I spoke with Evalynna on 7/11/00 about using Screaming Media (SM) as a content provider for WON. We need to examine the technical issues involved with a bare-bones basic implementation of SM's content delivery system as a complete replacement for the current WON. Once we've replaced the current WON, we can look at implementing some of the other features I'd like to see in WON. My contact with SM is Kenneth LaFreniere <KenL>, 212-691-7900. My understanding of the SM content delivery system is that there would be a Java-based component running on our end that (a) provides an interface for us to select and to some degree manage the content; and (b) communicates with the SM servers to retreive the selected content and deliver it into our Web system. The SM system can provide the content in three formats (plain text, HTML, XML) and has some database connectivity and the ability to inject the content directly into a database (Oracle is supported). Content would be hosted on Red Hat servers, *NOT* on SM servers (unlike HeadlineWatch.com, which hosts everything on their own servers). Obviously, that means some engineering work to get this system in place. It's with the understanding the Web engineering is overloaded that I'm requesting only a bare-bones implementation of SM at this time. My vision for WON is described in the overview document identified by the attached URL. Of significance at this point is that we will still need a WON content management system *IN THE FUTURE*, even on top of the content management system provided by SM, in order to add the value that will distinguish WON content from its competitors. Also, as WON is also a source of business intelligence for Red Hat, we'll need to have channels to both the public Web site and the internal intranet. This may affect the placement of the SM and WON content managers. At this point, we only need to look at the issues involved with replacing WON with SM. This is not a request to replace or change anything.
I spoke with SM on friday, and answered their questions. I agree, we need to keep the current WON content manager. I suggest that we use the SM engine to write out XML formatted docs and import them (automatically?) into wideopen. The only limitation I see is the ability to select related stories for a particular item, and controlling the placement on the home page.. Let's use this bug to track this project. -- move this to RAWHIDE once we enter beta -- move this to CURRENTVERSION once it's launched. thanks.