phpWebSite is an extremely powerful web site management tool. Publishing information to the web using phpWebSite is easy, intuitive, and does not require technical skills. Keeping web site information current is simple using browser-based management. phpWebSite lets the user focus on what is important - the content, not the technology. The systems administrator will find that maintenance of even a very large number of sites is easy using a wide range of powerful tools. The look and feel of an entire site can be changed in a matter of seconds with only a few mouse clicks, and a wide variety of software modules allow for easy site customization without the need for unwanted or unused features. For the PHP developer, phpWebSite provides an ideal platform for rapidly developing sophisticated web-based applications. phpWebSite has a rich API - a full complement of powerful functions that ease development considerably. The goal of phpWebSite is to provide a flexible solution by following the premise that a module should do one thing very well and that all the modules should work together.

This manual is presented in three distinct volumes. The first volume is for the typical day to day user of the software. This volume contains information on how to use most of the core modules which comprise a minimal installation, as well as information on how to use the many modules that can be optionally installed. The instructions presented in this volume assume little or no technical expertise - any user familiar with a web browser should be at home here. This volume assumes you have a working copy of phpWebSite installed and access to the modules covered. The second volume contains information regarding how to install, upgrade, and maintain phpWebSite. The reader is assumed to be familiar with basic systems administration skills. A solid understanding of your operating system, database and web server is required. A working knowledge of PHP is helpful, but not required. The third volume is for the developer who wishes to write modules for phpWebSite. It fully discusses the phpWebSite API and covers the technical inner-workings of phpWebSite. A firm understanding of PHP and object oriented programing is required.

phpWebSite is free, open source software written and maintained by the Web Technology Group at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, USA. The Web Technology group is comprised of both University staff and upper level and graduate Computer Science students who provide web based software solutions for the Student Development Division of Appalachian State. phpWebSite was originally developed as a solution for managing web site content at the University and was released as open source software in an effort to share our work in a cooperative spirit. Those involved at the beginning of the project never would have guessed that phpWebSite would grow to become the immensely popular application it is today. The Web Technology group owes sincere thanks to the many external developers who took notice of the phpWebSite project and have volunteered an enormous amount of time and effort to the project. Our thanks also to the many who have chosen to use phpWebSite, your bug reports and good ideas for features are extremely valuable. Ultimately, phpWebSite is the work of a diverse community of many people across the globe - a tribute to the power of shared ideas within the commons.