Today's Deep-Dive: Plone CMS

Welcome to another deep dive.

Today we're going to be looking at Plone, which is a content management

system or a CMS, and you know, the, I think of it like the engine behind a

website, the software that helps you create and manage all the content you

see, and, um, you know, we, we got some interesting material from you guys,

uh, for, for this deep dive, including some stuff from their main website and

even some behind the scenes stuff from their developer hub on GitHub.

But, you know, I gotta say, yeah, the name flown is a little bit quirky.

It is.

Yeah.

It's, um, definitely not the most common name.

It doesn't exactly scream, you know, like cutting edge software used by

universities and governments and stuff.

Right.

It's not very, um, very corporate sounding.

Exactly.

Yeah.

But, uh, well, maybe we'll find out why they chose that name.

Yeah.

But, um, first of all, you know, I was really struck by the fact that

plone has been around since 2001.

Oh, wow.

Yeah, that's, that's a long time in the tech world.

That's like an eternity in internet time.

It is.

Yeah.

It even predates, you know, giants like Facebook and YouTube.

Yeah, for sure.

That's, um, that's a testament to it's, I guess it's quality and

the community that's, that's behind it.

Well, and that, that brings us to kind of the next point, which

is that plone is open source.

Yes.

Now I know some people hear open source and they just think free.

Right.

But it's actually a lot more than that.

It is.

Yeah.

Open source really means that the code that makes plone work is publicly

available for anyone to see, examine, and even modify.

So it's really about transparency and collaboration.

Exactly.

Yeah.

Anyone can look at the code, see how it works and even contribute to making it

better.

So if you're a developer, you can actually like help make plone better.

Exactly.

Yeah.

But what about for somebody who's not a developer?

Right.

What does open source mean for somebody who just wants to build a website?

Yeah, that's a good question.

Well, one of the big advantages is that there's no vendor lock-in.

Okay.

With some software, you're tied to a specific company that controls the

pricing, the features, but with open source, you have more freedom and

control.

Okay.

You can host plone yourself, customize it to your needs, and you never have to

worry about being at the mercy of one company's decisions.

So you're not dependent on a company that might like suddenly change their

policies or jack up the price.

Exactly.

Yeah.

You have much more control over your own website and your own data.

I see.

And both the plone website and the GitHub information you sent mentioned

that a strong emphasis on security.

Yeah.

Security is a top priority for plone.

They even use the phrase security by design.

Right.

What does that mean exactly?

Well, it means that security is built into plone from the ground up.

It's not an afterthought.

Okay.

They've got features like granular permission controls, so you can manage

who has access to what information.

And that's, that's a big deal these days when data breaches are so common.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

You definitely want a CMS that takes security seriously.

Especially if you're dealing with like sensitive information.

For sure.

But you know, a system that's been around since 2001.

Yeah.

I mean, wouldn't it be a little outdated by now?

That's a great question.

And it's something a lot of people wonder about, but actually

plone is incredibly adaptable.

Okay.

They've kept up with all the latest technologies.

So they're not just like stuck in the past.

No, not at all.

They've actually managed to like evolve with the times.

Exactly.

They've done a great job of keeping plan modern and relevant.

So they can function like as a classic server side, rendered

website, or they can utilize a modern JavaScript front end with

something like react.

Yeah.

They can even be used as a headless CMS, which is pretty cool.

Okay.

Hold on a second.

We've got to break this down for those of us who aren't like, you

know, web developers, what are those terms actually mean?

Okay.

So imagine you're building a house, a classic website is like a

traditional house where everything is built in, but a modern website

using something like react is more like a modular home.

Okay.

You can rearrange the rooms, add new features, create a

more interactive experience.

So react allows for a more flexible and engaging website experience.

Exactly.

It's kind of like, you know, those websites where things move around

smoothly and update instantly without having to reload the entire page.

Exactly.

And the beauty of clone is that you have the choice.

Okay.

You can stick with the classic approach or use the latest front end

technologies.

So you're not limited to just one way of doing things.

Nope.

You have options.

But what about this headless CMS thing?

That sounds a little creepy.

I know, right?

It sounds kind of scary, but it's actually pretty cool.

Okay.

So what is it?

A headless CMS is like a powerful engine that you can connect to any type of

vehicle.

Okay.

So it provides all the backend functionality, like content management

security, but it doesn't dictate what the front end looks like.

