The I-Metrics CMS is a complete dynamic content management system that can be used for start-up businesses, blogs and personal sites. One of the objectives of the project is to further expand the MS2.2 framework covering other types of websites.
The package includes features to create, group and associate text pages and image lists, effective SEO modules, scalable via a Plugins manager and uses the engine of osCommerce MS2.2 simplified without e-commerce features.
Several adminn tools allow the site owner to monitor traffic, backup the database, personalize the site, manage the website content, send/receive emails and optionally manage multiple websites via a single administration control panel.
I-Metrics CMS is extremely light, very easy to learn and it is expandable and suitable for both novice and advanced web-developers. Novice programmers can easily learn the basics of the framework as the core structure is basically osCommerce – changes to the core files are very simple, while advanced developers can use object oriented programming and the benefits of he integrated Plugin manager to expand or modify the framework according to their website requirements. Only a handful of files control the layout of website front, making template integration trivial.
The built-in Plugins manager is independent of the core functionality, individual Plugins can take advantage of the core functions or implement their own.
The latest releases of this package can be found in sourceforge.net and there is an online demonstration of the package at demos.asymmetrics.com.
I did another release of the I-Metrics CMS. It has various new features so at the top of the regular CMS functionality of previous versions,
1. Multiple Languages support
Using a fully automated and dynamic method to control multiple language the I-Metrics CMS generates the necessary files and database tables of new languages with a click of a button. Incorporation of the multilingual system is virtually transparent to a developer. The administrator can edit content by selecting the proper language and he can define what components of the CMS should be language aware from the back-end. Plugins can be language aware or use the default system pre-installed language.
2. Direct Content Management
This is another important feature introduced with version 1.12 where the site administrator has the ability to edit content directly on the web-front via a lightbox. With a click of a button the system generates a totally secure session for the administrator on the website. Text pages and various types of collection may then be edited.
3. Advanced Banner Management
Also with this version a banners manager is available. Banners can be grouped to be presented as a sequence in a specific page or can be individually setup to be displayed on every page. Banner groups have special properties where the administrator can specify the location on the web-front and dimension limits. Each banner records clicks and impressions and may contain any type of resource format including videos, flash, regular images or other active scripts. The administrator can directly enter html code in a banner edit box or specify a URL for the image to be displayed.
4. Newsletter system
A flexible newsletter management is now included as a plugin. Newsletter can be created with the aid of a template manager and then send to subscribers. The I-Metrics CMS can record whether the subscriber read the newsletter. The system includes newsletter subscription/removal and combines the list of subscribers with the master list of website customers.
5. Download Manager
A new download mechanism for files is now available. The website administrator can specify downloads for specific text pages or collections of pages. Multiple downloads may be specified for the same page. Each download can have a separate title or description or can be grouped under the same set of downloads with a common title/description.
6. Right and Left Column plugin
Text pages and Collections of pages can now include dedicated content on the sides of the website. The administrator can specify with the use of boxes, associated content for each page viewed.
Other new plugins are also included with this version including code tags, alternative content display. The new version of CMS further utilizes the jQuery framework having a popup help for various pages.
The framework now includes support for extensionless URLs and page requests can be decoded with virtually any extension. The SEO-G component integrated has now various new configuration options to instantly generate URLs from the back-end and the site owner can specify various modes of operation.
To assist developers, the CMS includes a database monitoring system that reports timings for database transactions and enhanced server information for the web server, database and PHP language.
A templates manager is integrated with the main system components. Templates can be created for emails, content or plugins and loaded instantly when needed.
A forms controller is also included with this version for plugins to utilize. The forms controller includes 3 different levels and various html input tags to select from.
A complete helpdesk system is also included with the CMS and was improved with this version to include an address book and separate mail server connections for each account. Helpdesk departments may point to different mail servers.
This version of CMS is based on osCommerce MS2.2 as the previous ones.
Nice work Mark!