> 

I think that one of the important things for small organizations to think first about is how you want to use an online tool.  Websites are different from databases.  If you are storing discreet pieces of data, more like a online archive, that isn’t a website but a collections management system in the form of a database, like PastPerfect, ReDiscover, ContentDM, or TMS. Websites, designed using tools like Wordpress, can draw from these and that can make the site dynamic and interesting.  Many small organizations don't understand the differences between these online tools. 
In my museum studies teaching days, I always told my students that museums operated on 2 principles: Access and Preservation. If I were to grossly exaggerate and generalize their uses, I would say that a website is for access while an online collections management system (database) is for preservation.
Anna

Anna Fariello, Associate Professor
Digital Initiatives
Hunter Library, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee NC 28723
828-227-2499
[log in to unmask]
http://www.wcu.edu/library/DigitalCollections/
> 
> 
> Hello readers, 
> I am on the board for the Canton Historical Society, a very small organization. Our Museum is housed in a one-room schoolhouse, and we're completely run by volunteers. 
> 
> To get us moving onto the web, I'm looking for a good web CMS (content management system), most likely open-source (as we have a very limited budget), for our organization's web presence as well as some historical photos, videos, and archival finding aids. So this had me thinking that a CMS would help solve any problems such as data storage that a typical website creator (like Squarespace) might not be able to handle. 
> 
> I found a couple useful articles ( http://spyrestudios.com/free-content-management-systems/ and http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/free-content-management-systems/ ) but I wanted to get some input from the professional community. What are some of the pros/cons to Drupal, WordPress, Joomla, etc. specifically for the museum sector? Is there a particular CMS most museum professionals are utilizing? What are some of the specific options I should be considering in selecting a CMS? Am I on the right track? Thank you so much for all your help! 
> 
> Sincerely, 
> 
> Mekie Kukan 
> Vice President 
> Canton Historical Society 
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> 
> 
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