I am trying to find a script that I can use (cannot be asp.net, php scripts are what I prefer) where people can write articles for the main site and then I can easily approve them and they will be uploaded to the site using our template. As it is now, people have to send me an article via email and then I have to format each page and upload. I love the way SlowTrav does trip reports and wanted something like that but their's is asp.

So anyway, I am starting the search and would like opinions (you can test out the demos to see what works or doesn't) I would love it if those so inclined would check them out and report their findings (good and bad, all comments welcome).

So far I have found two scripts but hope to locate more. If you have know of any others please let us know.

Script 1

Script 2

I did a quick run through of both. Article Manager let me copy and paste whereas the other one told me that Firefox didn't allow copying and pasting and that I'd have to adjust settings I don't have time to adjust the settings right now, but tomorrow I'll look at it again.

That said, the only thing I noticed that was a bit off in Article Manager was the "Last Updated" date said October 19 for some reason even though on the form to fill out with the article, it says December 31. Weird. Other than that, though, I really like AM. It's very easy to use--adding pics and files is a snap and quick even on dialup--and it didn't do weird things with my formatting when I copied and pasted, as I would be doing if I posted an article. I definitely like AM.

Thanks for the feedback. I will try to find a few more to compare to this week. I would love to be able to get this started in the next few weeks as I hope it will be a huge help in getting people to write content (we had the write-in contest but only got 7 articles in 6 months!)

So 29 people have looked at this thread and only 1 (albeit a great one) has responded. Does this mean I will be throwing $300 out the window if I buy the script or will people use it?

Oh and remember, no complaining AFTER we decide Have a comment, post it BEFORE I make the change.

I agree with Michelle, I think AM is the better one of the two. I just wish I had something to back it up with more than gut feeling. Although, FWIW, my gut was right about the recipe software.

Cristina, Are you surprised that there is a subject that I didn't comment on either seriously or otherwise? I really don't know anything about the software and what it would change for me reading or posting to your site? I did take a quick look at the links.

Well IMHO much of the 'problem' (if that is indeed what it is) is that many of your Expats are 'computer poor' like me....and be honest Cristina - you know my limitations as far as the technicalities of programmes, software, hardware etc. goes!

Often you come up with these super ideas and way's forward, like this 'script' one. The problem is that I can't comment simply because I don't know what you're talking about . Sorry, but it's way over my head. But people like Annika, testa dura, and was it(?) Dave who help you are far more likely to make sensible/understandable comments .

As for the 'Write In' contest - well I would have written something(s), but I'm not too sure that anything I have to offer would have been what you were looking for! Unfortunately my writing is often overtaken by my daft sense of humour - and I don't think that is at all what you were looking for with the contest.

Cristina, given the low utilization, is there a cheaper solution available? Maybe I'm a cheapskate but $300 seems an awful lot. If you amortize the price over the number of articles to be submitted it seems even more costly.

I too would love to find a cheaper way around this but there are not that many cheap ones. Heck I am already running the sites in the red so why not throw in another 300 (ammortized over a few years it is not that bad per month) I think that the ability to post an article with pictures and all will entice people more. At least I hope it will. Also, as it is basically a newspaper type program, we could have headlines of all the latest articles on the forum and on the main site index so that I would not have to constantly copy and paste things from one place to another.

We'll see if anyone is interested in at least writing some articles.

Carole, I told you (man I think so but brain is mush these days) that any and all first hand experiences are also welcome. It doesn't have to be just an article that is dry about how to set up a bank account (although those are great too) but real life experiences, humor and all, telling about our lives here in Italy, or getting to Italy, or leaving Italy. Whatever.

I too have no opinion about which software, only that presently it is very frustrating to do reviews, articles, etc. and not be sure they got where they were going and not to see them show up. I believe they slip into a crack, but I always feel that I'd rather get a rejection email than not know. I find it perfectly reasonable that I may send something that isn't usable or is unacceptable for some reason. I've been writing and publishing for decades, and I know one doesn't always hit the mark. I used to think that one day I would paper a bathroom in rejections, but threw them all out when I moved.
If it is all getting funneled through one person, it seems just too much work.
I have a cheap idea. Continue as you are, but have a special section where things are put up after a quick look-see by one or two monitors. They would have a run of perhaps one month. If there were adequate responses to an article, it could be published permanently. If it got nothing but look-sees, let it die after the normal period. Cost is nothing, and I would be delighted to have a place to go to see all that is new. It sometimes takes me months to stumble over a quite interesting article now.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Judith in Umbria,

Oops, my bad. Thought you were still trying to decide.
Bill

Bill, I haven't decided on which one to get yet but I do think we need a way to upload articles in the best way possible with as little work as possible.

