Open Source Content Management Systems

Open Source Content Management Systems (CMS) have become the new standard of websites on the Internet and are clearly the way of the future for website owners. When the Internet first came into being, computer people and then graphic design people started developing websites.

The Early Days of Web Development

If they were like BeareWare, their first project was most likely for a friend or a club. Developers used a wide variety of early tools. Many programmed directly in HTML, while others used development tools created by companies to help streamline the process.

Early Website Development Tools

Some of the most common tools were Microsoft products like Publisher and Frontpage. More sophisticated options included Dreamweaver and Flash, which specialized in great graphic effects, along with other development tools.

Webmasters installed these tools on their PCs and built websites offline. Once completed, they published the site to the Internet using FTP.

How Early Website Management Worked

This setup worked fine for webmasters. They made changes and republished updates. For website owners, though, everything had to go through a webmaster to get online.

In the first generation of websites, owners would type out updates in Microsoft Word, email them to their webmaster, and hope updates happened quickly. A few adventurous owners tried to manage their websites themselves, but most found it required more than just ready content.

Still Sending Content to the Webmaster?

Many website owners still send content to their webmaster today. So what finally gave website owners the power to manage content directly?

The second generation of development tools arrived: Open Source Systems, Website Builders, and Custom Application Websites.

New Systems for Website Management

These systems allow website owners to update their websites directly through a web browser without extra software. Here’s a look at each:

• Custom Application Websites: Developers create these from scratch for large, unique projects. They are the most expensive option. Updates often require more custom work, making long-term support a challenge. Many small companies invested heavily in custom sites without needing them, only to watch them become obsolete within a few years.
• Website Builders: These tools allow owners to build and update websites online. They use pre-existing templates and are affordable. But, they often lack the flexibility needed to fully match a client’s business and marketing model.
• Open Source: Around the late 1990s, open source CMS systems exploded in popularity. They offer professional-level functionality and flexibility at a fraction of the cost.

The Rise of Open Source CMS

In the early 2000s, world-class CMS systems began emerging. These database-driven systems come as a base application installed on a web server.

Open Source means programmers like BeareWare can fully customize the system for each client’s needs. Clients update their own content through a web browser, giving them full control over their website.

CMS in Everyday Life

You’ve seen CMS-driven sites without even realizing it. Blogs, comment-enabled news sites, and many more use CMS technology.

Leading programmers worldwide continuously develop CMS systems. Large user bases contribute new features and improvements. Open Source CMS offers clients state-of-the-art systems without expensive license fees. Costs go toward customization and implementation instead.

Why Open Source Content Management is the Future

BeareWare has been building Open Source CMS websites for clients for over two years. We use Joomla!, a system with more than 5 million users worldwide.

We believe Joomla! is the best CMS available. It delivers cutting-edge technology today and ensures clients access to future upgrades. Its administration area is superb and user-friendly. CMS systems put website owners firmly in control, while significantly reducing management costs.

Think Long-Term with Your Website

Look three to five years down the road. If you rebuild from scratch every few years, you’ll constantly question your investment.

An Open Source CMS website keeps the latest technology at your fingertips. If you want a new look later, you can redesign your site’s graphics quickly and affordably without rebuilding the entire system.

CMS Systems Feel Familiar

If you’ve used Microsoft Word or Publisher, you’ll feel right at home updating text and images with CMS tools.

CMS systems also offer add-on modules like Online Shops, e-NEWS, Photo Galleries, and Events Calendars. These add-ons integrate beautifully with Joomla!.

BeareWare’s Commitment to Client Success

We anticipate that by mid-2008, all of our clients will be using CMS. We are dedicating resources to client training and documentation. Our clients will become true content managers, fully in charge of their websites.

It’s an exciting time to be a website owner thanks to Open Source CMS systems!