Overview

Why would you want to customize the Web Author? Well, by customizing the Web Author, you can effectively change the workflow within CMS, change the rights of CMS user roles, or even change the functionality of CMS.

For example, if you remove the Submit option when a CMS author logs in, you have changed the way that the CMS workflow works. Now, instead of authors submitting changes, editors would have to do so. Along the same lines, if you remove the Move option when an author logs in, then you have effectively changed the rights of the CMS author role. If you add a link that allows an author to e-mail an editor, then you have changed the functionality of CMS. In many cases, altering the Web Author is the only way to make such customizations. Having a strong understanding of the Web Author architecture is vital if you want to take advantage of its potential.

There are innumerable reasons why you might choose to alter the Web Author console. Because of this, it is not possible for Microsoft to build all your desired features into the product. Instead, they must provide a flexible platform that allows you to make the required changes. The Web Author offers this flexibility. As you will see in this chapter, it is possible to make many types of customizations to both the appearance and the functionality of the Web Author.