An SSL, or Secure Socket Layer, is technology that has been developed that allows web browsers and web servers to communicate over a secured connection.

The system uses cryptography that uses two keys to encrypt data  a public key known to everyone and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message. It’s a way to encrypt data, like credit cards numbers (as well other personally identifiable information), which prevents the "bad guys" from stealing your information for malicious intent.

The recently introduced SSL v3 improved upon SSL v2 by adding SHA-1 based ciphers, and support for certificate authentication. SSL v2 was known to be flawed in a variety of ways. Identical cryptographic keys are used for message authentication and encryption. The older version did not have any protection for the handshake, meaning a Man-in-the-middle downgrade attack could go undetected.

SSL has recently been succeeded by Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is based on SSL and is included as part of both the Microsoft and Netscape browsers and most Web server products. SSL uses the public-and-private key encryption system from RSA, which also includes the use of a digital certificate.

SSL-enabled client software can use standard techniques of public-key cryptography to check that a server's certificate and public ID are valid and have been issued by a certificate authority (CA) listed in the client's list of trusted CAs. Client authentication allows a server to confirm a user's identity. It’s a way to assure a client that they are dealing with the real server they intended to connect to. It can prevent any unauthorized clients from connecting to the server, preventing anyone from meddling with data going to or coming from the server.

From the very beginning SSL was designed to provide security between client and server, and to avoid any kind of 3-way man-in-the-middle attack.

Conceptually it’s quite simple: it negotiates the cryptography algorithms and keys between two sides of a communication, and establishes an encrypted tunnel through which other protocols (like HTTP) can be transported. It can also be easily passed through firewalls and proxies, as well as through NAT (Network Address Translation) without issues.

First of all, what is a Content Management System?

A Content Management System, or CMS for short, is an application designed to facilitate the creation and management of content.

So, do you need a CMS?

Whether or not you may need a CMS solution depends on the size of your website, the amount of traffic you receive, your skills as a webmaster, the number of users who will be adding content to the website, and many other factors.

Website Size

The content of a large website can be very difficult and tedious to maintain if a content management system is not used. Most CMS solutions will store the content in a database in an organized fashion. The administration interface of the CMS should provide an easy way to manage the content.

On the other hand, a CMS solution for a small website may be overkill. A website with a small number of pages is easy to maintain, but may need a content management system solution as it grows.

Website Traffic

The amount of traffic a website receives can be a significant factor in deciding whether or not to use a CMS. Static html pages have always been the fastest loading, whereas dynamic pages need to be compiled or pull information from a database. The processing behind these operations can add time to the loading of the page. It is important to consider the amount of processing that takes place behind the scenes in a content management system. Fortunately, there are many lightweight CMS solutions these days for high traffic websites.

Webmaster Technical Skills

A content management system can be an easy solution for a webmaster who lacks the necessary skill set to create their own website. Most CMS solutions contain a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor. The editor allows for the creation of website content without HTML or other website specific knowledge.

There are many templates available which can be easily installed in many content management systems. Some of these templates are free and some come with a small cost. Another solution to creating the look for your website would be to hire a website designer. This can come with a significant cost, but you'd be getting the exact look and feel you want for your website.

Website Users

In many situations, a website will have more than one content provider. In this case, it may be beneficial to consider a content management solution, as a good CMS system will have the ability check in and check out content. The purpose of check in and check out is to prevent more than one user from editing the same content at the same time. Multiple users on a static website can create many problems with content updates without the help of a CMS system.

Conclusions

There are certainly other factors to consider in whether or not to use a content management system, but hopefully the information contained above will help you in making an informed decision.

Making your web site easy for international visitors to understand is what website internationalization is all about. There are times when differences in vocabulary may crop up. This can even happen across different industries in the same country.

One of the ways you can help your readers is to start a Glossary.

In your glossary you can list industry specific words and all words you use commonly where others may not have the exact same understanding. If you explain a process in your communication, think of including verbs in your glossary.

The key to making your glossary work for you is to strive for accuracy, clarity, and ease of understanding.

Accuracy

In some cases a lack of accuracy can have devastating effects.

• In health issues.
• In reference to using machinery.

Clarity

A glossary's aim is to give a clear meaning to the words you use. Keep your explanations as clear as possible. If they only lead to further misunderstandings or do not answer the readers questions, you would be better off without one.

Ease Of Understanding

Keep your glossary very easy read and people will enjoy reading it. Pay attention to the general appearance of the glossary as a whole as well as the individual explanations.

An Added Value

After ready through a well done glossary, the reader may well come away feeling appreciative of the easy to read informative experience. It is a wonderful touch of thoughtfulness to your international visitors.

Non-native English speakers will greatly appreciate its value.

Prepares For Translation

A glossary is highly recommended in certain industries where specific vocabulary requires expert translations.

In some instances some people feel they can take a dictionary out and provide translations of key vocabulary in languages other than their mother-tongue. This can lead to further misunderstandings. A glossary well done is far better than taking on translation skills when you do not have them.

However, your glossary will be of significant value to a professional translator once you decide to offer multilingual services.

Glossaries are also appreciated in non-technical areas too. Cultural habits differ. People can use vocabulary differently. Glossaries provide insight into how you communicate and provide a base for cross-cultural dialogue.