PacerCMS Tips: Going beyond the CMS
We have made PacerCMS with the goal of being flexible to fit your publication's needs. While we have not included every piece of Web software your site will need, there are a few packages out there that would compliment a PacerCMS install.
Media Management
If having to edit and FTP photos for the Web is a constant pain for your newsroom, try out these options to help manage your multimedia needs.
- Gallery 2 - A very robust, database driven media manager
- Gallery 1.5 - If your system cannot meet Gallery 2's requirements
Web Advertising
Most campus and community newspapers are still testing the waters with online advertising. Start bringing in revenue from local and national advertisers.
- Openads 2.0 (aka phpAdsNew) – Reliable and easy to use
- Openads 2.3 (aka Max Media Manager) – Offers a wider array of advertising options
Blogging
Our platform is intended to fit within your newspaper's traditional work flow. Blogs offer a great way for reader interaction with your best columnists.
- WordPress - One of the best blogging platforms ever created; Very easy to setup
- Drupal - Great for building online communities; Requires more setup
Style Guide
Collaborate with your staff with an online "wiki" of commonly used words, people, places, departments etc. Great for passing information from one year's staff to the next.
- MediaWiki - Powers Wikipedia; Beware of vandalism
Did we forget something?
If you have come across a great tool that we have not mentioned here, post it on our discussion list.