1. Do I need any special software to manage my website?
2. Do I need any programming or web design skills to edit my website?
3. So what is a "Content Management System"?
4. How much does it all cost?
5. Who's using the Content Management System at the moment?
6. What are the advantages of this particular Content Management System?
7. What about ongoing techincal support?
8. How will the Content Management System develop in the future?

No, all you need is an internet-connected PC running Microsoft Windows, and Internet Explorer version 5.5 or above.  As of October 2004, you will also be able to use an Apple-Mac computer, and the range of browsers will extend to include Mozilla and Netscape Navigator.

No - you don't need any specialist skills.  We will give you a day's training which will show you everything you need to edit and update your website - the CMS does all the actual web design for you.

So what is a "Content Management System"?

It's a piece of software that's quite similar to a word processor.  You type in the words you want on a web-page, add any pictures, then click "save" and the Content Management System (CMS) does all the work of turning your typing into a branded web page and uploading it onto the internet where people can see the information you want them to.

 

The CMS can also do more complicated web pages, like searchable directories, online job vacancy databases, event calendars, and email newsletter subscription pages - all without you needing any web design skills.

How much does it all cost?

If you're a community or voluntary organisation in the Greater Nottingham area then you can take advantage of the CMS for a subscription of £30 per year (plus a £35 setup fee in the first year).

Who's using the Content Management System at the moment?

There's a growing list of organisations using the CMS which can be found here:

http://www.gngateway.org.uk/users

What are the advantages of this particular Content Management System?

This CMS is geared especially towards partnership working.

 

Firstly, special "global search pages" let visitors search all of the websites on our CMS.  For example, a search for "basic skills" will find all of the pages about basic skills from all of these organisations within the Greater Nottingham area - including courses that you or other organisations in the area may be providing, funding for basic skills in Nottinghamshire etc.

 

Secondly, if you're working in partnership with another organisation on a project, you can specify one particular area of your website where both you and your partner organisation can add and edit the web pages using the CMS.

 

You can create directories (single table databases) which can be shared with other users of the system, and displayed on both your site and their site - reducing duplication of work.

 

You can also create password protected sections of your website which can only be viewed by visitors who have specific passwords that you have given them.  This means that you can use your website to share information with your partner organisations which is not yet ready to be made fully public.

What about ongoing techincal support?

We provide free technical support through a number of channels.

 

Firstly, you can use the Discussion Forum on this site (click http://www.gngateway.org.uk/forum) which has been specially set up to encourage mutual support between the users of CMS.  Post a question on the forum and it'll be answered by another user of the CMS. 

 

It's always worth checking the forum for past questions and answers - you may find the solution to your query there already.  Once you've got the hang of the CMS we'd encourage you to keep visiting the forum - not only to pick up tips on advanced features and news about updates to the system, but also to answer questions from new users.

 

You can also get free technical support by emailing support@acceleratenottingham.com

We think that should be up to you, so we're currently setting up a Steering Group from amongst the users of the CMS.  The Steering Group will liaise with EIBS (the company who have produced this Content Management System) to develop new features based on what you, the users, want.

 

If you're a user of this CMS and you're interested in joining the Steering Group, please email us by clicking here.