No opinion on the software, just a comment about articles in general. Our experiences with moving to Italy and getting set-up are over 3 yrs old now, and not only has the process itself changed, there always seem to be slight variations from province to province, making it hard to wirte an aritle that's really useful....it either goes out of date very quickly or doesn't apply for other areas!

99% of my writing about our life in Italy, humorous or otherwise is on the blog. If there's ever an article that you feel would be of interest, I'd be happy to let you copy it to the site.

Otherwise even tho I've been here for 3+ year I'm just like everyone else here....still finding out stuff along the way, often accidentally! The message board is what keeps things current. Most of my contributions to the board are still questions, not answers!

I wish I was more 'techie' and could offer advice about the software question. I agree it would be great to be able to have artilces posted easily and quickly, and to not be so time consuming for Cristina. Best of luck!

Judith,

If you remember, the review section crashed and we had to upgrade it which took months. All of the database was destroyed. I posted about a month or so ago that it was fixed now and that anyone could start writing reviews. Nothing has been submitted yet http://www.expatsinitaly.com/review/

As for the idea to have two people monitor the articles, well that would be fine BUT remember,

• no one is submitting articles except for a handful in the past few months
• all articles are sent to me via email which can be problematic at times
• there is no set database for all of the articles
• I still have to edit, format, insert and upload each new page on my slow dial up
• when I do post a new article I say so on the forum but unfortunately, time goes by and people forget, with a running newsfeed from the site with all articles listed newest to oldest, this would not be a problem

Also, for a complete list of everything on the site, go to the Main Site Map and there is everything including the dates of the last items added.

Barb,

I should spend some time re reading your blog to let you know which articles would be helpful but just off the top of my head:

• you have to renew your health membership now that it is January, so an article on the renewal process would be great
• You have started the process to sell your house so your process would be great
• how you dry clothes in the winter months in Umbria
• things to do in Umbria
• what you bring back when you visit the states
• ideas for when you have houseguests
• etc.

See it is not all about the process of moving over but the process of living and dealing, wherever you are. Someone who is trying to get a visa to come over, someone who has been here for 10 years and has to host a pajama party for their 8 year old, culture shock, bureaucracy, life in general.

Did you check Google or other search engines for copies you could use as backup? Some months back I found a bunch of stuff of mine that was published 10 years ago! I also found stuff of mine translated into Japanese, Greek, French who knows what. There is an amazing junkyard out there full of stuff, good or bad, it doesn't discriminate.
BTW, that list shows nothing newer than August 2006. That can't be true, can it?
Is there a forum page link to what's new? Can there be if not?

Sure I could do that but honestly, the review section only had about 10 items reviewed or submitted. The time it would take on my slow dialup to find, copy paste, etc. would be IMO a waste. Better that people submit new reviews (heck our feelings about a product could have changed in the past year and a half)

I have a couple of articles that need to be uploaded but as far as articles go, no nothing since August! Interviews though have been added more recently although I do not put on the dates. All items that are added to the site are posted here in this subforum with POSTED: as the start of the subject.

Once we get a content management system, thsi will create a list for all to see on both the forum and the main site.

The whole deal here is I am trying to cut down on the work I have to do that could easily be automated. Just to add a new link to a page in the borders or aon a new list takes about 5 minutes for each one on dialup. If the process is automated then I would not have the problems of download and upload, just approve or disapprove. Click and I am donbe!

So instead of asking about the software, maybe I should instead ask:

Would you use a content management system that allows you to enter a complete article, add pictures etc. as well as could create a news feed and more? Would you send in articles?

While I prefer to allow editing by the publisher, and discussion with the publisher, yes, that would be more productive.
It feels unwieldy this way.
Same for Slow Travel, for which certain kinds of articles take months to format and publish.
As long as there is no half-cocked political tirade or pornography, just a glance to see that it actually has anything at all to do with the site should suffice.
The difference between a photo essay and a trip report on ST is months of sitting somewhere. Partly I think that is due to unpaid volunteer staff, but it is sort of sad, eh?

We will have editors (me and probably one other if it seems that it will be needed) Nothing will be posted unless approved of by me (or another editor).

FWIW, I have uploaded 4 new pages to the main site. These are the 4 last articles that were sent in for the contest. A list of all contest entries (a whopping 12! ) can be found on the link above to the contest.

Bumping this up since no one has responded (made the question easier in the hopes that I would get a consensus. Maybe I should do a poll?

quote:

So instead of asking about the software, maybe I should instead ask:

Would you use a content management system that allows you to enter a complete article, add pictures etc. as well as could create a news feed and more? Would you send in articles?

Article Manager is definitely better.

-Simple straightforward interface.
-Easy language.
-Not too iconic.
-Looks better in Mozilla.
-Can be used comfortably by novice users.
-Admin tools are fabulous.

My vote is for AM.

Yeah, I looked at the other site again, but now I'm firmly in the AM camp. It's just easier IMHO.