iwmw b9 inside_the_pantheon_uploadversion
DESCRIPTION
Using Dreamweaver as a publishing interface may not have been considered for institutions who want to manage their dynamic web content as its traditional focus has been on editing static web pages. However, at Kent, time and resource issues required an intermediate solution to roll out a new branding across our websites. In the process we developed a framework (codenamed Pantheon) for pulling in and managing dynamic content using static pages and a series of tools which integrate with Dreamweaver giving departments great flexibility in creating good looking web pages.Although initially intended as a temporary solution, the package was very well received by the University web publishers, so much so that a version 2 was approved and recently built and deployed. This talk will look at the project, the relative merits and drawbacks of the approach and how it has altered our approach to the development of the final CMS.At the end of this session, delegates will have investigated and discussed a new take on old technology and discussed the possibility that maybe this is another stepping stone on the path to a full content management system.TRANSCRIPT
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INSIDE THE PANTHEONA flexible Dreamweaver Framework for
managing traditional and dynamic content practically and cost effectively
John Ennew MEng CEng MIET [Project Manager / Software Engineer]
Dan Fryer [Web Consultant] ; Dave Clark [Senior Web Developer]
Email: [email protected]
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Agenda
Presentation The need and Environment at Kent The Pantheon Product
Demonstration Product Assessment Rollout projects and the web author
community Discussions
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The Situation in 2006
Web Authors
Central web support
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
External company
Bespoke UI
Department’s web specialist
Bespoke UI
Academic Departments (~40) Service Departments (~20)
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The need and environment
1. Apply central brand and unified look and feel2. Provide departments with the flexibility to express themselves
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CODE
The need and environment
3. Improve the manageability of the code to simplify support
CODE
CODE
CODE
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The need and environment
4. Allow bespoke themes
Special project site themes
Arts Centre Theme
Kent Central Theme
Departmental Theme
Corporate Site Themes
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The need and environment
5. Create a standard user interface6. Create a permissions system
7. Restore old versions of pages in case of mistake8. Versioning of pages
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The need and environment
9. Allow content sharing
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The need and environment
Summary of the Institution’s needs
1. Apply central brand and unified look and feel
2. Provide departments with the flexibility to express themselves (sub sites)
3. Improve the manageability of the code to simplify support
4. Allow bespoke themes5. Create a standard user interface6. Create a permissions system7. Restore old versions of pages in case of
mistake8. Versioning of pages9. Allow content sharing and reuse
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How to implement a CMS?
CMS Components…• Content Management• Page Management• Image Management• Site Structure and Navigation Management• Admin (editing) interfaces• Permissions systems• Content Categorisation and tagging• Data migration ….. etc
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The Product
What does the current setup provide?
1. Apply central brand and unified look and feel2. Provide departments with the flexibility to
express themselves3. Improve the manageability of the code to
simplify support4. Allow bespoke themes5. Create a standard user interface6. Create a permissions system7. Restore old versions of pages in case of mistake8. Versioning of pages9. Allow content sharing and reuse
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The Product
Page 12
Central Codebase
Departmental TemplateCentral Template Conferences Template
FinanceSchool of Physical
SciencesSchool of European Culture
and Language
French German
• Enterprise solution
• Extensible and flexible framework
• Updates easy to apply
• Departmental sites
• Customisable• Code accessible by
the department
• Sub Sites
• Allow departments to theme a section within their site
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The Product
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Departmental TemplateKent Header
Departmental BannerA title and strong image consistent with the department’s branding.
Consistent throughout the site but can be changed for sub-sites
Content areaDepartmental colour Scheme
Allows easy inclusion of web snippets
FooterDepartments contact details accessible
from every page
MenuDefines the site navigation.
Departmentally configurable. Independent of the file structure
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The Product
What does Pantheon provide?
1. Apply central brand and unified look and feel
2. Provide departments with the flexibility to express themselves
3. Improve the manageability of the code to simplify support
4. Allow bespoke themes5. Create a standard user interface6. Create a permissions system7. Restore old versions of pages in case of
mistake8. Versioning of pages9. Allow content sharing and reuse
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The Product
Forum discussions
Streaming Video Server
Blog Posts
Knowledgebase articles
News and events
Staff Profiles
Reading ListsKent
Academic Repository
Module details
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The Product
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The Product
What does Pantheon provide?
1. Apply central brand and unified look and feel
2. Provide departments with the flexibility to express themselves
3. Improve the manageability of the code to simplify support
4. Allow bespoke themes5. Create a standard user interface6. Create a permissions system7. Restore old versions of pages in case of
mistake8. Versioning of pages9. Allow content sharing and reuse
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Demonstration
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What’s missing
Tagging of static content Proper versioning of pages Quick page edit Static content reuse
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What’s next
Quick site setup through web forms Quick page setup through web forms Central content snippets Main site brand refresh: 3 months to
develop theme, style snippets, and rollout onto all top level pages.
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Website Rollout Projects
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The Community
Fortnightly Web workshops – sharing best practice
Departments pay for additional training Commission new functionality Kent on the Web
Knowledgebase Forums
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Support and Maintenance
Well established – 3 years old and just released version 2 Well supported and maintained by IS Web Team
• Dedicated web support helpdesk (9-5 Mon-Fri)• Telephone support (free to University departments)• Email support (free to University departments)• In person support (free to University departments)
Large user base identifies problems quickly Used by almost all University academic and service departments
as well as a number of affiliate organisations Constantly being improved
• New snippets• Code fixes• Security audits• New core features
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Discussions and Questions
Content creation vs website creation Static vs Dynamic Content The right tools for the right job Department Mash-Ups and Departmental
Web Authors Departmental Flexibility vs Central
Control
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References Details on the Pantheon system:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/services/university-template
A list of the 'snippets' - tools that are available to web publishers using Pantheon:http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/bacchus-snippets/snippets/index.html
Gallery examples of different website designs hosted by Kent:http://www.kent.ac.uk/web/services/portfolio
Pantheon owners guide:Handout in session