Best way for a client to update their own site

[jwpward]

Hi

I'm just about to design a website for an artist friend of mine. I've done a couple of other sites as favours to friends, but these have all been quite static.

If my friend wants to update pictures, text etc himself, what's the best way to do this? Is there freeware available so that he can make small changes himself? I've never really looked into how non-technical people can update their own sites.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks a lot

 

[BabyJeffy]

I write small "content management systems" that allow a user to log in and update parts of their site using a web browser. I have not got involved in the open source solutions that are out there (and there are many).

You would need to use a server-side solution and optionally a database. Using includes (SSI) would allow you to let the client edit only certain parts of the page.

Check out google for "cms" and for "content management system" and "free". You will have to get a hosting account that supports a server-side option (php, asp, jsp, cfm etc) as well.

Cheers,
Jeff

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[damber]

search for (free) "content management systems" and free photo gallery web apps. There are plenty about and can speed up your development by providing the base code, the design or both - depending on your needs.

Or if you want to develop your own then you have two separate requirements:

1. Edit Text:
You can use a Rich Text Editor (RTE) such as DevEdit or WebWiz RTE or one of the (many) others.
2. Upload Photo's
You will need an Upload component (or write it yourself) - this may be available as part of your scripting language (you don't say what this is so it's hard to comment). Then this needs to be stored and registered in some kind of datastore for you to consume later.

Behind this you can either use text files (e.g. in XML) or a database to manage the content (text/photos/links/etc)

You can get a lot of this free, so visit google, you should get plenty of results.

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[jwpward]

Hi guys

Thanks so much for your advice. All very helpful!

 

[Foamcow]

Also look at software such as Macromedia Contribute.
It provides a Dreamweaver like WYSIWYG interface and automates uploading, revisions etc.
Looked like a good, inexpensive solution without the need for a traditional CMS.

Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
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