Need solution for automating online newsmagazine... suggestions?
I'm looking for advice on what solutions and/or products are available for automating the process of maintaining an online newsmagazine.
Ideally, here's what we'd need to accomplish:
- Our writers could upload their columns via a web-based form. Content would then wait in a queue until an editor could copy-edit the item, then simply click on "publish" to make the article go live.
- Fixed front page and categories layout so that whenever new items are added, old news items from the front page are automatically shifted off the front page (or down the page, as the case may be) and into an archive based on whatever criteria (subject, author, etc.)
- Potential for subscription-only based content
Right now we have a massive online news magazine that is a beast to maintain, as our archives have gotten so enormous AND the original site was created in Microsoft FrontPage eight years ago!!
I'm using Dreamweaver for our other website projects now, and when we revamp this site, we plan to store the entire old site in an archive folder that will still be accessible to website visitors, but the new site should all be entirely automated with web-based management for writers and editors.
I'm not sure if I should be looking into a particular programming language (which frankly scares me, as I'm a website designer and certainly no programmer!) or if there are any applications currently available that we can install on the server (sort of like you would an online forum or community, but that is geared towards news and features) and then customize to our "brand" and that would be that.
Any ideas would be greatly, greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sara
Ideally, here's what we'd need to accomplish:
- Our writers could upload their columns via a web-based form. Content would then wait in a queue until an editor could copy-edit the item, then simply click on "publish" to make the article go live.
- Fixed front page and categories layout so that whenever new items are added, old news items from the front page are automatically shifted off the front page (or down the page, as the case may be) and into an archive based on whatever criteria (subject, author, etc.)
- Potential for subscription-only based content
Right now we have a massive online news magazine that is a beast to maintain, as our archives have gotten so enormous AND the original site was created in Microsoft FrontPage eight years ago!!
I'm using Dreamweaver for our other website projects now, and when we revamp this site, we plan to store the entire old site in an archive folder that will still be accessible to website visitors, but the new site should all be entirely automated with web-based management for writers and editors.
I'm not sure if I should be looking into a particular programming language (which frankly scares me, as I'm a website designer and certainly no programmer!) or if there are any applications currently available that we can install on the server (sort of like you would an online forum or community, but that is geared towards news and features) and then customize to our "brand" and that would be that.
Any ideas would be greatly, greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sara
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I dont think a blogging system is good for online newspaper, specially because of the layout and type of content.
There are several content management system specifically for newspapers like ones from bondware http://www.bondware.com/newspaper or dynaportal http://www.dynaportal.com/software/newspublishing.cfm. There are many more but these are what i am aware of. Check if these suit your need.
If none of the off the shelf products satisfy your needs, go for a custom built solution. This is gonna cost you a lot of time and money. I dont recommend this unless there is a substantial difference in what you need and what you get from off the shelf products.
There are several content management system specifically for newspapers like ones from bondware http://www.bondware.com/newspaper or dynaportal http://www.dynaportal.com/software/newspublishing.cfm. There are many more but these are what i am aware of. Check if these suit your need.
If none of the off the shelf products satisfy your needs, go for a custom built solution. This is gonna cost you a lot of time and money. I dont recommend this unless there is a substantial difference in what you need and what you get from off the shelf products.
ASKER
Anand: I apologize for the delay in getting back to you about the custom programming. We are still interested, but football season is starting and now my father is hesitant to make a move on the website, as it would greatly disrupt our regular operations to roll out a new site right now. It won't stop us from coming up with a very detailed strategy for what and how we want to accomplish what we're interested in accomplishing. I assure you I will be back in touch with you just as soon as I am able with new information. Thank you!
ASKER
My only complaints are:
The standard "blogger" bar across the top of the blog, even when you are hosting the blog on your own site.
I'm guessing there are some limitations to the amount and types of advertising space available with something like that.
I don't think there's a way to limit access to an entire blog, or certain posts of a blog, to paid subscribers.
Do you think with your programming knowledge you might be able to custom program a site that we could then customize based on the pros and cons I mentioned with a site such as Blogger?
We'd also need the capability of having certain fixed pages that aren't typical blog entries for things like schedules or game results. (This is an independently done college sports based website.)
E-mail me at sara @ carolinadata.com if you think this is something you might be able to put together for us. I might be interested in getting a quote from you.
Thanks!
Sara