General CMS-Related Terms

The following list of terms are either commonly used in reference to Content Management Systems; or more specifically used in Baseline CMS documentation.

architecture (as in information architecture)

A general term referring to the organization of information on a website or extranet.

back-end

Refers to the parts of a website that are not usually accessible to the general public. (See also: front-end.)

banner

In Baseline CMS, this is either a text or graphic "heading" type of an element that displays the title of a Classification node or Display Object.

Baseline CMS

Your Content Management System (CMS). It contains the database that holds your website content and settings, the Baseline CMS interface, and the application that generates web pages and Ebulletins and Reports.

Baseline CMS interface

The web application where you make changes to your Baseline CMS. You login to your Baseline CMS using a web browser.

body

This may refer to the viewable, "content" area of a web page.

cache

Refers to the temporary storage of data, either in a web-browser or server.

"Cascading Style Sheets," style sheets or CSS

A language that is used to describe and define the presentation (formatting and display) of a web-based content. It allows a website's author or publisher to create an overall look and feel for web pages, while being able to generate content independent of its formatting.

child node

In Baseline CMS, refers to lower levels of the information hierarchy (on the Classification Tree) as they relate to the level above. (See also: parent node.)

Classification node

In Baseline CMS, a branch of the Classification Tree where information is grouped. A Classification node is usually displayed as a list of items under a category name (such as "Products" or "Services.") Listed items can include a mix of Content Items and other Classification Nodes.

Classification Tree

In Baseline CMS, a visual representation of the organization (architecture) of your Baseline CMS website.

content

Data (text, graphics or multimedia) displayed, published or broadcasted in a website, Extranet or an Eblast.

Content Item

In Baseline CMS, these are distinct pieces of content of various types - including articles, forms, events, etc.

database (or relational database)

A structured collection of data. Baseline CMS and its websites use a database to store all information about users, content, architecture and other settings.

Distribution List

In Baseline CMS, a group of Subscribers based on a given Property. For example: a Property can be a geographic location determined by postal code. You can then use that property to target the designated group with a specific Ebulletin mailing.

Extranet

A password-protected website generally set up for registered users who are outside an organization. For example: association members, customers, agents or affiliates.

Ebulletin or Eblast

An email targeted and "broadcasted" to a group of subscribers based on some unifying criteria. (Example: a Board of Directors)

filter

In database terminology, the action of selecting some records and not others is called filtering. A specific value for a given field is used to filter records. For example, Baseline CMS can filter Content Items in a list view that are approved for publishing by selecting a status of "Approved." In the database, "Approved" is the value of the "Status" field for a given Content Item record.

front-end

The parts of a website that are viewable in a web browser and available to the general public. (See also: back-end.)

head

The area of a webpage that is not viewable, but contains important data such as script references and meta information. In Baseline CMS, this is referred to as the "Header" under Website settings (in Architecture.) "Header" can also refer to the Shell area at the top of a web page.

home page

The first, or "landing" page of a website. In Baseline CMS, the home page carries special considerations in regard to page display. For instance, home page Display Objects are handled under Website settings, as opposed to Shell settings.

HTML

"Hypertext Markup Language" - the standard language used to create web pages.

interface

A program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer screen) and allows the user to interact with the system.

Intranet

A password-protected website available to users who are generally employees of an organization.

JavaScript

A scripting language most commonly used to add interactive features to web pages.

keywords

Refers to meta data that is embedded within the head of a web page and related to its content. This data is commonly indexed and used by search engines to help users find specific content on the Web.

link or hyperlink

A piece of HTML code - usually applied to some text or a graphic - that allows a user to open a page or file by clicking on it. Can also be used to describe the action of opening a file or navigating to a new page by clicking on a link.

list view

In Baseline CMS, this refers to a table displaying a list of links to items stored in the database, along with specific values relating to these items.

Location

In Baseline CMS, this refers to a node in the Classification Tree where a specific Content Item or Storage Item may be assigned.

navigation

Refers to the architecture of a website displayed as navigational links. These links allow users to navigate through the various pages of a website. May also be refered to as a "menu."

Display Object

In Baseline CMS, this refers to an item, or set of items grouped by functionality, to be displayed within a Shell area of a web page. For example: a left column navigation menu would be considered a Display Object. This term may be shortened to "object" as in "home page object."

parent node

The level above a child node on a Classification Tree.

People

Anybody who interacts with - or has access to - your Baseline CMS, website, Extranet or Ebulletins.

Picker (as in Location or Storage)

A popup window that allows a Baseline CMS User to select either:

1. A Location or Locations on the Classification Tree where an item is to be displayed; or
2. A Storage Item for insertion into a piece of content.

Profile

Inf Baseline CMS, a content type that refers to people. Contains contact and biographical information.

Registrant

In Baseline CMS, a user who has created an account using the Order Desk.

search engine

May refer to either Baseline's own internal search engine for websites; or a search engine such as Yahoo or Google.

Shell

The display configuration or layout of a web page that determines the positioning of the display objects and content.

sitemap

A page with a hierarchical list of links contained within a website. It is generally used to aid user navigation as well as search engine optimization.

Storage

An area in the Baseline CMS Interface where graphics and other related files are managed.

Storage Item

A file found in Storage. Can be a Graphic, Flash movie or Document.

Subscriber

In Baseline CMS, this generally refers to a user who is subscribed to receive Ebulletins and may belong to a Distribution List.

template

Determines how information is assembled into a web page. The content and the layout of a web page can be stored separately in a database. When a user clicks on any link, Baseline CMS determines the template required, then retrieves the content for the page and sends it to the user's browser in the format specified by the template style. Baseline CMS templates are configured to display the main content in the body (or centre) of the web page. A template's configuration for a given web page is usually determined by the Shell, along with the Classification or Content type.

thumbnail

A small version of a display graphic, usually about 75 pixels in width and/or height.

upload

Transferring a file from a local computer to a web server.

URL

Stands for "Universal Resource Locator." Refers to the address where a website is found when entering it into the address bar of a web browser. Usually written in this format: http://www.your-domain-name.com

web page

A page that will display when someone accesses your website using a browser. Baseline CMS "generates" web pages dynamically when a user selects a specific link.

server or web server

Generally, a computer that runs a website; or a program that delivers web pages, applications and other specific data to the World Wide Web.

website

A collection of web-based documents - or content - that resides on a server at a given URL. Baseline CMS can manage multiple websites, each with its own unique URL, separate content, and distinctive look. It does this by selecting the appropriate Shell and template assigned to a given page.

wireframe

A graphic layout design used for pre-production that only outlines page elements and shows all functional areas of the website for various proposed templates.

workflow

Refers to the related, sequential stages of publishing and describes the movement of documents around an organization for purposes including sign-off, evaluation and performing activities in a process.