Allowing people to edit text without accessing the HTML Code.

Hello!
I'm about to begin developing websites for people as the HTML/CSS programmer with the help of my colleague who specialises in Website Graphics and Templates.

I do however, have one issue.
I would like to find a method that would allow my 'clients' to edit the text of the website without editing any of the HTML code.
If anyone could answer such a question, I would be most greatful.

Thanks,
Eamon

You would need to use a 'CMS' - or Content Management System.

A CMS enables the client or user to log in to a control panel, where they can manage, modify and add pages and files, usually with very little or no knowledge of programming language.

The CMS 'protects' (to a certain extent) the core of the site, since the user can only modify the content - i.e. text and images. A CMS will use a template you specify or create, and apply it to each subsequent page added or modified by the user.

You can of course code your own, but it requires a certain amount of work. However, there are hundreds of open source systems available you can implement with (usually) little effort.

OpenSourceCMS is a great site where you can try out an array of CMS's already installed and running.

Among them, Wordpress is the popular choice for 'blogging', whilst Drupal, Joomla, Mambo and Textpattern are more advanced 'full-blown' systems.

Or, if you don't want that hassle.. I've done this one for a customer of mine. As long as the customer knows how to upload a file to his or her ftp this might do:

Code: Select all

<?php
//give the name to the file
$filename = "tekst.txt";

//open file
$fileToOpen = fopen($filename,"r");
//set the content of the file into a variable
$content = fread($fileToOpen, filesize($filename));
//set line break
$content = nl2br($content);
//close the file
fclose($fileToOpen);

//write the content
echo($content);
?>

Your client types the text in the .txt-file and uploads that in the same directory as the index.php.
Index.php reads the tekst.txt when it's loaded and done!

Thanks very much!