Geek-speak Alert!
Our site uses Drupal, a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS). A CMS typically stores different kinds of information items, e.g., menus, events, topics, stories, newsfeeds, sermons, blogs and forms in a database; it then applies a theme (via a template/style sheet) for fonts, colors, layout to generate web pages automatically. Other typical CMS: Joomla; WordPress (free hosting for WP subset).
Since the Drupal interface for updating the web site is entirely browser-based, it's relatively easy (once everything has been setup) for anyone (with the appropriate access role) to add/edit stories or events, add comments, or even administer the web site (change menus, appearance, modules, settings) -- just by filling out forms. No HTML (or programming) experience is required, though it does come in handy sometimes; those with CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), PHP (PHP Hypertext Preprocessor), JavaScript (jQuery, a JavaScript library), mySQL or graphic design experience could help us customize the site even more.
Drupal (and RVUUF's web administrator) generate standards-compliant HTML &; CSS is mostly compliant; some of these validation logos may be included in the page footer; see Browsers page for more acryonyms & jargon.
Although a lot of functionality comes built-in with Drupal, our site adds many (free) 3rd-party modules; many themes are available for page layout/appearance -- our site uses an "adaptive theme" which supports responsive web design, i.e., for many screen sizes, esp. tablets and smartphones.
We are currently using Drupal version 7.x in a multi-site configuration; recent updates to our site; when Drupal 8 and necessary modules become available and stable, we'll consider upgrading. Hostgator.com provides our certified green web hosting using Apache web server software.
E-mail lists are handled separately via Google Apps, for non-profits: Groups.
References:
- drupal.org
- Wikipedia: Drupal; Content Management System (CMS)
- Acquia: commercially supported Drupal
- InformationWeek: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started with CMS
- US WhiteHouse (yep, uses Drupal); background article
- videos: What is Drupal?; tutorials: GotDrupal
- OR State open source lab (Drupal)
- Drupal in So. Oregon
- So. Oregon Geeks
- LifeHacker. Best 5 Web Hosting Companies: Dreamhost; Hostgator; Bluehost; Linode; Small Orange
- Our New Front Door: How Congregational Web Sites Communicate Church Vision
- Church websites using Drupal (includes RVUUF)
- UUA: Creating a Congregation Website
- When to pick Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla or another web system?
- UUWiki: Websters
- Faith and Web blog: church web sites
- Geeks & God; blog: Matt Farina
- UU Resources: newsfeeds, blogs, audio, podcasts, video, social networks
- PNWD: Technology for Congregations
- Churches use Twitter
- Some search for church by way of the Web
- Can online communities take the place of offline religious life?
- Technology for the Masses: More and more, churches embracing use of iPads, smartphones during services
- Web Tools for Volunteer Management
- riseup.net email lists for activists




