We've launched a parallel Web site called Sawmill where we will test technological improvements and experiment with design, all with your feedback. You can find it at sawmill.crosscut.com.
This parallel universe is running on all new technology. Right now it looks like the regular Crosscut (though it's not necessarily up to the minute, news-wise). But in the future you'll see changes and improvements on this test site before we move them to the regular Crosscut.com. First step is to test a new framework and a new platform, the Amazon cloud. Next week, we hope to have the main site running on this new framework, too.
Some background:
The regular site is now running on a content management system we've nicknamed Saratron, which was developed and customized for us by Crosscut's launch Web developer, Shawn Sutherland. It's based on free, open-source technologies — the PHP programming language, the MySQL database, and the Linux operating system. It's running on two virtual servers we rent. It has served us well for almost two years, but we're ready to rapidly expand.
The new system is also based on free, open-source technologies — the Python programming language, the Django Web framework, MySQL, and Linux. The modular foundation of Django makes it easier to modify functionality and appearance. Django is an increasingly popular technology in use by news Web sites including The Washington Post.
I'll let CTO Trevor Smith expound on the technical details, but in language we lay people can understand, we've essentially put a new engine in an older car. It's a behind-the-scenes switch that will enable us to make visible, rapid improvements as we move forward.
After a shakedown of the new technology on Sawmill, we'll switch the present Crosscut site to the cloud, too, possibly next week. Then we'll test all improvements and changes on Sawmill going forward, right before you very eyes. Sawmill won't be the most reliable place to get Crosscut content — it's our sandbox, might not always be running, and might not have the latest articles — but if you want to help us develop new tools for journalism, we invite you to drop in on Sawmill. And, of course, we welcome your feedback.
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