RedDot Web Content Management Software David Yamamoto UCLA Library TechTalk March 26, 2002

The “Old” Way Many content providers/editors with varying levels of HTML skill Few Webmasters with server access New or edited Web pages channeled through Webmaster, or… Webmaster creates Web pages from other formats (e.g., Word docs, messages, hand-written notes on napkins)

The “Old Way” (Continued) Webmaster checks HTML/links and creates appropriate referring links Webmaster FTPs pages to staging server Pages go live following day Repeat as needed

Typical Workflow: Current Practice

The Problem No HTML standards No stylistic standards Content, which is expensive, is “polluted” with cheap HTML Only privileged (or cursed) few can publish Web pages Webmaster is bottleneck Global changes very difficult

The Problem (Continued) Link rot No versioning Site variants (e.g., text only, WML, XML, equivalents) very difficult to create Site redesigns very difficult

The Solution…

Web Content Management Software

Workflow: Current Practice

Workflow: CMS

What Does WCM Software Do? Separates content from presentation Centralizes layout, look and feel Maintains link consistency and integrity Enforces publication policies and workflows, and...

What Does WCM Software Do? (Continued) Allows non-HTMLers to create and contribute Web content Defines users roles and assigns permissions accordingly

WCM Components Templates Content administration Site structure Workflow Versioning User levels

RedDot Levels & Power Power High Low

RedDot Levels & Political Power Power Low High

Demonstration

David’s Evaluation So Far Good flexibility, scalability, versatility Fairly intuitive SmartEdit mode Good response time over 56K modem DHTML/JavaScript client occasionally buggy Rather steep learning curve for level 1 & 2 administrators Project development can be complex

Road to Implementation* Central library site ca. April 2002 System, workflow, and roles analysis Training for level 2 administrator (or “site builder”) RedDot project development for pilot unit site Training for level 3 & 4 editors *Views expressed by the speaker do not necessarily reflect the views of Library Administration.

Workload Implications: CMS Vs. Current Practice

Site Design Related to Implementation Workload

Question?

RedDot Web Content Management Software David Yamamoto UCLA Library TechTalk March 26, 2002