So developers have complete freedom to build whatever kind of user

interface they want.

Exactly.

So clone is kind of like working behind the scenes and the developers

can focus on creating the user experience.

Yeah.

It's a really flexible approach.

That's really cool.

With all this power and flexibility, wouldn't clone be really complicated to use?

You'd think so, right?

But actually clone has a strong focus on usability.

They've designed it to be intuitive and user-friendly for both

developers and content editors.

So you don't need a PhD in computer science to figure it out.

No, definitely not.

It's designed to be accessible to a wide range of users.

That's a relief.

Yeah.

Before we move on, I want to remind our listeners that this deep dive

has brought you by safe server.

Oh, cool.

Experts in hosting and digital transformation.

Nice.

Um, they can help you with all your hosting needs and guide you through

the, you know, complexities of the digital world.

Sounds helpful.

You can learn more at www.safeserver.de.

Oh, right.

Now back to plan.

Okay.

It sounds like they've really thought of everything.

Security flexibility, usability.

Yeah.

They've got a pretty comprehensive platform.

But who's actually using this?

Well, you'd be surprised by the range of organizations that use Plone.

It powers websites for universities, government agencies,

businesses of all sizes.

Really?

Yeah.

Even individuals use Plone.

So it's not just for like, you know, sex savvy developers and giant corporations.

No, not at all.

It's designed to be accessible to everyone.

So Plone can handle like everything from a simple blog to a complex

website for a multinational corporation.

Exactly.

It's very versatile.

That's impressive.

Yeah.

One of the things that stood out to me in the material you sent was this

whole concept of open source.

Okay.

I know we touched on it briefly, but I think it's worth digging a little deeper.

Sure.

What are like the real world benefits of open source software for somebody

who might not be a tech expert?

Okay.

Well, one of the biggest advantages is transparency.

Okay.

With open source software like Plone, you can actually see the code.

Right.

You can understand how it works and be confident that there are no hidden back

doors or security risks.

So it's about trust and control.

They're not relying on a black box that you don't understand.

Okay.

So you're not just taking their word for it.

Right.

You can actually see for yourself how the software works.

Exactly.

Yeah.

You have much more insight into what's going on behind the scenes, but wouldn't

that level of transparency also make it easier for hackers to find vulnerabilities?

That's a common concern.

Yeah.

But the reality is that open source software benefits from having a much

larger pool of developers and security experts who can scrutinize the code

and identify potential issues.

So it's kind of like having thousands of eyes looking for problems.

Exactly.

Instead of just a few.

Right.

And this collaborative approach leads to faster identification

and resolution of vulnerabilities.

So the open source nature of Plone actually makes it more secure.

In a way, yes.

That's kind of counterintuitive, but I guess it makes sense when you think about it.

Yeah.

The more eyes you have on the code, the better.

But wouldn't having that many cooks in the kitchen make it difficult

to manage the development process?

That's where a strong community comes in.

Plone has a well-established governance structure and a dedicated community of

developers who collaborate very effectively to ensure that the software

evolves in a controlled and well-maintained way.

So it's not just a free for all where anybody can like make

changes however they want.

Right.

It's a structured and organized process.

Okay.

So there's a balance between openness and structure.

Exactly.

That's reassuring to know.

Yeah.

But, you know, I imagine that a system with so much history and such a large

community might be a bit daunting for newcomers.

Sure.

It can seem overwhelming at first.

So what kind of resources are available for people who are just

getting started with Plone?

Well, Plone has a ton of resources available for beginners.

Okay.

Including comprehensive documentation tutorials and a very active community

forum where you can ask questions and get help from experienced users.

So they've really made an effort to make Plone accessible to everybody.

Yeah, they really have.

Regardless of their technical background.

That's fantastic.

I think we've covered a lot of ground in this first part of our deep

dive into Plone.

Yeah, we have.

We've learned about its history, its open source nature, its focus on

security and its adaptability to modern web development.

It's a pretty impressive form.

It really is.

But before we dive further into the specifics of Plone's features and

capabilities, let's take a moment to kind of reflect on what we've learned so far.

Sounds good.

Welcome back to our deep dive into Plone.

Okay.

Now, before we move on, I want to circle back to something you mentioned earlier,

which is this whole idea of Plone being able to function as a headless CMS.

Right.

Headless CMS.

It sounds a little bit like something out of a sci-fi movie.

It does.

Yeah.

