joomla, Textpattern, etc) that have been tried, tested and extended by users worldwide. While many of these systems have limitations to their functionality and control from a development perspective, they have been tried, tested and are maintained by users worldwide, which is a huge advantage when developing a system that will grow and flow with the constant change that is the web.

Another option is building your own CMS. While this option is an incredible approach, allowing full control over functionality, integration of a design and extension of the core, it is difficult to keep up a custom CMS with a minimal developer count on the team constructing the system and potential security risks that may have been overlooked. While a these concerns are true, a custom CMS can also be as lightweight as desired, carry only the functionality necessary and be tailored to suit the needs of each website it is used for.

There are pro’s and con’s to each decision. What are your thoughts?

Google give “checking the surf” new meaning

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While catching up with posts on Mashable, a popular social networking and general web innovation blog, I came across an interesting article discussing Google Earth. The digital earth clone (created using satelitte imagery) has announced a move to include underwater feeds in their unique mapping architecture. My first thought, when reading this article, was; “what an awesome way to check the surf”. It then occured to me that these are still images, and the lightbulb quickly defused.
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Christel House SA – A Tweet-up for a Cause

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This Saturday morning past saw a group of tweeters, press, teachers and school-kids arrive at Christel House SA in Ottery for what was truly an eye-opening experience. We planted trees on the school grounds, sharing in the construction and landscaping of what is truly an incredible institution. The Christel House school is an institution that provides education and nourishment to under-privelaged youths (grade RO to Matric) from the surrounding areas. The school bus fetches and returns the children daily, as well as the dining hall providing nutritionally balanced nourishment to the students. We had the opportunity to share in the construction of the brand new Christel House school premisis, as well as a walk-through tour of the grounds and the incredible fascilities the school is offering to it’s students.

Costing in the same bracket as an average public school in South Africa, it is a wonder why more schools have yet to adopt the Christel House SA model. With two sports fields (including a cricket pitch), lush fertile grounds, spacious classrooms, a vegetable garden for each classroom and a host of other fascilities, Christel House SA provides a place where students want to be, to learn and to develop.
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