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Web Publishing - Simple CMS

Traditional Web | Read-Write Web

See also: School Intranets

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Using WordPress as a CMS

This page provides links to information about using WordPress as a CMS for publishing web sites.

Background

Content Management Systems (CMS) typically provide a Web 2.0 publishing environment that permits non-technical folk to update and publish content on a web site, without the need to use specialised web editing software.

However, in my experience, CMS software itself is reasonably complicated to set up. Joomla, Mambo, Drupal, ModX, TextPattern, and the zillions of other CMSs that are available for free, all provide an easy publishing environment for the end-user, but they are not that easy to configure for the casual user who has been thrust into the role of system administrator - a place where many teachers find themselves.

The links below provide information about how to configure WordPress to create a more traditional (non-blogging) web site, and to use it as a psuedo CMS.

Here are some examples of school Intranet / Internet sites created using WordPress as a CMS:


PS Example		HS Example

Links and Resources


WordPress as a CMS		Installing WordPress
WordPress CMS Showcase Lots of examples of developers using WordPress as a CMS. EduCloud WordPress Info Lots of useful WP publishing info for those just getting started. Wordpress as CMS Lots of examples and ideas. WordPress.org WordPress CMS discussions. Robert Basic Tutorial Some techy php manipulation.		WordPress Installer Download and install on your school web server. Free. Install WordPress - Guides Although WordPress is available as an online site editor, you can also setup and maintain a local installation: Install Wordpress Locally Clear and concise guide for installing WordPress on a Mac. Install WordPress "Official" installation guide on the WordPress site. Enable Multi-site in WP 3.0 If you have installed a local version of WordPress adding a few lines of text to your config file enables a single installation for multiple sites.
WordPress Plugins		WordPress Themes
BuddyPress Build an internal social network for your school using this WordPress plugin. FeedList Embed an RSS feed in a WordPress page. Mobile setup WordPress Mobile Edition Theme and plugin to provide a mobile interface to a WordPress site. Carrington Mobile Provides a mobile-style interface. Use in conjunction with WP Mobile Edition above so that you can view your mobile page in a desktop browser. Meta SEO Pack Add page descriptions and keywords to each page in your Wordpress site, to help Search Engines index your site. New Blog Defaults Adds a new submenu to the site admin screen called "New Blog Defaults." Allows the site administrator to set the defaults for each of the major blog sections. Page Lists Plus Include a re-direct from a page link in a WP site menu bar to another site, along with many other tricks and tweaks. Site-Wide Options For Multi-sites ..... choose which blog or plugin settings you want to replicate site-wide to all your sub-sites. Any change (update) to those settings (options) on the mother site admin pages can be automatically copied to all the sub-sites (blogs). TinyMCE Advanced Extend your editing toolbar to include tables and associated formatting, etc.		WordPress Free Themes Around 900 themes from which to choose. FreeThemes.net Approx 200 from which to choose.
		Other WordPress Stuff
		Adding a table - Wordpress.com If you are using the "free" Wordpress hosting, and can't add plug-ins, you can use html to add a table to your blog site. WordPress from iPhone Add posts to your WordPress blog from your iPhone.