Why TYPO3?
Need for a Content Management System
Web-empowering the Church requires the development of a large set of powerful web applications that can be readily obtained, configured, and deployed on individual church web sites. The technical foundation for making this possible is a common low-cost web framework. In this context, a framework is similar to the Microsoft Windows operating system except that it is for web applications. The framework manages usernames, controls access, stores the content, integrates web applications, and provides a common look and feel. It also allows web applications, called "extensions," to be readily added and removed. Web frameworks are commonly referred to as "Content Management Systems (CMSs)." The common framework for this effort is a CMS called TYPO3. TYPO3 is developed by a committed Christian in Copenhagen, Denmark named Kasper Skårhøj.
Selection Process
No selection of any software is perfect. Clearly TYPO3 is far from perfect, but it is critical that we make a choice. The main reason for selecting TYPO3 is that throughout the WEC effort we look for God's provisions and the leading of the Holy Spirit. TYPO3 was created by a Christian who writes "Whatever my creativity can produce is meant to honor God since he gave me my talent in the first place. For me that translates into the vision of giving my best through TYPO3 to the world." Through careful study and prayer, we believe TYPO3 is God's provision for a foundation to web-empower the church. Of course, if it is the right choice then physical facts will affirm it. Here are some other reasons TYPO3 is a good choice:
Content Entry: A common bottleneck to keeping church websites up to date is the availability of the person maintaining the website. TYPO3 offers an access control capability and a simple Microsoft Word-like editor that can allow ministries throughout the church to update their own content using just a web browser. In addition, updates can be held pending approval if that is desired. This is critical to maintaining an excellent church website.
Multi-Lingual: WEC wants to impact the world for Jesus Christ. This requires the built-in TYPO3 multi-language capability. In addition, the core TYPO3 software, training, and extensions already support many different languages.
Extension Installation: WEC needs to provide new/upgraded Ministry Extensions that can be easily incorporated into an existing church website without needing a person with special technical expertise. TYPO3's concept of an extension, an on-line extension repository, and the ability to download and install extensions provides this capability. Extensions can also be uninstalled.
Templates: Churches need template-based websites to establish and change the look and feel of their websites with minimal effort. TYPO3 offers a template capability the is very versatile and does not force all websites to look alike.
Hosting Options: WEC desires a solution that offers a wide variety of hosting options. With TYPO3 churches can use "turnkey" hosting companies that provide TYPO3 hosting; they can host on a dedicated server at a hosting company; or they can host on a computer at their church. In addition, TYPO3 runs on most common web servers. And, when there is a need to move to a new server computer, TYPO3 can export the database and then import it onto another computer.
Free: The goal is to provide all Web-Empowered Church software, training, and documentation to churches at no cost. TYPO3 is free via an open-source General Purpose License (GPL). In addition, it can run on web servers that run Linux (or Microsoft Windows), Apache (the web server software), MySQL (the database software), and PHP (the web server scripting software). These four software components together are known as "LAMP." With TYPO3 running on a LAMP-based computer, a fully-capable web server can execute the framework without any cost to acquire any software. All the software is open-source -- available for free, including source code.
Highly-Capable: TYPO3 is extremely powerful. This allows WEC to become extremely powerful because it will not be limited by underlying support from TYPO3. However, as with any sophisticated system, TYPO3 can be challenging to use. As a result, WEC will be providing additional support in various ways to help make TYPO3 easier to use.
Note: Even though it is possible, WEC has no plans or desire to create a special WEC version of TYPO3. This is known as a "fork" and it often dilutes open source efforts. On the contrary, WEC fully supports the great work Kasper and the TYPO3 community are doing. And they remain on our prayer list. In addition, WEC plans to remain compatible with future versions of TYPO3. May God continue to bless their efforts.
