"What are the chief benefits?" Off-the-cuff, I would say database-driven content features (e.g show posts from XZY category from user "fred" on page "foo" and YXZ category from the "editor group" on page "bar"); extensibility; integration; authentication/authorization for end-users; custom administrative UIs and editorial workflows; features/modules/plugins for stuff that you might need (e.g. Shib support for authentication). Depending on the CMS, YMMV. We use Drupal extensively, both for the U Libraries main and departmental websites as well as for more custom projects (e.g. http://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu, https://www.ethicshare.org/, http://umedia.lib.umn.edu/). Drupal happens to be our Swiss Army Knife of choice, one that you can cut yourself with, as with /any/ tool of sufficient capability. In our situation, we needed to integrate a wide variety of library platforms with our site, provide support for a growing body of features that require authenticated users/roles/etc and still be "administratable" by non-programmers. Since we were primarily a PHP shop, and because Drupal had/has about the best/most flexible API in the PHP CMS universe, Drupal was the clear winner for us. "We are currently using Dreamweaver. Would Adobe Contribute suffice if all is going well with my team of web contributors now?" Not really....unless the problem isn't with your contributors but with what you are able to offer your end-users with your current setup. If the latter is OK, stick with what works, I would say. "UMContent?" It became obvious during the training sessions that UMContent was not going to support our needs for customization and integration. But we actually needed to do lots of this kind of thing, not so for every department. Shameless plug: I'm part of the TC Drupalcamp 2012 planning committee, and we'll be holding our camp again this May. We bring in core developers from around the country and even the world to this event and will have a full day "Drupal 101" training for newcomers as we did last year. These training sessions normally run in excess of $500, so the $20 camp fee is a pretty good value. Speakers and schedule are forthcoming, but you can register here if you are interested: http://2012.tcdrupal.org/ Here is our program from last year, gives you an idea of what we'll be up to this year: http://2011.tcdrupal.org/schedule There will be a many opportunities to ask tough questions, get advice and figure out if Drupal is right for you... Cheers, -Chad On Thu, Mar 29, 2012 at 4:48 PM, Ann Nordby <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Can I please have opinions on content management systems? > > 1. Yes or no? > We are evaluating the benefits of going to a CMS. What are the chief > benefits? We are currently using Dreamweaver. Would Adobe Contribute suffice > if all is going well with my team of web contributors now? > > 2. UMContent? > Does UMContent work well for anyone? It is centrally supported and free. Any > problems with it? > > Thank you for your opinions. > Best, > Ann > > -- > > Ann Nordby > Web manager > University of Minnesota | Extension Center for Youth Development > McNamara Alumni Center > 200 Oak Street SE, #270B > Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA > 1-612-624-2581 > [log in to unmask] > extension.umn.edu/youth > Read our blog! Youth Development Insight > > >