Abstract

Single sourcing through a content management system (CMS) is altering technical communication practices in many organizations, including institutions of higher education. Open source software (OSS) solutions are currently among the most popular content management platforms adopted by colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. The GPL license, ease of use, customizability, and the large, global user base of mature content management systems are among the reasons these organizations choose OSS to meet their CMS needs. This article reviews the literature on the effects of single sourcing on technical communication practice. It also explores issues of OSS adoption, both generally and in international contexts. Through a case study of an OSS CMS implementation at a mid-sized public college, the article examines important contributions technical communicators can make to the rollout of an OSS-based CMS.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2011-01-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.41.4.f
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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