CMSimple vs. Website Baker: From a newbies point of view

Let me start by saying this blog’s intention is to compare the two CMS tools mentioned above from a perspective of someone who has very little experience with Content Management Systems. I know that as more and more people learn of the control CMS programs provide, the more they are going to ask for them. That being said, I started with two of the more simpler CMS systems to get my feet wet. I found like most things, the more I used the programs the easier they got. Don't get me wrong,  it was initially painful for both programs. I was using XAMPP as my test server on both Mac and Windows, just to step the pain factor up a notch which I'll later discuss.

CMSimple

CMSimple was my first experience with Content Management Systems (CMS's) and I must say it took a little getting used two. Once I understood the file structure, it was not real difficult to use. The installation was pretty straight forward. However, I did run into a problem trying to run the program on my thumb drive using XAMPP Lite and the host computers copy of  XAMPP.  I found it best to use the host computer's XAMPP for a test server. Another thought, I must say I was not very fond of the built-in file editor (seen below) and did most my editing outside the program using Dreamweaver. I know this may not have been the best way to utilize the programs content management tools but I was limited on time. On a positive note, the system has a  pretty good automated back-up that will automatically save dated copies of the content in the content folder. I attempted to find how the backup worked but could not find any detailed documentation on CMSimple's website.  Speaking of CMSimple's website , I did not find it very pleasing to the eye. It had quit a bit of information but it seemed to be a difficult read (very narrow). Overall the program was not real difficult to learn (for even newbie me) and it has some pretty neat add-ons, my favorite being the YouTube add-on.  Its simple as its name implies and I would recommend it for basic websites that may need to be occasionally updated by one or two people.

Website Baker

Website Baker was the second program I took for a test run and had problems from the start.  Initially I started out on a MAC and had issues with permissions of the config.php and other essential files. After a period I switched over to Windows 7 and the permissions issue went away. WB being a database driven website required a database to be created using your server prior to the installation. Once the installation is complete your required to remove the install file. Something to note is I had problem loading the program on my webserver host Fatcow and after some investigation found the issue can be fixed by Fatcow tech support. In order to run WB on using Fatcow web host, Fatcow tech support will have to make some  changes with the way it handles php sessions for your account. Once the installation is complete, your ready to start making pages and adding content which I found to be pretty easy.  WB comes with a better editor than CMSimple  and you can also add others if you desire. I really struggled with CSS side of WB and found it more complex then CMSimple. As far backing up WB its just matter of exporting and importing a copy of the data base. Its not automated as far as I can tell but its not real difficult.  I found WB's website easier to follow in regards to to how-to do things and ease of reading. Also if your porting a design into Baker, they have pretty good example to follow.

Now for the big question, which CMS software would I recommend?  Based on the simplicity and the fewer problems I had, I would have to go with CMSimple. Keep in mind that is coming from a rookie CMS user and given more time to get know both software, that could change.  I do intend to get better acquainted with both because I feel I only scratched the surface of both programs capabilities and available add-on's.

CMSIntro

Essential Content Management System features

Content Management Systems (CMS) have many features that make them appealing to web designers and particularly to small business. The features I fill are the most advantageous are:

• Easier to update web pages – e-commerce sites that are continuously updating their product line would find this feature a “must have”.
• Does not require a web designer for updates – This is a “win win” situation for the both the web designer and business incorporating a web site. The designer can devote more time doing others things then continuously being called to update web sites. Its good business for both sides.
• Access Levels – controlling the level of access or even better, the level of editing prevents the client or different levels of expertise from totally screwing up a web site providing somewhat of a damage control tool.
• Updates can be made from anywhere on the web - When time is of the essences or when you just want correct a misspelled word, updates can be made from anywhere you have access to the web.

Nice to have CMS features

Some other features of CMS that is nice but not really as essential to the ones listed above are:

• CMS software updates – other non-CMS web sites are usually a done deal once incorporated with no other changes to usability or functionality unless a coder is hired to do so. CMS software constantly being improved, debugged and new plug-ins developed. That being said, CMS can potentially save time and money down the road with software improvements and additional capabilities.
• Company/Website Versatility – as mentioned above the plug-in possibilities provide companies the option to expand their web site to their needs as the company grows or develops other needs.
• Changes to the web sites appearance – CMS can use templates to make appearance changes again not requiring a designer/coder.
• Community Support - CMS software usually has a community of  users that can be utilized for questions, themes’,  and additional documentation.

Evaluation of CMS options

Designers will need to educate themselves on the various CMS options and their features available.  Read what others users are saying about the software out there and decide which will meet their customers’ needs. Finally, just get into the software and attempt to make it do what you want.

CMS and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

CMS and SEO seem to be a bit of gray area based on the many readings I found on the web. Some sites I visited recommended particular CMS software based on its superior SEO capabilities. A web site called CMS Critic declares the top 5 CMS software in regards to being good with SEO. The blog, blog.bridgelinesw.com discusses features of CMS software and ways to improve SEO. Three key methods mentioned are:

1. Ensure page titles and meta data can be edited
2. Link to other pages on your website using accurate words. Say what it is vice “Click here”.
3. Provide new and fresh content on website. This is where the ease and timely updates of CMS will help improve SEO.

