Advice needed to create editable website

**f.artur** · 03-28-2005, 03:29 AM

Hello all,

I am the web-master of a tiny website that I manage for my sculpture teacher. The purpose of the site is to make her known and inform on the courses she offers. It has very few pages and needs updating 3 or 4 times a year, and so far I have done this myself, but she would like to be able to update the site herself. She doesn't know much about computers and not a thing about web editing, so I am trying to find a solution for her to update the site through a simple web interface. I found a Wiki engine called TikiWiki that seems to do that, but I am not sure it's a good idea to use it. At best it seems like overkill, and as site administrator I'm afraid I may not be up to it technically.

My needs are very simple but I must have control over user access, as basically two persons only should have access to editing functions. I want to be able to update existing pages (description and rates of the regular courses), and create new ones for special events. And it would be nice to be able to upload images in a page, though I can probably do that using a php script like phpwebgallery. Also, I need something that can basically run itself, as I won't have time to check on it every day and my technical knowledge is limited to basic html. And I almost forgot, I need a French version as this is a French web site.

I'd be grateful for any advice or recommendation.

Thanks in advance
Florence

**ORiN** · 03-28-2005, 09:44 PM

Hmm... You might want to try a very basic CMS so that she can update anytime she wants. Try looking at www.hotscripts.com under Content Management. You will find some basic CMS that will not be an overkill for something simple.

**f.artur** · 03-29-2005, 01:40 AM

Thanks, I'll check it out

**Brendan22** · 03-29-2005, 05:36 PM

http://opensourcecms.com/

check out the 'Lite' section specifically, you can try out the different systems there too

**f.artur** · 03-30-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaminB

http://opensourcecms.com/

check out the 'Lite' section specifically, you can try out the different systems there too

Thanks, I found a link to this site in another thread and it was very useful. I did a few tests using their sandboxes and I am now trying to install Website Baker, which seemed the most suitable system.

**JohnJ** · 08:45 AM

I have more and more of my customers that want to manage the text and pix on their own website.

I build the site, place a template around the navigation bar and other areas that could hurt them if they messed it up, then let them buy Contribute through the Macromedia website ($150). This program allows them to browse to the webpage they want to edit, click on edit (which downloads the page to their computer, make the changes they want then click publish - - Done....

If your client can use Microsoft Word they can use Contribute. You can view a demo of the software here: http://www.macromedia.com/software/contribute/ by clicking on 'View On Demand Seminar'

One downside - If you want to maintain the site using Dreamweaver you'll have to have a copy of Contribute on your computer also - - otherwise you should be able to install the software for your client (on their computer) and configure it to connect to the their website for them.

Standard Disclaimer: I have no interest in this product (financial or otherwise) - Just happen to like the product and have good feedback from my customers that use it.

**ORiN** · 03-30-2005, 08:50 AM

The company I used to work with developed a online web editor that locks most areas that are not supposed to be edited while allowing the client to log in and edit the news on his website. It is an interesting idea for people who do not know much HTML. I will try to contact my friend to find out the name of the product.

**HaRRo** · 03-30-2005, 12:03 PM

Google mediawiki

**f.artur** · 03-31-2005, 04:33 PM

Thank you all for your advice. I haven't had time to work on this lately but I will check those suggestions.

JohnJ, this may be the most practical solution though it's not free. I'll download the trial version.

ORiN, I'll check back to see if you have a link for me.

HaRRo, I don't think a wiki is what I need, I'm looking for something more simple.

**pappasaa** · 03-31-2005, 05:08 PM

what does she need to edit? is it just text or images and files. Frontpage is what i show my clients how to use because its easy for people to use. One of my clients cant open a door without messing it up and edits his site not with frontpage

**f.artur** · 04-01-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappasaa

what does she need to edit? is it just text or images and files. Frontpage is what i show my clients how to use because its easy for people to use. One of my clients cant open a door without messing it up and edits his site not with frontpage

Hi,

She needs at least to modify the text of existing pages, and sometimes add images.

There is also a need to add new pages, e.g. for special events, and for this Website baker seems to work fine because it updates a menu every time you add a page, so there is no need to manage links manually. But if we don't use Website baker, I could create a few generic pages for special events, and then she would only have to replace the text each time. I think that could probably work.

The most complex need that we have is to maintain an image gallery with photos of her works and works of the students and children she teaches to. This need is not addressed by website baker (I think), or by Frontpage because I don't think it would update the links automatically.

Maybe the best solution would be to separate the site in two parts: one static part that she could update using Contribute or Frontpage, and a web gallery part using a php script like phpwebgallery (which I haven't tested yet but can be installed automatically by the web hosting service).

Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look at Frontpage this week-end.