UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION TO CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Web content development and management,content types and formats, Norms and
guidelines of content development, creating digital graphics, audio production and
editing.

1.1 Web Content Management System(WCMS)

A web content management system (WCMS) allows you to create, edit, publish, and
delete text, image, video, and audio content for a website without the need to write any
code.They come with site-building features to facilitate content creation and display
content on the website for visitors.

1.1.1 Benefits of WCMS include:

1. Simplified development: You don't need to write any code and can instead run the
content management application from a graphical user interface. This allows anyone
without technical knowledge to create and manage an entire website.
2. Improved collaboration: You can grant access to users at different levels with clearly
defined roles like content editors and writers on the same back-end.
3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Technical SEO factors into the design of
WCMSs, with features like breadcrumb navigation, URL structures, page and meta titles,
and meta descriptions.
4. Security: WCMSs provide features like access control and firewalls that address
common internal and external security threats. You may also have a dedicated support
team.
5. Low cost: A WCMS is typically inexpensive, often being free or offering subscriptions
that outweigh overall costs.
6. Easy to use: Most WCMS options are user-friendly for people who do not have a
technical coding background to create or maintain content.
7. Easily customizable: A WCMS creates a universal layout that enables beginner users
to create and customize front ends easily.
8. Workflow management: Administrators can control and personalize workflow
management in a WCMS. Some WCMS options enable administrators to set up their own
workflow management rules and provide them with a series of steps to set up each task.
9. Search engine optimization (SEO): A WCMS provides businesses with the editing
tools required to improve search engine ranking. The WCMS should enable users to
easily create content with the correct keywords, provide meta information -- such as
description, keywords and alternative text for images -- and link content within the text.

1.1.2 Disadvantages of using a WCMS

On the other hand, a WCMS is not the best fit for all organizations. The disadvantages of
a WCMS include:

1. High cost for larger implementations. A WCMS for larger companies can be
expensive because it may require extensive training and certifications. WCMS
maintenance can also be expensive because the software may require upgrades and
licensing updates.

2. Latency issues. Larger systems can become slower with time if the business does not
keep the hardware up to date or if the cache files grow too large.

3. Security risks. If an administrator does not regularly patch the WCMS for security
threats, it remains vulnerable to hackers. To minimize security risks, administrators must
monitor and maintain the many moving parts of a WCMS -- such as the web server
software, MySQL and any plugins or add-ons.
1.2 Web Content Management System features:
A WCMS is a software system used to manage and control a large, dynamic collection of
Web material (HTML documents and their associated images). A CMS facilitates
document control, auditing, editing, and timeline management.
i. Automated templates: Create standard output templates (usually HTML and XML) that
can be automatically applied to new and existing content, allowing the appearance of all
of that content to be changed from one central place.
ii. Easily editable content: Once con tent is separated from the visual presentation of a
site, it usually becomes much easier and quicker to edit and manipulate. Most WCMS
software includes WYSIWYG editing tools allowing non-technical individuals to create
and edit content.
iii. Scalable feature sets: Most WCMS software includes plug-ins or modules that can be
easily installed to extend an existing site’s functionality.
iv. Web standards upgrades: Active WCMS software usually receives regular updates that
include new feature sets and keep the system up to current web standards.
v. Workflow management: Workflow is the process of creating cycles of sequential and
parallel tasks that must be accomplished in the CMS. For example, a content creator can
submit a story, but it is not published until the copy editor cleans it up and the editor-in-
chief approves it.
vi. Document management: CMS software may provide a means of managing the life
cycle of a document from initial creation time, through revisions, publication, archive,
and document destruction.
vii. Content virtualization: CMS software may provide a means of allowing each user to
work within a virtual copy of the entire Web site, document set, and/or code base. This
enables changes to multiple interdependent resources to be viewed and/or executed in-
context prior to submission .

