Future Wave Designs

Traditionally, most websites consisted of static HTML pages, which required some bit of technical knowledge to perform even the simplest of tasks such as publishing site content. With time, there was need to have a simpler system; whereby, users who are just interested in creating, managing and submitting web content, among other simple tasks would be given a chance to do so, without requiring them to become hardcore programmers. This is how web content management systems (CMS) came about. A content management system is an application, created to simplify the processes of designing, modification, and publishing of web content. A good example of CMS is Drupal.

Drupal is among the leading web content management systems that is in use today, by various individuals, business, and other organizations to build their websites. It is arguably the most popular web application framework that is used to power thousands of personal and corporate websites, intranets, social networks and e-commerce sites. Its popularity is due to its many characteristics such as its power, scalability, robustness, and most of all affordability. Drupal and other Content Management Systems share some common characteristics such as: * Allow information to be stored in a database

* Have a template system and themes, which allow users to control the look and feel of their websites

* Have modules, both freeware and commercial that allow for customization of the websites with various web applications such as e-commerce, social networking and blogging.

* Have a WYSIWYG editor, which allows users without technical backgrounds to update and maintain their websites.

* Designed to support Search Engine Optimization.

Drupal has many benefits that make it stand out from other CMS. Some of these benefits include:

Opensource: The fact that Drupal is open source makes it widely accessible to many people, who are unable or unwilling to spend huge sums of money to implement CMS. The code is available free for anyone to download, modify and use, without the need for costly license fees. This also eliminates vendor lock in.

Support: There are thousands of developers within the Drupal community, whose aim is to provide continuous technical support to users. These developers are also responsible for the enhancement of Drupal’s functionalities and security.

User-friendly interface: Drupal has been designed to offer users a very friendly interface, especially to user without any technical knowledge, which they can use for creating, updating, and managing web content. Other functions that can be performed through this interface include defining read/write permissions for various user groups and setting work flows for publication.

Content Management: Drupal has various Categories, Views and Menu options that may be used to organize and dynamically display web content. It has the ability to create primary menus, which are displayed on all pages, and sub navigational menus, which can be linked to specific web content on your website.

Custom Content Types: Drupal allows for multiple content types such as blog posts, static pages and videos.

Read/Write Permissions: Drupal allows for the definition of unique read/write permissions for various user groups.

Compatibility: Built from PHP, the CMS is compatible with many operating systems, hence is very easy to host on intranets or online servers.