BeeBox is an open source application for the development of Community portals

The BeeBox architecture allows multiple authors to submit content. The system further allows multiple administrators who can validate submitted content prior to publication (see below). The system uses easy WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interfaces for content input.

The dynamic content management system used by BeeBox enables visitors to easily see what is new in the site as the homepage lists new items added in the different categories. Content is organized in the site by ‘categories’ defined by editors and administrators. Under a category sub-categories can be defined. Content within a category or sub-category is then either textual content, reference to e-documents, reference to web sites, reference to discussion for a category, or reference to an activity (calendar item). In addition registered users receive email alerts on newly added (and validated) content.

 BeeBox is based upon open source technology including mySQL and PHP. As such IOC can offer the solution free of charge. BeeBox is currently being used for various IOC and IOC/IODE web sites, all hosted in Paris. IOC/IODE will continue to further develop the solution and will provide support to other ‘clients’.

BeeBox uses the ‘knowledge type’ concept: information can be of different types: it can be text (like an ordinary web page), a ‘link’ to another web site, an ‘activity’, an e-document; or a discussion forum. This structure is available for any category. In addition BeeBox allows cross-links between categories. BeeBox can handle unlimited numbers of categories and sub-categories.

Another core function of BeeBox is the ‘alert’ and ‘subscribe’ functions. The alert function makes that all registered members will automatically receive an email alert message whenever new content is added to the site. This is a really important feature increasing ‘repeat visitors’ spectacularly. The ‘subscribe’ function is very similar to the ‘alert’ function but will enable members to decide themselves for which categories they wish to receive an alert. This will be useful when the site gets large and/or the content becomes very varied.