1.2.1 Additional features that a WCMS might include are:

i. Automated,standard templates: Provides users with templates that they can easily
add new or existing content to, rather than designing their own templates
ii. Access control: Gives administrators the ability to control who has access to a page on
a site
iii. Scalable expansion: Enables organizations to expand an implementation across
multiple domains
iv. Editing tools: Enables users to create and customize content, such as adding titles and
headers to improve content structure, or designing webpages with drag-and-drop tools
v. Easily installs plugins: Gives users the ability to extend a site's functionality with
plugins or modules.
vi. Software updates: Keeps the WCMS up to current web standards by updating
software
vii. Workflow management: Ensures that authorized users review and approve content
before publishing
viii. Collaboration tool:. Enables multiple users to modify content
ix. Document management: Enables businesses to manage the document lifecycle,
including creation, revisions, publication, archive and removal
x. Multilingual: Enables the display of content in various languages
xi. Versioning: Enables editors to retrieve previous versions of content

1.3 Types of Web Content Management:

These terms describe the deployment pattern for the WCMS in terms of when
presentation templates are applied to render web pages from structured content. There
are three major types of WCMS: offline processing, online processing, and hybrid
systems.
i. Offline processing: These systems pre-process all content, applying templates before
publication to generate Web pages. Since pre- processing systems do not require a server
to apply the templates at request time, they may also exist purely as design-time tools;
Adobe Contribute is an example of this approach.
ii. Online processing: These systems apply templates on-demand. HTML may be
generated when a user visits the page, or pulled from a cache. Most Web application
frameworks perform template processing in this way, but they do not necessarily
incorporate content management features. Media Wiki generally follow an online model
with varying degrees of caching, but generally do not provide document workflow.
iii. Hybrid Systems: Some systems combine the offline and online approaches. Some
systems write out executable code e.g. JSP, ASP, PHP, PERL etc. pages rather than just
static HTML, so that the CMS itself does not need to be deployed on every web server.

1.4 web-enabled services content creation tools

There are several other tools that can assist in content development and provision of web-
enabled services. Some of these are free, others are in the commercial domain. Examples
of such tools are listed below. 
HTML editors (e.g. Netscape Composer; MS Frontpage) 
Imaging (e.g. PainShopPro; Adobe Paintshop; Paintrush) 
OCR (e.g. Textbridge; Omnipage) 
PDF e.g. Adobe Acrobat Exchange) 
Conversion tools (e.g. Word-to-HTML; Text-to-HTML; Word-to-XML; WINISIS
Records-to-XML)
Bibliographic records conversion to ISO 2709 format (e.g. Fangorn) 
Bibliographic records in ASCII format to ISO 2709 format (e.g. ASCII.PCD) 
Bibliographic records by DBASE or Foxpro to ISO 2709 format (e.g. DB3ISO.EXE) 
DHTML tools  Audio / video capture and conversion (e.g. Real Audio; MP3) 
Website search tools (e.g. htDig; SWISH) 
Web-enabling of bibliographic records (e.g. WWWISIS; GensIsis) 
Full text search engines (e.g. Excite; MG; WAIS) 
Creating and searching repositories (e.g. GSDL; D-Space) 
RDBMS access using ODBC (e.g. Foxpro; Oracle)

1.4.1 Web Content creation software’s–

Joomla 
Drupal 
Mambo 
osCommerce 
Volusion 
Jadu 
Magento 
DotNetNuke 
WordPress 
eZ Publish 
PHP-Nuke
Typo3
How to use web content management systems in your career

A website is an essential tool for nearly every business. With skilled use of WCMS, you
can build a complex and professional website without programming experience. Features
like sitemaps and additional plugins for SEO help you make your content more
discoverable so that you can reach the audiences that you need, and convert viewers into
customers.Footnote11

1.5 Content Types and Formats

1.6.1 Content Types:

1. Text Content: This includes articles, blog posts, essays, documentation, and other
textual information. Text content is versatile and can convey complex ideas, instructions,
or narratives effectively.
2. Audio Content: Audio content encompasses podcasts, interviews, music, soundscapes,
and spoken-word recordings. It engages listeners through sound and is suitable for
storytelling, education, and entertainment.
3. Video Content: Video content ranges from short clips and tutorials to documentaries
and films. It combines visuals, audio, and motion to convey information and evoke
emotions, making it highly engaging and shareable.
4. Image/Graphics Content: This category includes photographs, illustrations,
infographics, diagrams, and other visual assets. Images enhance visual appeal, clarify
concepts, and communicate information quickly.
5. Interactive Content: Interactive content allows users to actively engage with the
material, such as quizzes, polls, games, and simulations. It promotes interactivity,
participation, and learning through hands-on experiences.
6. Structured Data Content: Structured data formats, such as spreadsheets, databases,
XML, and JSON, organize information into predefined formats for easy processing,
analysis, and exchange.