So what exactly does that mean?

Okay.

So imagine you have a restaurant with a fantastic kitchen that produces amazing

dishes, but instead of just serving those dishes in your own dining room, you

decide to partner with various food delivery services.

I see where you're going with this.

So Plone is like the amazing kitchen and the food delivery services are like the

different front end applications.

Precisely.

Plone as a headless CMS acts as the central hub for content creation, storage

and management.

Okay.

It provides the ingredients and the recipes, but it doesn't dictate how the

final dish is presented or served.

So developers can use Plone's backend to power a wide range of digital experiences.

Exactly.

Whether it's a website, a mobile app, or even something like a digital signage

system.

Right.

It gives developers a lot of flexibility and allows them to choose the best

tools for the job.

That's pretty powerful.

It is.

But wouldn't this approach also require a high level of technical expertise?

It's true that working with a headless CMS generally requires more development

experience than using a traditional CMS.

Okay.

However, Plone provides comprehensive APIs and documentation to make this

process as smooth as possible for developers.

So they've made an effort to make the headless experience more developer friendly.

Absolutely.

And remember the beauty of open source is that there's a vast community of

developers who are constantly sharing knowledge, creating tools, and

supporting each other.

Right.

The community aspect.

Exactly.

And that makes even complex tasks more manageable.

That's good to know.

It sounds like Plone has found a good balance between offering cutting edge

features for experienced developers while still being accessible to a broader

audience, but let's shift gears a bit and talk about the actual

experience of using Plone.

Okay, sure.

You know, we've talked about usability, but I'm curious, what's it actually

like to work with this system on a day-to-day basis?

One of the things that people often find impressive about Plone is its

intuitive content editing interface.

Okay.

It's designed to be user-friendly, even for those who aren't technically inclined.

So it's not like those old clunky CMSs.

No, not at all.

Where you need to know HTML code just to create a simple webpage.

Nope.

Plone provides what's called a W-Y-S-I-W-Y-G editor.

What does that stand for?

It stands for what you see is what you get.

It's basically like using a word processor.

Got it.

You can easily format text, add images, embed videos, and create links without

needing to write any code.

That sounds much more approachable.

Yeah, it's very user-friendly.

But what about things like managing website structure?

Sure.

Creating navigation menus, organizing content into different sections.

Right.

Well, Plone excels in those areas as well.

Okay.

It offers a very robust content organization system that allows you to

create folders, subfolders, and different content types.

So you can easily manage website navigation, create custom workflows

for content approval.

Exactly.

You can even schedule content to be published at a later date.

So it's not just about creating individual pages.

Right.

It's about managing the overall website architecture.

Yes.

And ensuring a smooth content creation and publishing process.

Precisely.

Plone provides the tools and flexibility to handle everything from small personal

websites to large complex enterprise level platforms with multiple editors

and content contributors.

That's impressive.

It sounds like Plone has really thought through the entire content lifecycle.

They have?

From creation to publication and beyond.

Yes.

But what about managing different versions of content?

Sure.

Version control.

You know, sometimes you make changes to a page and then realize you want to go

back to a previous version.

Right.

How does Plone handle that?

Well, Plone has a built in versioning system that automatically tracks all

changes made to content.

So you can easily compare different versions, restore previous versions, and

even roll back to a specific point in time if needed.

That's a lifesaver.

It is, yeah.

It's like having an undo button for your entire website.

I know how frustrating it can be to accidentally delete something or make a

change that you later regret.

Oh, for sure.

It's nice to have that safety net.

Absolute.

Version history gives you peace of mind.

Speaking of going back, I think it's time for us to revisit something we

discussed earlier.

Okay.

Plone's impressive 20 plus year history.

Right.

20 years and still going strong.

What are some of the key factors that have contributed to its longevity and

continued relevance?

Well, I think one of the most important factors is Plone's commitment to open

source principles.

Okay.

This has fostered a strong community of developers who are passionate about the

platform and dedicated to its ongoing development.

So it's more than just a piece of software.

It's a community driven movement.

Exactly.

And that community has been instrumental in ensuring that Plone remains adaptable

and up to date with the latest web technologies.

That makes sense when you have a passionate community constantly contributing ideas,

improvements and bug fixes.

Yeah.

It's much easier to stay ahead of the curve.

Absolutely.

But it's not just about the community, right?

No.

Plone itself must have some inherent qualities.