Why learn more about CMS

In this day and age websites quickly become obsolete unless they are constantly updated. Static web sites are difficult and expensive to maintain. This being said, CMS software will be a very appealing option becoming more and more utilized. As a designer looking to keep up with the times, not to mention pay the bills, it will be very important to learn CMS software and provide that alternative to the future clients. As mentioned earlier, the only way to do this is read about the different software, pick a couple to learn and as they say, “just do it”.

References:
http://www.cyprich.com/2008/03/25/7-reasons-to-use-a-cms/
http://interscapeinc.com/291.html
http://www.fivecube.com/company/inside_fivecube/approach/cms/
http://blog.bridgelinesw.com/2009/12/seo-strategy-cms-tips/
http://blog.bridgelinesw.com/2009/08/maximize-your-websites-seo-with-your-cms/#more-807
http://www.cmscritic.com/top-5-seo-friendly-content-management-systems/

Tech Report

Digital Video Camera Storage Formats

In this technical report I am going to take a look at the Prosumer to low-end Professional level video camera ($1000 to $4000 range) storage Medias.Storage Medias being the video cameras built-in storage utilized to store High Definition Video. I’ll briefly go over each type of media, discussing their origin, pros, cons, and things to consider prior to choosing a media type.

I know you may be saying that as designer, I really do not need to know about video camcorder media formats and that I’ll let my videographer worry about it. That may be true, but people in the digital media field are wearing more hats, you may find it more cost effective to meet your simple video needs by doing it yourself. If nothing else, this report will provide a basic understanding of media formats available enabling you carry on a more intelligent conversation with your videographer.

Using B&H Photo as litmus test for the market, I came to the conclusion that the following formats   were the primary formats to consider (keep in mind the specific market we are exploring):

• Tape
• Memory Cards
• Built-In Hard Drives
• Built-In Solid State Devices

Tape

Tape – MiniDV/MiniHDV

The DV referrers to a digital video format first established in 1995 by leading producers of video cameras. Initially it was designed for use on magnetic tape but later was used with cameras that use optical disc, flash memory, and hard drives.  The “Mini” portion of MiniDV referrers to the packaging of the tape. It was originally intended for the novice but the quality turned out to good enough to be considered professional grade.  According to the CNET reviews the media is “waning in popularity” but it’s “not dead yet”.  Price for the media varies around $10 to $18 for 60 and 80 minutes making it a comparatively cheap and probably, a good reason the media is still around.

Memory Cards

Secure Digital/ Secure Digital High Capacity (SD/SDHC)

This solid state card was first introduced as the SD card around 2000 to compete with Sony’s memory stick.  It wasn’t until 2005 that it gained popularity for use with digital cameras. The SDHC has overcome some limitations such as capacity and write speed to become a very popular, light weight, reliable media for use with digital camcorders. Price of the media varies around $50 to $150 for 16 to 32 GB cards that are class 6 or higher (class 6 being write speeds of 6 MB/s). There seems to be ambiguity for class speeds by the manufactures that claim much higher write speeds by still label the media as class 6. The next version of this card will be SDX that may have capacities of up to 2 TB. After searching the internet I did not find any SD style SDX cards.

Memory Stick Duo Pro

The Memory Stick Duo Pro is many times improved version of Sony’s original Memory Stick introduced in 1998. In 2008 like many of the other media mentioned, its capacity and write speed made it an option for digital camcorders. The card is proprietary for use with Sony cameras and prices range from $14 to $190 storage capacities of 4 to 32 GB.

P2 Card

The P2 memory is Panasonics answer to memory card storage market. It was first introduced in 2004 and presently comes in storage sizes of 16 to 64 GB ranging in price from $400 to $900. This is another proprietary card for use with Panasonic cameras.

Built-In Hard Drives

After a search for camcorders on B&H Photo, only the consumer level cameras had internal hard drives. Prices for cameras that were HD ranged from $500 to $1000 with hard drive capacities of 80 to 120 GB’s.  These large storage capacities make for long record times. However, based on my internet search, internal hard drives do not appear to be the choice for the Prosumer/Professional market.
I did some research as to why that is the case and found inputs posted on CNET’s article” Camcorders: flash drive vs. hard drive” and based on those inputs, came to the conclusion that solid state devices (memory cards) are more robust, less prone to problems , and use less power.

Built-In Solid State Devices

After a search on B&H Photo, I only found cameras that used memory cards and no onboard storage. However, this is probably because onboard solid state storage is a new technology for Professional grade camcorders.  This being said, Sony( http://www.slashgear.com/) announced this month its first professional grade camcorder, the HXR-NX5Uthat will be priced just under $5000.  As the technology improves solid state devices will probably cause the HDD cameras to fade out.