1.5.2 Content Formats:

1. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): HTML is the standard markup language for
creating web pages and structuring content on the internet. It defines the structure and
layout of web documents, including text, images, links, and multimedia elements.
2. Markdown: Markdown is a lightweight markup language that simplifies the
formatting of plain text content, such as articles, documentation, and README files. It
uses simple syntax (e.g., asterisks for emphasis, hashtags for headings) to generate
HTML output.
3. PDF (Portable Document Format): PDF is a file format used for presenting
documents in a manner independent of software, hardware, and operating systems. It
preserves the layout, fonts, and formatting of the original document, making it suitable
for printing and sharing.
4. Audio Formats: Common audio formats include MP3, WAV, AAC, and FLAC, each
with different compression algorithms and quality levels. Choose the appropriate audio
format based on the intended use, compatibility, and file size considerations.
5. Video Formats: Popular video formats include MP4, AVI, MOV, and WMV, offering
varying levels of compression, quality, and compatibility. Select the optimal video format
based on factors like resolution, codec support, and streaming requirements.
6. Image/Graphics Formats: Image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG cater to
different needs, from photographic realism to vector-based graphics. Consider factors like
color depth, transparency, compression, and scalability when choosing an image format.
7. Structured Data Formats: Structured data formats like CSV (Comma-Separated
Values), JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), and XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
organize data into a structured format for storage, exchange, and analysis.
Understanding the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of each content type and
format enables content managers to choose the most appropriate options for conveying
information effectively and engaging their audience across various channels and
platforms.

1.6 Norms and guidelines of content development

1. Screen Layout Screen layout should be consistent. The more consistent a website is
in its design, the easier it will be for users to navigate. Users, especially persistent
users, tend to learn and remember the location of key, functions and controls.

2. Logos Screen layout should include logos, navigation buttons and footer
information. Putting the logo in a consistent place on every page (usually top left)
ensures that visitors are fully aware that they are on the same site.

3. Update Information 'Page Last Updated' information needs to be included. Visitors

will quickly know if you have added any new content to your site, and iti may
prompt you to do so. The date format should be understandable, i.e., 1st February
2003 is better that 02-01-03. In the UK 02-01-03 means 2nd January 2003 and in
USA it means 1SI February 2003.

4. Links A link to the home page should be added to every page except the homepage
itself. Pages should not link to themselves as this can confuse some users. Making
your logo the home page link is considered to be a good practice.

5. Image Sizes Considerable number of Internet users still use modems with connection
speeds of 33K or less. Pages should therefore be kept to a maximum of 35K ensuring
download times of less than ten seconds for these users. Visitors may not wait if your
pages take too long to download. All images, including spacer images, should
include alternative text. The alternative text should describe the function of the
image, if applicable.
6. Use of Frames Frames should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Frame-based
sites can be confusing for the visually disabled, particularly those using -screen
readers or speech browsers - users can easily become disorientated, Additionally,
users cannot easily bookmark individual pages within a frame-based site.

7. Page Title Each page should have a descriptive and different title, clear and helpful
headings, and a logical structure. Titles are used by search engines to identify web
'pages, If two or more. pages have the same title they cannot easily be differentiated
by users. 334

8. Font Attributes The FONT tag should generally be avoided III creating accessible
websites. While attribute specifications like SIZE="+ 1" or SIZE=" -1" are relatively
harmless, absolute sizes like SIZE="l" can result in text that is too small to read.
Instead: Cascading Style Sheets should be used to fonnat web pages. Style sheets
allow authors to suggest relative changes in font size with much greater flexibility
than is allowed under FONT.

9. Color Attributes TheCOLOR attribute of the FONT tag should always be avoided
since many browsers still display the font colour when the user tries to override
authorspecified colours. The result could be an unreadable document if the font
colour does not contrast well against the reader's chosen background.

