The publishing features of Expression Engine are highly flexible comprehensive and broad as they separate the users’ channels into pages that are independent as well as being able to put on the same page a number of channels. Each and every section has distinctive pair of entry fields and it comes with URLs that do not have query strings but contrary to this just replicate the static sites’ directory structure. Multiple categories have entries assigned to them, and one can create category groups as preferred. EE has the RSS meaning content can be availed for syndication. More publishing features that come with EE include Moblog Publishing, relationship creation between entries, Multi-Entry Editing, Entry view tracking, Ping servers among others (Murphy 2010, p. 12-13).
Expression Engine has a commenting system for end users that accommodate community participation on discussed issues. There is a built in commenting system that is quite reliable. Its typography has complex tools that come with Auto Typographic Formatting, Auto Convert MS Word Character conversion to HTML equivalents, Automatic Linking that converts comments and URLs posted entries as well as having a Typographic Plugin Support.
EE is powered to assist a user keep track on site happenings such as viewing comments found in posts. It has a template engine that assists users create websites that are content driven and dynamic through Full Page Modeling, use of conditionals, being able to come up with own variables that any template can use together with limiting the viewing to specific groups of members (p.13). With a Multi-Protocol Support system, flexible email options and other features, EE enables users manage mailing lists as well as send email in various ways( Ibid).
One characteristic of the Expression Engine is that its search engine is quite powerful. The search module has a search capability that is simple as well as advanced making it possible to search through categories, weblogs etc.
Another characteristic of EE is its ability to provide many tools in its publishing platform thus being able to avert trackback spam as well as comments. To perform this function it has a Blacklist module in its spam prevention program that permits one to point out IP addresses or URLss they would wish to blacklist or whitelist on the site. A Captcha, which is a test that is computer-generated, when enabled it checks the automated scripts or ‘bots’ creation (Ibid).
The Expression Engine assists users manage their sites with its powerful utilities. The SQL Manager, Extension Manager, Admin Logs, capacity to search and replace weblog content, capability to export templates to the database and the availing of information from its control panel about users PHP installation are some of its characteristics that make it stick out.
One other characteristic of EE is that it possesses over a hundred plug-ins, and a total of twenty-two add-modules. Some include the Discussion Forum that is a community building solution, the Moblog through which a user can send content on their site via mail, THE Wiki, Channel, Member Manager not forgetting Simple Commerce Modules add to this feature.
The Expression Engine is capable of building a flexible and robust member capability through the use of its Multi-User System. Particular privileges can be granted to each member thus customizing what a user can permit their end users to do (Boyink 2010, p.18). This can be achieved also through Member Groups, Custom Member Fields, Profile Management, among others that the system avails.
Other characteristics of Expression Engine include its data caching capacity that permits one to keep to a minimum server load while maintaining the privileges of information being dynamically generated as well as its outstanding security features achieved through session management systems, Secure Form Processing, its ability to generate captcha images and so on(Ibid) .