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[MadeMyDay]

Hi,

I'm going to write an article about a comparison of different CMS backends. Perhaps we can learn from other CMS how to build a userfriendly manager. I am looking for suggestions... I already captured a lot of backends at opensourcecms.com (the ones I know), but not all of them. Do you have some CMS in mind which I can compare? Should have a stylish but intuitive backend. Thanks! Dont have to be open source, I only need a screenshot of the starting page an one of the content area.

Thanks!

[Tom]

Not directly a CMS... but the way Rally handles the UI fro Agile Project Management, is trend-setting I think for CMS's : http://www.rallydev.com/

[MadeMyDay]

Hi Tom,

thanks. could you perhaps provide a screenshot? I can't find something on their website.

[smashingred]

While the Revolution manager is an improvement over 096 in many ways it may not be 100% complete. There are some definite UI optimizations to be done and Revolution is not even out of beta yet.

Cheers,

Jay

[MadeMyDay]

While the Revolution manager is an improvement over 096 in many ways it may not be 100% complete.

That is the reason for this comparison! I want to compare the different solutions, look at particular good ones an finally create a mockup for a discussion about a potential new UI for the manager. The revo one is more or less a duplicate of the old one and I think "hey it's revolution time!", so perhaps it is time to throw some inherited waste over board. And following the discussions about naming the things in Revo I think we can also start discussing a new UI. Since the new manager should be a way more configurable (sic!), there should be the potential to create something new, better, more modern and intuitive... revolutional ;-)

Timeline for this is not to make something completely new as standard for 2.0, but perhaps have the possibility to choose an alternative which can be standard some time.

There are some definite UI optimizations to be done and Revolution is not even out of beta yet.

So it is not too late to come in with suggestions. Suggestions from the user view, not the developer`s if you know what I mean ;-)

Btw, my first impression of "the other ones" is that MODx already is one of the better...

[dev_cw]

Btw, my first impression of "the other ones" is that MODx already is one of the better...

I Agree!! 

It is difficult to compare with modx. I like ExpressionEngine although they are mostly geared to blogs their interface is simple and easy to understand. I also like WordPress (both new and old). To me it has to be both functional and simple. I think that users enjoy the 2.0 stuff like bigger text and cleaner layouts.

What would be interesting to have in modx would be 2 UIs, a developers UI and a contributers UI (I guess this can be easily done with contexts). This would eliminate the need that some folks have to create simple front-end authoring. This would be very cool to have out-of-the-box and help bridge the gap between contributors and developers (the current UI is very cool but it over the top for simple authoring - both 09x and Revo). I used a project manager tool that had a client view and a contributor view and this was very cool since it simplified things for the client. Is this doable or a good idea?

[MadeMyDay]

To me it has to be both functional and simple. I think that users enjoy the 2.0 stuff like bigger text and cleaner layouts.

EXACTLY my thoughts!

It is difficult to compare with modx. I like ExpressionEngine although they are mostly geared to blogs their interface is simple and easy to understand.

No matter if blog or not, the principle stays the same -> Manage some kind of content (erm, ressources  ) Unfortunately I can't find a standard view of the control panel... On the demo there is only a not so stylish one available. Could you perhaps take a screenshot of the default panel and the publishing area? Thanks!

What would be interesting to have in modx would be 2 UIs, a developers UI and a contributers UI (I guess this can be easily done with contexts).

Again: EXACTLY my thoughts! My intention is to create an UI for the common user, that usually is a publisher. But the principle is the same for all users: Keep it simple and intuitive!

This would eliminate the need that some folks have to create simple front-end authoring.

Well, I think that doesn`t exclude each other. The frontend editing is also a point to discuss (and to improve, QE is cool but also old, e.g. I think MODx could raise the bar with some kind of inline editing...).

This would be very cool to have out-of-the-box and help bridge the gap between contributors and developers *the current UI is very cool but it over the top for simple authoring - both 09x and Revo). I used a project manager tool that had a client view and a contributor view and this was very cool since it simplified things for the client. Is this doable or a good idea?

I'm with you... Could you share some screenshots of this tool (both views)?

[jeremy]

What would be interesting to have in modx would be 2 UIs, a developers UI and a contributers UI (I guess this can be easily done with contexts). This would eliminate the need that some folks have to create simple front-end authoring.

I agree 100% with this idea. The problem I run into with many systems is they give too much control to the client/contributer. It would be nice if, as the developer, we could specify exactly what each user can have access to when they login. Be it specific pages, or specific fields, snippets, chunks, etc...

I think the key for the interfaces is to balance the power the developer needs with the simplicity that the client/contributer needs. Of course each project is different so some contributers need more access then others. That's where "feature enable/disable" options would be helpful to the developer.