10. Text Size and Font Text should be the equivalent of size 12 points to enhance reading
performance. Research has shown that there is no noticeable difference in reading
speed or user preference between Times New Roman, Georgia or other serif fonts
and Helvetica,Arial or other sans-serif fonts. The FACE attribute of the FONT tag
cannot be overridden by the user in many browsers. This may result in the author
choosing a font that is very difficult to read given the user's platform and
environment settings. The same font may display strangely on different platforms.
11. Link Identification Links should be Clearly identified and it should make sense when
reading out of context. Links should never be designated with the text 'click here'.
Some screen readers can be set to read out a list of links on a particular page; a list of
'click here' links is not helpful. . Blue underlined text is the preferred choice for all
links. Some users miss links because the text is not underlined. Research shows that
users can easily find links which include visual cues, that is, links that are underlined,
rather than having to move the mouse to see when the pointer changes to a hand (this
is known as mine sweeping). Visited links should be designated using a different
colour. Many users use link colours to identify which parts of a site they have already
visited.

12. Page Display .Pages should be fluidlflexible because users browse the Internet using
a variety of screen resolutions. Pages should be designed to expand or contract
according to the user's settings, thus preventing horizontal scrolling. Horizontal
scrolling is. a particular problem for screen reader users because the screen reader
does not automatically scroll horizontally - users may miss important content.

13. Device Independence Pages should be device independent. Not all users navigate
websites using a mouse - many disabled users use Assistive Technology. All users
should be able to navigate the site using the input device of their choice. Keyboard
shortcuts, using the 'accesskey' attribute, should be provided for key links.

14. Readability Paragraphs and sentences should be kept short. Readability improves
when sentences 'and paragraphs are kept relatively short. Users tend to scan web
pages and will often skip over large chunks of text.

1.7 Guidelines on creating digital graphics

1. Content Strategy and Planning:

a. Start by defining your content strategy, including goals, target audience, and
 messaging.
b. Plan the role of graphics within your content to support your message and engage
your audience effectively.

2. Understand User Needs:

a. Conduct research to understand the needs, preferences, and behaviors of your target
audience.
b. Identify the types of visuals that resonate with your audience and align with your
content goals.

3. Visual Storytelling:

a. Use digital graphics as a tool for storytelling, conveying complex ideas or emotions
visually.
b. Create graphics that complement your written content, enhancing understanding and
engagement.

4. Consistent Branding:

a. Ensure that your graphics align with your brand identity, including colors, fonts, and
imagery.
b. Maintain consistency across all visual elements to strengthen brand recognition and
credibility.

5. Graphic Design Principles:

a. Apply fundamental design principles such as balance, contrast, alignment, and

hierarchy to create visually appealing graphics.
b. Strive for simplicity and clarity to communicate your message effectively.
6. Tools and Software:

a. Choose appropriate graphic design tools and software based on your skill level and
project requirements.
b. Consider using tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Canva, or
Sketch for designing digital graphics.

7. Accessibility and Responsiveness:

a. Ensure that your graphics are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities,
by following accessibility guidelines.
b. Design graphics that are responsive and adapt well to different screen sizes and
devices.

8. Iterative Process:

a. Embrace an iterative approach to graphic design, seeking feedback from stakeholders

and users to refine your visuals.
b. Continuously analyze the performance of your graphics and make improvements
based on data and insights.

9. Collaboration and Communication:

a. Foster collaboration between content creators, designers, and other stakeholders to

ensure that graphics align with content goals.
b. Clearly communicate your vision and requirements to designers to achieve the
desired outcomes.

10. Documentation and Governance:

a. Document your graphic design decisions, including rationale, guidelines, and best
 practices, to maintain consistency and facilitate future updates.
b. Establish governance processes to oversee the creation, management, and
distribution of digital graphics within your content ecosystem.

1.8 Audio production and Editing.

Audio Production: Audio production refers to the process of creating sound recordings,
often for various purposes such as music, podcasts, radio broadcasts, film, television, and
more. It involves several stages including recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
Audio producers work with a variety of equipment and software to capture, manipulate,
and enhance sound to achieve the desired outcome.

