Custom Content Management

When I first started working with content management systems I was delighted at how they empowered clients to be able to take a stronger sense of ownership of their website. At the same time though I was frustrated that simple content management required a simple layout. Limited to titles, sub headings, paragraphs, links and images was not enough when the clients site deserved a much more flamboyant layout.

Most CMS platforms allow code to be inserted such as style tags but administrators that don't make web sites don't want to be fussed by web code. To resolve this frustration Castus begun an internal task to modify our preferred CMS allowing content items be tailored as required.

The following screenshot shows an event page on the Wax:On website:

The person that administers this page has never made a website but she is able to add new event listings with ease. This would be a nightmare with a standard content management system.

Our system is tailored by presenting the administrator with an input box for each piece of information:

As no code is required from the administrator, there is little risk of the design being broken.

One of the first websites that we deployed this modification to was the new website for the Freedom Group. Both their Media Centre and Case Studies work in such a way with the addition of automated styled pdf creation:

At the time of writing we have no plans to release this as an extension for Joomla as we have not worked on a robust uninstall option. However commercial enquiries are welcome if you would like this deploying on your website.

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