Web Management Systems - which MS SharePoint server?

Hi all

Please guide me to the correct / more appropriate news group should this one
be incorrect - would be appreciated.


I'm hoping someone could be kind enough and assist a newbie CMS developer
(very Nuub) and point me in the right direction re which MS products I
actually need to create web content managed sites for my clients. My
requirements are really rather basic and are based around the traditional
Author/Designer model.

The Designer (me in most cases) builds the overall web layout to the
client's requirement and adds features to allow the client's authors to
upload content to include text, images + video via a browser with no
required web design knowledge.


I'm keen to begin evaluating Office SharePoint Designer 2007 to see how web
management can be included into sites, but even after Googling and reading
for several hours I just can't seem to find the right info required amongst
the raft of MS SharePoint products.

MOSS 2007 offers WCM and MUCH more, but from what info I've found costs 20K
GBP per Internet server! Ouuuch.

I'm in the process of installing MOSS on a W2K3 Server within a VPS but the
cost is prohibitive, assuming I've read the licensing correct and the cost
is actually 20K GBP and so probably not worth continuing or beginning to
experiment.


So my questions are:

1. What are the minimum server software requirements for Office SharePoint
Designer 2007 such to support design of web content management sites only.


SharePointDesigner 2007 (SPD) + MOSS? Obviously the recommended but
possibly far to expensive.
SPD + WSS3? No idea on cost saving
SPD 2007 + WSP2? Possibly not supported, no idea on cost

2. Cost of licensing supporting server software, per server (excluding W2K3
server etc.)

3. Are there any good alternative open source GUI based (like SharePoint
Designer) WMSs meeting my WCM requirements? - please don't flame me.... it
has to be asked !

4. Most appropriate SQL 2K5 database licensing method for inexpensive and
small user base. SQL 2K5 Express/Embedded/Full?


Your comments would be gratefully received
Lea
__________________



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