1. Pre-production:

 Conceptualization: Define the goals and objectives of the audio content. Determine
the target audience and the message you want to convey.
 Scriptwriting: Write scripts or outlines for the content, particularly for scripted
formats like podcasts or voiceovers.

2. Recording:

 Environment Setup: Choose an appropriate recording environment. This may be a

studio, a location shoot, or even a remote setup.
 Equipment Setup: Set up microphones, audio interfaces, and other recording
equipment. Test levels and make adjustments to ensure optimal sound quality.
 Performances: Record voices, music, sound effects, or any other audio elements
according to the script or plan.

3. Editing:

 Importing: Transfer recorded audio files to a computer and import them into audio
 editing software.
 Cleanup: Remove any unwanted noise or imperfections, such as background noise,
clicks, or pops, using tools like noise reduction and de-clicking.
 Arranging: Organize and arrange audio clips in the desired sequence. Trim
unnecessary pauses or mistakes.
 Mixing: Balance the levels of different audio elements (e.g., voices, music, sound
effects) to create a cohesive mix. Apply effects like equalization, compression, and
reverb as needed.

4. Post-production:

 Mastering: Fine-tune the overall sound of the audio content to ensure consistency and
quality across different playback systems. This may involve further adjustments to
levels, dynamics processing, and final EQ adjustments.

5. Distribution:

 File Formats: Export the finished audio content in appropriate formats for
distribution, such as MP3, WAV, AAC, or FLAC.
 Distribution Channels: Distribute the audio content through various channels such as
streaming platforms, podcast directories, radio stations, or your own website.

1.8.1 Audio Editing

What is audio editing?

Audio editing is the process of altering recorded sound to create a desired effect. You may
want to edit audio for many different reasons, such as to improve the quality of the
recording, to remove unwanted noise or sounds, or to change the length or pitch of a
particular audio clip.
1.8.2 What are the different types of audio editing?

There are three main types of audio editing: cutting, fading, and mixing.
1. Cutting is the most basic type of audio editing. To cut an audio file, select the
portion of the file you want to remove, and then delete it. This is often used to
remove unwanted sections from a recording, such as pauses or mistakes.
2. Fading is used to smooth out abrupt changes in volume. For example, if you have a
recording of someone speaking and there is a sudden loud noise, you can use fading
to reduce the recording volume until the noise is gone.
3. Mixing is used to combine multiple audio files into one. This can be used to create
background music for a video or podcast. For example, you could mix several tracks
to create an instrumental version of a song.

How does audio editing work?

Audio editing can be completed using a few types of apps, but the most common type is
known as a digital audio workstation (DAW). Most DAWs have various tools to help you
edit audio. For example, you can use equalization (EQ) to adjust high or low sound
frequencies or to add pleasing audio effects such as reverb or echo.

1.8.3 What are the benefits of using audio editing software?

The audio editing software available today provides a simple and cost-effective method to
perform common tasks, such as:

 Improve the quality of your audio content. Audio editing can help you remove
background noise, boost clarity and volume, and clean up any mistakes in your
recording.
 Make your audio content more engaging. This can help you attract and retain
listeners, which is especially important if you're using audio as a marketing tool.
 Repurpose existing audio content. If you have a podcast, you can edit together
different segments from different episodes to create a new episode rather than
starting from scratch each time.

Answer the following questions in short

1. Expand WCMS.
2. Mention the disadvantages of WCMS.
3. Mention the types WCMS.
4. What are the Software’s tools to create a web content
5. List the content types.
6. List the content formats.
7. What is Audio Editing?Mention the different types of audio editing.

Answer the following questions in long

1. Explain the benefite of WCMS.
2. Explain in detail about the disadvantages of WCMS.
3. Explain the types of WCMS.
4. Write a short notes on features of web content management system.
5. Explain the services which are provided for the content creation tools.
6. Explain the content types in detail.
7. Explain the formats in detail.
8. Write a short notes on norms and guidelines of web content development
9. Explain the guidelines on creating digital graphics.
10. Explain in breif about the audio production and Editing.
11. Explain the benefits of using audio editing software.