There are a number of blogs that focus on configuring ( Create a Contributor group) the the Contributor Settings in SharePoint Designer 2007. It is not my intentions to provide the step by step to create and configure contributor settings.
Also, I can site a number of sites that clearly define the intentions of Contributor Settings (Introduction to Contributor Settings). In summary, the intent of the Contributor Settings is to control the use of SharePoint Designer on a site by site basis.
I am posting this blog to discuss the limitations of the Contributor Setting configurations and proposed work arounds. The fact that contributor settings are configurable on a site by site basis is not a great option in a number of site deployments. The fact that new sites are created within site collections at an alarming rate, is a compelling reason to ask for more of a centralized capability to set the contributor settings at the site collection level and to push it down throughout its namespace. In fact, it would be great to ensure that all sites across all web applications - scoped at individual sites - are dynamically configured with the required contributor settings.
The fact remains that Contributor Settings can only be set by using SharePoint Designer as the Site Manager. After the [contributorsetting].htm - generally named using the GUID of the site - is created, the [contributorsetting].htm can be added to a site template using the File element in the ONET.XML file.
But, in the event that Designers do not have access to the Web Front End (WFE) servers, adding the [contributorsetting].htm as a file element to the ONET.XML file, is not a viable option.
What we have found that adds some value for our SharePoint Designers - using SharePoint Designer 2007 - is that you can create a site - using the Browser or SharePoint Designer 2007 as a tool. After creating and customizing - it is titled Branding in some eyes - the site.
Once the site is customized, the Site Manager can create Contributor Groups and Region Types. After configuring the Contributor Settings, the Site Manager, Site Owner or Site Collection Owner - that all depends on the level of the site and the tools - Browser or SharePoint Designer - can save the site as a template.
To ensure that the save template(s) are used, the Site Collection Administrator or Site Owner can limit the template choices to the template(s) configured with the Contributor Settings.
The option presented is not the most centralized way to ensure the use of a consistent contributor settings across a number of sites within a site collection. But, it presents an option to ensure the authorized use of SharePoint Designer 2007 on each sub-site.
I hope that this helps.....