As for an interface design, why limit it to CMS systems? Although I was put off at first, I've come to really like the "Microsoft Ribbon" in the new version of Office. Not exactly what a CMS needs but there are some interesting layout ideas there.

[MadeMyDay]

As for an interface design, why limit it to CMS systems?

First look what your neighbour can do for you, then walk down the street

Although I was put off at first, I've come to really like the "Microsoft Ribbon" in the new version of Office. Not exactly what a CMS needs but there are some interesting layout ideas there.

Well, I'm at Linux, but I think I know what you mean, I also like it. I will take a look at it and include it in the comparison. The comparison surely isn't limited on CMS, I want to collect UI best practices. Also OS can provide good examples.

[atma]

Take a look of new EE 2.0 backend http://expressionengine.com/ee2_sneak_preview/
Some interesting things in http://demo.silverstripe.com/, http://www.magentocommerce.com/

[MadeMyDay]

Take a look of new EE 2.0 backend http://expressionengine.com/ee2_sneak_preview/
Some interesting things in http://demo.silverstripe.com/, http://www.magentocommerce.com/

Thanks! Captured them. Silverstripe is really cool.

[dev_cw]

I had not seen EE2.0, thanks for the link. I already like the previous look but the new one is very nice.

[rthrash]

Keep in mind that both the Revolution Manager and the Evolution Manager will be different than what's out there today. This conversation in even just a few months will likely be different. As far as limiting things, you can do much of that today with simple roles. Revolution will make this much more granular, however.

[MadeMyDay]

Keep in mind that both the Revolution Manager and the Evolution Manager will be different than what's out there today.

Sure, another reason for collecting ideas.

Revolution will make this much more granular, however.

That is my reason for starting the comparison. To create a manager that fits the user`s needs. If the mockup then is realisable with revo...perfect

[smashingred]

Silverstripe's manager is very similar to modx BUT I think that 3 column is going in the wrong direction. (although SS has diff/history, DnD image placement and GD handling on image upload (really nice).)

EE 2 on the other hand is very attractive, has larger fonts (which is something end users appreciate) and thoughtful use of color and whitespace.

Interface design is a design project and the managers will get refinement--especially Revolution since it is a means to an end using Ext Js.

Personally, I'd love to see a combination of HTML and jQuery or some AJAX in the manager. But the design is not a design its just an interface.

We're a mature project and we need to do what all mature projects do and that is enhance the user experience continually through improvements, testing and design.

I am impressed by EXTJS for ease of implementation but see the limits of using an OOTB. We are stuck with the formats, outputs and more significantly the structures of the system rather than the system be a presentation layer for the manager.

[Wiseguy]

Hi there all,

I have not been on the ModX forums for a while and I thought I'd see how Revolution is coming on as I installed the alpha a few months back I think. To me one of the key elements of ModX has always been how easy the Manager is to explain to other people. There has always been obvious thought put into the design and from a designer and developer's point of view, it is simply a great piece of software. Now I think with a perfect backend, as well as the de-cluttered code of Revolution, ModX could very easily become the industry leader.

If you have not seen it already, I would suggest taking a look at the Magento administration area - it has 'revolutionised' e-commerce stores with an application level interface. I know this is a great UI because I have sat with clients who think they are using a program rather than a web admin area. Check out the demo at http://www.magentocommerce.com/demo

In fact I used Magento and ModX together on a project about 4 months ago - Magento as the e-com solution and ModX as a magazine area. Magento has an API that could be implemented with ModX.

I use many online apps, but by far Magento's UI is the hands-down winner at addressing the needs of it's users. I won't post screengrabs as the beauty of the UI is in the actual interaction.

Keep up the amazing work!

Jim

[captain]

Clearest backend i've ever seen: http://demo.typolight.org/typolight/index.php

It even validates...!

[MadeMyDay]

So, hadn't had time for writing a detailed comparison. But from what I saw, there are not that much solutions out there worth mentioning... Instead I created a mockup how I wish the manager to look like.

Let me explain a bit:

- Entry page after logging in is a configurable dashboard. Each user can decide what to display here. Also most needed functions can be put there as quicklinks.
- On the upper left we have a always displayed toolbar with the links "home","preview","clear cache" and "show tree". Hovering that bar will display the text to the links (not in the images).

Inner page:

- Like in the new office versions (see post above), the possible actions are reachable by hovering the section link (like "site" etc.)
- I cleaned up a bit the ressource, elements and files tree. Actions which are dependend on the individual tree are shown right above the tree. General section actions (like add ressource) are displayed in the section menu.

Well, just take a look. Comments, suggestions etc. very appreciated.

I think MODx needs a more attractive backend for the enduser, so that`s the reason why I spent my weekend with this mockup ;-)

Greetings,
Marc

[rthrash]

Awesome awesome stuff. THANK YOU!

[dev_cw]

Very nice mockup. I am drooling just looking at it.