Conclusions

Based on the research discussed above, consider the following things in regards to media types for camcorders:

1. What are my specific needs:
• Do I need to maintain archive copies?
• What kind budget do I have?
• Which format will best serve my work flow?
• Which format is the most reliable?
• Which format will is the most accessible (i.e. can I run to the store and purchase another card)?
2. How risky is the choice in regards to future technology
• Will the format I choose pose a problem when it becomes obsolete?
• Will the state of the art technology I choose become the industry standard or flop?
• Is the media proprietary or open market?

These considerations taken, I’ve narrowed my choices down to two options for the market in question (Prosumer/low-end Professional).If budget is a concern and maintaining archives, I recommend the MiniHDV. It is the cheapest and best quality media for the cost. If budget is not as big of concern, I recommend the SDHC memory due to being either most common among all the cameras, including ones with other proprietary cards. 

References:

• http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-7607_7-266-2.html?tag=page;page
• http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/desktopeditinghardware/bb/dvdcam.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Betacam
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV
• http://ezinearticles.com/?Difference-Between-1080i-And-1080p&id=661157 (1080i vs. 1080P)
• http://www.thecamcorderreview.com/flash-camcorders-vs-hard-drive-camcorders/ (Flash vs HDD)
• http://www.slashgear.com/

Images:

• http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Memory+Stick+PRO+Duo&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV
• http://www.slashgear.com/
• http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=1097&N=4294540396+4294955783+4294194739+4294952451

Change Agent

Interactive Media and Change Agent

In this blog I'm going to discuss an article about Interactive Media and Change Agent written by Elaine England and Andy Finney of ATSF in January 2002. I found the article particularly interesting being written in an 8 year old perspective. In the article they mention how terms such as multimedia, new media and interactive media came into existence and transformed with the wed, a web that utilized phone lines and a new technology of the time, DSL. In additional they define change agents, basically being everyone, but more specifically as "people with the vision and skills to implement a change in organizational culture or business practice". Many of these change agents coming about through business and educational needs as the technology has improved.

In the following paragraphs I look at the difference between digital media and interactive multimedia, my role as a change agent and the impact of future technologies on my career.

Difference between Digital Media and Interactive Multimedia

The difference between digital media and interactive multimedia is interactive media is exactly what its name implies, integration of media that requires interaction from the user. Digital media is the form that media takes such as electronic text, graphics, video and audio (i.e. your mp3's, .mov's, pdf's and many more formats that digital media take).

My role as a change agent, if any

What my role as a change agent, change agent being someone that thinks out of the box and figures out how to use technology to either improve or innovate, I'm not really sure. I hope to use what I learn in school and apply to come up with something fresh to add the mix, meaning my work/creations in the trade.

When I started school I was on a quest to find my next career (first being the Navy, now retired) that was more of a passion than a job. I was thinking photography but presently I'm leaning more towards videography. I like how technology in regards to video particularly, combined with the web is enabling people with no connections to Hollywood, to make very professional, entertaining videos, features, stories whatever they may be called. Ten years ago I would have never imagined a web site such "You Tube" would exist, much less be as successful as it is.

I see more and more people in the future turning away from Hollywood's fantasy world in favor for more real world entertainment/story lines from smaller companies all over the world.

Future technologies impact on career

Anticipating my success in the videography field, I going to say that technology (cameras, computers, software) will only improve (i.e. lighter, faster, stronger, cheaper) and enable the smaller videographers, such as myself, with the limited budgets to make Hollywood grade productions.

This being said, I know it takes more than equipment and software to make good videos but I hope with a combination of my deep desire to do whatever it takes to be good at this craft and the cost of very capable equipment coming down, I hope to make my mark as a videographer.

Newbie Blogger Evaluation

Blogging Tools Evaluated

The three blogging tools I evaluated were:

• Blogger joeemory.blogspot.com


• Wordpress joeemory.wordpress.com


• Dairyland joeemory.dairyland.com

They were all fairly close in features available except that Dairyland charged a little to upload pictures. I chose Blogger over the other two sites because I found the user interface to be easier to follow. I have very limited Blogging experience and no experience in regards to hosting a Blog. For that reason the three sites I chose also provided the necessary hosting and more importantly were free.

Dairyland

I'll discuss Dairlyland first because I found it to be the least appealing of the three due to the user interface being the hardest to follow. However I think it had the most control over the look of the Blog using html. This may be important down the road if I wanted to tailor the the Blog site to look the same as website. The picture provided was their default settings.

WordPress

WordPress had the best html editing tools of the three Blogging tools evaluated. I'm not sure if I would be using the tools included or do all my html with another program and import it into the Blog.

Blogger

Blogger seemed to have the best interface of the three. I'm rather partial to the tabbed navigation and that may something to do with my choice. Overall Blogger seemed to be pretty easy to use with its templates and its navigation. In addition it appeared to be very versatile in regards customizing the layout. As it stands now I would choose Blogger as my choice for Blogging tools but I'm not sure, well I'm sure that I don't know the in an outs of Blogging.