So, a classmate recently posed some questions about Drupal vs. Sharepoint, so I did some searching. Here is my very roughly put together group of links to clarify the decision making process in choosing a Content Management System in light of accessibility considerations:
Drupal, and other "open source" Content Management Systems (CMS) are really free (as are all "open source" / "open access" applications in general), however, "For many webmasters, the choice between open source or commercial hinges largely on cost but you should know that whereas open source is invariably free to procure and to install, you may come up against costs on the backend should you run into problems. Top quality support is not always available right when you need it."(http://www.blogtrepreneur.com/2009/08/26/which-web-content-management-system-is-right-for-you/)
But with so many choices, how do you choose? Consider:
From a few searches on how Drupal and Sharepoint differ/are similar, I did find:
http://drupal.org/node/22645
http://drupal.org/node/22645
Other open-source content managers, besides Drupal, include:
- Plone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plone_(software)
- Plone v Drupal: https://weblion.psu.edu/trac/weblion/wiki/PloneVersusDrupal
- Plone v Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal: http://cmsreport.com/blog/2009/excellent-guide-comparing-wordpress-joomla-drupal-and-plone
- Alfresco http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfresco_(software)
- Alfresco v Sharepoint http://www.wareprise.com/2009/02/20/a-simple-comparison-between-alfresco-and-sharepoint/
- And these: http://www.siteground.com/best_cms_tools.htm
- Much much more! http://net.tutsplus.com/articles/web-roundups/top-10-most-usable-content-management-systems/
- There are plenty of options when it comes to picking a content management system for a development project. Depending on how advanced you need the CMS to be, what language it's built in, and who is going to be using it, it can be a nightmare trying to find the "perfect" CMS for a project.
However, some CMSs have a slight edge over the rest of the competition because of the usability of the software. Some are just easier to install, use and extend, thanks to some thoughtful planning by the lead developers. Here are 10 of the most usable CMSs on the web to use in your next project.
But with so many choices, how do you choose? Consider:
- http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/pages/choosing-an-open-source-web-content-management-system.aspx
- http://ostatic.com/blog/choosing-an-open-source-cms-planning-playing-and-page-views
- This is very nice for side to side comparisons on the techy stuff involved: http://www.cmsmatrix.org/
- A pretty new, real live paper BOOK that gives advice: http://www.cmswire.com/cms/web-cms/reviewed-new-book-on-selecting-an-open-source-cms-004795.php
- http://www.noupe.com/php/choosing-cms-tips.html
- http://www.contenthere.net/2009/08/dimensions-of-success-or-ways-to-fail.html
- http://www.craig-edmonds.com/why-its-important-to-have-a-search-engine-friendly-cms/
- If you have taken Irwin's Resources for People with Disabilities course, and even if you have not, this is something else to consider when using CMS for commerical purposes,especially in libraries that receive government monies, as it will need to be cognizant of accessibility per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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