Posted by Christoph Burschka on 11/15/06 21:19

JM wrote:
> 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

Drupal can technically do all this, but you may spend several weeks making the
customizations and extra modules for the projects and files. I do know that
there is a Drupal add-on for LDAP authentication - and authentication against
the other database could be added with a similar module (taking some time). The
API for modules is well documented, but it does take some time getting used to.

So I'd recommend Drupal, but that's the only CMS I have worked with. I can only
tell you this can be done in Drupal, but not whether it can be done better with
something else.


--
Christoph Burschka

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