Contribute is a client application that allows non-technical users to add and maintain content on websites without modifying the underlying design or code. It uses Dreamweaver templates to define editable and non-editable regions. The site administrator can assign user roles and permissions to control what content contributors can edit, publish, or save as drafts. Content contributors connect to sites using a connection key file provided by the administrator and then browse to pages to add or edit content within the designated editable regions only.

1. CONTRIBUTE Dennis Deacon - [email_address]

2. Contribute — What is it? Client application that allows non-HTML designers or technologists to add and maintain content while leaving the design of the site untouched Can add content without breaking the site Can free up the designer for more important, project tasks Can allow freedom for the content knowledge workers

3. Features Allows content contributors to update multiple websites and blogs from a single application without learning HTML Easily add all types of content (text, images, Flash & rich media) Uses Dreamweaver templates; insures integrity Central administration of users, editing/publishing permissions Quick website or blog edit/posting from other environments (MS Office, IE, Firefox)

4. Pros & Cons Pros Frees up a skilled designer/developer to allow non-techies to add/edit content on a website or blog No HTML skill required; similar to MS Word No FTP skill/experience required; publishing is seamless Integrity of website can be maintained Allows centralized administration of look n’ feel, contributor roles & editing permissions, etc. Content rollback Can work on/offline Cons Client-side application; requires licensed software to be installed on every user’s computer Editing tool, not designing/development tool Meant for management of static content, not dynamic, database-backed content Word with one document at a time; slower than using Dreamweaver No access to source code Requires at least basic administration to be effective Connectivity / corruption problems

5. Workflow Designer/developer creates site via Dreamweaver with Contribute usage in mind Site Administrator assigns roles & permissions to the people responsible for maintaining the content “ Contributors” in roles with permissions manage content (add/edit/delete) content “ Contributors” either submit the draft for review, or publish the content directly

6. Designing a Contribute Site Use Dreamweaver Enable Contribute compatibility Leverage Web Standards Separate structured content from presentation Leverage Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for presentation Create templates/pages with Editable Regions that allow users to edit content. Remaining portions of the page are locked Publish, then release to content contributors

7. Designing Templates - Editable Regions Editable Regions Editable Regions Remainder of page is un-editable

8. Repeating Editable Regions Repeating Editable Regions Repeating Editable Regions

9. Assigning Roles & Permissions Site Administrator Creates the user roles (ex. Publisher, Editor, Approver) Creates the permissions per role File/Folder access Editing (scripts, images, text only, etc.) Style support (user styles or just pre-determined) New pages (blank, custom pages or pre-determined templates only) File locations Shared Assets Ability to publish content with/without review & approval

10. Creating the End User Connection Manually Via “wizard,” “fill in the form” approach Via a Connection Key Administrator generates from Dreamweaver Can be emailed directly to user (not advised) or saved to local computer Best Practice: Admin sends Connection Key file with instructions, then under separate cover (verbally) communicates the password

11. Connecting via Connection Key Saved Connection Key My Connections > Import User enters their unique information

12. The Contribute Start Page List of established connections. To begin editing/creating, open a connection

13. Connect Open Connection then browse to page to edit (or File > Open)

14. Browse to Page, then Edit Editable Regions Cannot make changes to areas outside of Editable Regions

15. Repeating Regions “ Repeating Regions” allow for adding like regions. Can add or delete regions Can move/order regions up/down

16. Formatting Content Can add or delete regions Formatting options … access controlled by Admin

17. Either Publish, Review, Save or Discard Publish (If permitted by permissions) Send for Review Save for Later Discard Draft (Cancel editing)

18. Case Study: Mill Brook Travel

19. Case Study: Mill Brook Travel Initial agreement with client was Site designed Client would maintain content Contribute selected as “best tool” After templates & pages created, documented created to hand off to client Client reneged; requesting site maintenance services content for monthly fee Client eventually dropped due to resource constraints No reflection on Contribute, the tool 

20. Live Demonstration

21. Q & A