Type A Learning Agency

Type A Learning Agency posts the first public release of Contemplate, its open source web templating system

CHICAGO (18 July 2003) - Type A Learning Agency is excited to announce the beta release of Contemplate 1.0, an open source web templating system that makes it easy for web developers to separate content from code.

As experienced developers know, this separation can streamline the website production process by allowing each team member to focus on what he or she does best. Sites built with Contemplate consist of HTML templates and client-side or server-side scripts, which web programmers maintain, and HTML or XML content files, which content editors maintain. Contemplate can then combine these elements in any combination to create the final web pages.

"Most web developers these days appreciate the advantages of separating content from code," says Arlo Leach, Type A's Director of Technology and the architect of the Contemplate software, "but many of them recreate this functionality from scratch for each site they build. Other teams buy content management systems that dictate what tools and technologies they can use to build their sites." Contemplate offers both the time savings of a reusable package, and standard file formats that work in conjunction with developers' preferred editing tools and server platforms.

Type A has been using earlier forms of Contemplate to build its own websites and e-learning courses since 1999, but this release marks the first time the company has offered the software to other developers. "Our decision to make Contemplate open source is another example of our commitment to empower our clients, put them in control of their sites, and make technology work for them rather than vice versa," says Anna Belyaev, Type A's CEO. Leach adds that the desire to participate in an open source community, where the software's users contribute ideas and improvements, also prompted the move from a proprietary tool to a free download.

Besides the core functionality of merging content into templates, Contemplate includes its own site statistics package, designed to meet the needs of a non-technical website owner, and a site "flattener" that can convert a dynamically assembled site to static HTML pages for offline browsing or CD-ROM delivery. Type A plans to add enhancements on a regular basis, starting with the final version of Contemplate 1.0 at the end of the summer.

Developers can download Contemplate from its home page at http://www.typea.net/software/contemplate.

CONTACT:

Anna Belyaev
Type A Learning Agency
312.274.9430
info@typea.net

About Type A Learning Agency LLC
Type A develops blended learning solutions that drive performance across the enterprise. The company offers custom e-learning development, consulting in learning services, and a line of off-the-shelf products. Type A is a privately held corporation and a certified Woman Business Enterprise.