Surreal CMS
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:27
If you can browse the internet, you can use Surreal CMS, a remotely hosted content management system. This simplistic system makes it easy to edit websites with little or no training. Surreal CMS accesses your current website via SFTP and FTP and scans for editable regions based on defined class attributes. Surreal CMS then provides a method of editing suitable for the selected content region.
You start by defining editable regions on each web page by just using class=â€editableâ€. At this point, Surreal CMS connected to your website and provides the intuitive editing interface. In just moments, you'll start editing your website with no official training required. Surreal CMS is as flexible as possible but for best results, web pages should follow certain basic guidelines prior to editing.
Surreal CMS is compatible with Google Chrome, Firefox 2+, Internet Explorer 7+, Opera 9+ and Safari 3+. If you have Internet Explorer 6, a supported browser is required prior to accessing Surreal CMS. While Surreal keeps track of most revisions made to web pages, you should always keep a backup before editing. All changes you publish via the Surreal CMS become permanent.
When you subscribe to Surreal CMS, you are automatically designated as a designer responsible to define and enable web page content regions. You can also edit web pages yourself as well as designate an editor to perform this task with their own password and link to a generic login page. As the designer, you designate which websites the editor has access to. Editors cannot enable web pages, add new websites or change the Surreal CMS theme or logo. There is one designer per Surreal subscription but there can be multiple editors.
To be compliant with W3C Standards, you should use XHTML Transitional DOCTYPE for your web pages to avoid occasional validation errors. For special character encoding, you should use the UTF-8 format. The title, keywords and description of each web page can be modified in the Properties Editor.
Besides defining content regions, you can also label editor regions by adding an id attribute or title to the the respective elements. Labels appear on the web page editor tool bar of easily identify content regions on each page.
You can even customize the editor styles to make content resemble the styles you use on your website. To ensure links work, use absolute URLs rather than relative links, such as those pointing to particular images.
Many users appreciate the features offered by Surreal CMS for free. If you are a free account holder, there are a few limitations. You can only manage three website and you cannot upload custom logos. Paid accounts have greater freedom and flexibility, which is especially beneficial for established webpreneurs running several successful websites.
Whether you choose a free or paid account, Surreal CMS users enjoy quick and easy setup with no need to ever download, install or update any software. With 128-bit encryption, your sensitive login data is safe. With changing your exiting web host or learning any special technical skills, Surreal CMS turns you into a stellar web editor.
About the author David Tanguay |
