Or, how we created LIVE.PSU.EDU and NEWSWIRES.PSU.EDU without blowing our budget Or, how we created LIVE.PSU.EDU and NEWSWIRES.PSU.EDU without blowing our budget Managing News Content on the Cheap Using OSS For more information, contact Doug Stanfield University Relations 312 Old Main For more information, contact Doug Stanfield University Relations 312 Old Main

Manage 15+ Newswires (and subscribers) & content for integrated website; reduce inefficiencies Get off the software upgrade merry-go-round Avoid unnecessary hardware/software costs (dumping our computers, mainly) Manage 15+ Newswires (and subscribers) & content for integrated website; reduce inefficiencies Get off the software upgrade merry-go-round Avoid unnecessary hardware/software costs (dumping our computers, mainly) Background: Needs

We wanted to “own the code” avoid license restrictions & fees make changes on our schedule have better control of our costs use current hardware as much as possible Portability We wanted to “own the code” avoid license restrictions & fees make changes on our schedule have better control of our costs use current hardware as much as possible Portability Background: Needs II

Commercial Content Management Systems? Price: $10,000 --> $80,000 Incompatible or nonexistent software for Macs Common proprietary control mentality Commercial Content Management Systems? Price: $10,000 --> $80,000 Incompatible or nonexistent software for Macs Common proprietary control mentality Background

Server: Mac OSX v (Jaguar) But site code —Apache, PHP, mySQL— can run on UNIX/Linux & Windows It’s all free Client side: Any web browser, any OS CSS standardizes presentation Server: Mac OSX v (Jaguar) But site code —Apache, PHP, mySQL— can run on UNIX/Linux & Windows It’s all free Client side: Any web browser, any OS CSS standardizes presentation Hardware/Software

On the Server: “DAMP”* Darwin: UNIX underpinnings of OSX Apache (v ) mySQL database (V Distrib ) PHP (v )/Perl (v. 5) See also “LAMP” for Darwin: UNIX underpinnings of OSX Apache (v ) mySQL database (V Distrib ) PHP (v )/Perl (v. 5) See also “LAMP” for

Results so far.... Costs approx. 1/2 of lowest commercial CMS vendor’s est. No more automatic annual upgrade costs of web editors like Dreamweaver & GoLive Greatly reduced need to upgrade hardware (true for Mac or PC offices) Cannot claim this was cheaper than pre-built OSS solution, but probably was for us.

Low cost, affordable by most units Less pressure to buy hardware/software Basic tools are free Uniform presentation using CSS Write once, publish multiple places Virtually eliminated duplication of effort Saves time, increases story output Low cost, affordable by most units Less pressure to buy hardware/software Basic tools are free Uniform presentation using CSS Write once, publish multiple places Virtually eliminated duplication of effort Saves time, increases story output Pros and Cons

Technology has “mushed” roles together Role confusion and anxiety results “I don’t have enough to do. Is my job safe?” We think this is temporary and ultimately not serious. It has happened before.... Remember when faxing became popular? Technology has “mushed” roles together Role confusion and anxiety results “I don’t have enough to do. Is my job safe?” We think this is temporary and ultimately not serious. It has happened before.... Remember when faxing became popular? Pros and Cons

Under the Hood: Time for the test drive Under the Hood: Time for the test drive

Gatekeeper -- all roads lead to me Call Me “Indispensable” Job security This approach is ultimately self-defeating ‘You can’t stop the river’.... -Zen saying Gatekeeper -- all roads lead to me Call Me “Indispensable” Job security This approach is ultimately self-defeating ‘You can’t stop the river’.... -Zen saying Webmaster’s Role Option I

Enabler — Demonstrate, persuade, challenge Teacher — research ideas, spread them around, train Facilitator — bridge differences, channel conflict to creativity Make something new happen Enabler — Demonstrate, persuade, challenge Teacher — research ideas, spread them around, train Facilitator — bridge differences, channel conflict to creativity Make something new happen Webmaster Option 2 for long haul