It does.

That have allowed it to stand the test of time.

Yeah.

I think one of Clones key strengths is its robust and well designed architecture.

Okay.

It's built on very solid foundations that have proven to be scalable,

secure and reliable over the years.

So it's not a Simsie structure.

No.

That's constantly needing to be patched and rebuilt.

Not at all.

It's a very solid foundation.

Okay.

That can evolve and adapt to new challenges.

So it can change with the times.

Precisely.

And this architectural strength has allowed Plone to adapt to the ever changing

landscape of web development.

Whether it's embracing new front end technologies like React or providing headless

CMS capabilities,

Plone has consistently demonstrated its ability to evolve without compromising its

core principles.

Like a chameleon.

Kind of, yeah.

That can change its colors while still retaining its essential identity.

Exactly.

But what about the future of Plone?

Yeah, good question.

I mean, the web is constantly evolving.

What are some of the trends and challenges that Plone will need to address in the

years to come?

One of the biggest challenges for any CMS, including Plone, is staying ahead of the

curve

when it comes to emerging technologies and user expectations.

Okay.

The web is becoming increasingly mobile first and users expect seamless experiences

across devices.

So Plone will need to continue to evolve to ensure that it remains a relevant and

compelling choice

for developers and content creators.

Absolutely.

In a world where mobile devices are king.

For sure.

And this means embracing new technologies, optimizing performance for mobile

devices,

and continuing to prioritize usability and accessibility.

It sounds like an exciting but challenging journey ahead.

It is.

But I have a feeling that Plone, with its strong community and adaptable

architecture,

is well equipped to navigate these challenges.

Yeah, I agree.

And continue to thrive.

I'm confident that it will continue to evolve and meet the needs of its users.

Well, it sounds like we've covered a lot of ground in this part of our deep dive.

We have.

We've explored the concept of a headless CMS,

delved into the user experience of working with Plone,

and even peered into the future of this remarkable platform.

It's been a fascinating discussion.

It really has.

And remember, this deep dive into the world of Plone is brought to you by SafeServer.

Oh, right.

Experts in hosting and digital transformation.

If you're looking for a reliable partner to guide you

through the complexities of the digital world,

be sure to check them out at www.safeserver.de.

Sounds good.

They can help you with all your hosting needs and much more.

Great.

Now let's take a moment to gather our thoughts before we

move on to our final reflections on Plone and what we've learned today.

OK.

We're back for the final part of our Plone deep dive.

And you know what?

I've got to say, I'm actually a little bit sad to see it end.

Yeah, it's been a really interesting journey, hasn't it?

It has.

I came into this knowing practically nothing about Plone.

Right.

And now I'm kind of blown away.

Yeah, it's a pretty remarkable platform.

It is.

If our listener had to walk away with just one key takeaway about Plone,

what would it be?

That's a good question.

I think the core of Plone is empowerment.

Empowerment.

Yeah.

It empowers developers to build custom solutions.

It empowers content creators to manage their websites effectively.

And it empowers organizations to control their own digital destinies.

And it's all made possible by Plone's open source nature, right?

Absolutely.

Open source is all about transparency, freedom from vendor lock-in,

and having a community of passionate individuals constantly improving

and evolving the platform.

It strikes me that even if someone isn't actively looking for a CMS right now,

there are still some valuable lessons to be learned from Plone's success.

I completely agree.

Understanding the benefits of open source, prioritizing security,

and usability fostering a strong community.

These are all principles that can be applied to any software project, really.

Whether it's for personal use or a large-scale enterprise system.

Exactly.

So even if Plone isn't the right fit for our listeners' current needs,

this deep dive has hopefully given them some valuable insights

into the world of software and the importance of choosing tools

that align with their values.

For sure.

And who knows, maybe one day they'll find themselves

needing a powerful, flexible, and secure CMS.

Yeah.

And they'll remember our conversation about Plone.

I hope so.

But before we wrap up, I want to give another shout out

to our sponsor, Safe Server, experts in hosting

and digital transformation.

Cool.

If you're looking for a reliable partner

to help you navigate the complexities

of the digital world, be sure to check them out

at www.safeserver.de.

Sounds good.

They can help you with all your hosting needs and much more.

All right.

Well, it's been a pleasure exploring

the world of Plone with you.

Likewise, been a great discussion.

And to our listener, keep learning, keep exploring.

just around the corner.

just around the corner.