Posted by JM on 11/14/06 20:31

I have never used a (content management system) CMS before but I need
one for my internship as a webdeveloper.

Requirements: runs on Apache, linux or unix, MySQL and PHP (maybe
Windows server and IIS)

Authentication (not sure yet): existing user database, LDAP or
permissions on directories (not sure if that last one is possible)

Purpose: scientist working on projects should be able to upload their
files (wide variety of types of files) to a central server. The file is
described by a lot of metadata based on the datatype (data described by
file) and project (this part will probably have to be programmed and
added to the CMS). The uploaded file can be private (only owner has
access) (owner), shared read or read/write with projectmembers (group)
or public (world). Each project must have a superuser who can access all
data of project.
There are serveral projects. A scientist can participate in more then
one project. Some things sound like a document management system, I know
of this only by name.

Other: probably available in a CMS. Able to display public information,
to display information related to project(s) once someone has logged in,
RSS feed, maybe being able to add comment on uploaded files of other
projectmembers, blog per project, personal information about scientist,
storing previous versions of files (no requirement for project, they
keep daily backups).

Currently files are stored in directories. Permissions are for owner,
group and world. But number of projects and number of people using it
are increasing. It is only for projects in progress. Once projects are
finished they are moved to a different database.

I don't have that much time for this project (6-7 weeks), to make
prototype, must make analyses and design first and try to find someone
to squeeze out all the requirements. I would like to limit the choice of
a CMS (or DMS) to 1 (maybe 2). Joomla probably will not qualify if
authentication will make use of LDAP or existing DB. The use of
assigning people to more then one project probably will exclude Joomla
too. Maybe XOOPS or Drupal are a better choice and there are probably
dozens of other opensource CMS. But I don't want to spend too much time
trying them all out. Can someone give me some advice which CMS or DMS
qualifies or that I should give a try or mention the ones that I can
exclude ?

Another requirement: good information (manual, howto, examples) available.

Thanx,

JM

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