FAQ : Cascade Server (content management)
What is Cascade Server?
Do I have to use Cascade Server?
How much will this cost and where do I buy it?
When can I use Cascade?
What do I need to do to get ready to use Cascade?
How do I get all of my current Web site content into Cascade Server?
Who is going to load (move) all of my content into Cascade?
Will I still have to be responsible for EVERYONE's pages/content?
Can I use Cascade to edit my "people.clemson.edu/~userid" web space?
What is Cascade Server?
Cascade Server (or Cascade) is the product name of a web-based content management system (CMS) developed by Hannon Hill to support the creation and maintenance of Clemson University web sites. It is a folder-based, web development tool that is available to any CU employee via the Internet...from anywhere that you have an Internet connection.
Read Wikipedia's definition of a CMS.
Do I have to use Cascade Server?
No. The following top-level websites have been migrated to Cascade:
- Public Service Activities (plus many units as well)
- Regulatory Services (Division and all departments)
- College of Agriculture, Forestry, & Life Sciences (College-level only and most departments are using Cascade or are in the process of migrarting content)
- Cooperative Extension (state website and all 46 county sites)
It is likely that with these top-level sites using Cascade Server, the sub-units, departments, and programs will be expected to follow suit.
We are now a web team of three people and are working very hard on preparing Cascade for you. We do not have the resources to continue supporting Dreamweaver, Front Page, Contribute, or other web development tools. However, you are welcome to use the Dreamweaver templates we created earlier, if you choose.
Read what Clemson University Office of Web Services (OWS) has to say about this question.
How much will this cost and where do I buy it?
Cascade has been purchased by the University and is available to any authorized University employee at no charge!
When can I use Cascade?
The timeline for PSA/CAFLS clients using Cascade Server is driven by the system's folder structure. We have access to three folders: PSA, CAFLS, and Extension. All clients must fit into ONE of these three folders. The home pages for each folder must be published in cascade server before any sub-units can be published.
1. Accessing Cascade
Clemson University Office of Web Services has established two requirements for using Cascade Server:
1. Users must be CU employee (on payroll, no students or volunteers)
2. Users must attend training before access is given (your Clemson UserID and password will be your log-in for Cascade Server)
2. Training: Online training now available!
Follow the above link to learn more about new Cascade Server online training opportunities.
3. A folder for you in Cascade
We will create a sub-folder folder for you in either the CAFLS, PSA or Extenison folder. For example a "bio_sci" sub-folder will be developed in the CAFLS folder for the department of Biological Sciences. When the Bio Sci webmaster logs into Cascade Server, the CAFLS folder is the only folder is the only one they will see.
What do I need to do to get ready to use Cascade?
Here are some resources to help you work on your content NOW as we work on redesigning the the top-level sites.
There are three key things to consider when updating/preparing your web site content: Images, Links, and Text...oh my!
Images
A lot of images (or even one very large image) can make a web page "heavy". This makes the site visitor have to wait for the web site to load. Also, remember that there are people with visual disabilities who regularly use the web; don't forget their needs as well. Here are a few tips/resources for creating a positive and productive visitor experience.
Be sparing with images and illustrations on your site
Only use images that are required to convey information
Use “web-friendly” images
When you use an image straight from your camera and "make it smaller" with the web software (i.e., inside Dreamweaver's editor) the browser has to download the original image (the HUGE one) and then shrink it to the size you intend it to be. This takes a long time for the page to load. If you want the image to be a "thumbnail" on the web page - make it a thumbnail in a photo editor...then place the thumbnail in the page design.
Read more on File Size, File Formats & Color Mode.
Alternate text is a must!
This NOT optional; it is a federal accessibility requirement (section 508).
Read more on Alt Tags
CCIT has additional information that outlines the section 508 standards:
http://ccit.clemson.edu/resources/accessibility/Section508Web.php
You will need some kind of photo-editing software to prepare images for web use (software like PhotoShop, Fireworks, etc.). This software will give you a lot of options for editing but requires you to buy a license. There is a free resource for photo management and basic image manipulation (adequate for basic web developers). PC users with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP and IE 5.0+ can download "Picasa" FREE.
Links
It is important that you consider two things about links on your site:
Are the Links accurate?
For those of you who are not planning to build something completely new and wish to migrate your current site content into Cascade Server, please make sure your links are accurate:
- Does the link still go to the page you intended it to...or has that URL changed now to an unrelated organization?
- Does the URL still exist...or will the visitor get a "404 page not found" notification?
- Has the owner of that site changed the information and it is no longer accurate - or maybe they've NOT changed it and their content is out of date?
- Do you really want to send your visitors there anymore?
To discover broken or missing links on your site, please read what we've prepared for you about link validators.
...but in order to determine answers to the other questions the link needs to be verified by a human being. While this is time consuming (clicking on every link and confirming its contents), a critical link audit will ensure that you are giving accurate information to the public.
Does the user know what they are getting?
How many times have you clicked on a link and your Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, or Quicktime Player is launched? This can be very confusing (not to mention frustrating if your site visitor is on dial-up...yep, they're still out there). Read more on Links & Downloads.
Text
Who, What, Why on home page
When the visitor comes to your site for the first time, it is important that you make it clear to them who you are, what you do and why they should care. These do not need to be paragraphs of information. In fact, a more impactful solution would be to have a few upcoming events, some recent news, a success story, and images. Your home page should be short and to the point, inviting and informative.
Avoid listing links or images without a description
It is important that each page has text to optimize search engine effectiveness. There does not have to be a lot of text. An example would be an introductory sentence or two on a page with a map. This will ensure that site visitors know what they are looking at, screen readers can explain the images or links, and search engines can recognize key words.
Read more on outlining your site architecture, writing for the web, and search engine optimization.
How do I get all of my current Web site content into Cascade Server?
All pages are built using the Cascade Server content management system. You will migrate your current (or new) site's content by copying the text from the browser (or text file), and pasting it into the appropriate field in Cascade. We do not have the ability to automatically "move" all of your current pages into Cascade.
Who is going to load (move) all of my content into Cascade?
Sometimes we have student emkployees available to assit our team. But in most cases you, the content owner, are the one building the site. This software has been modified to provide all users with a fill-in-the-blank template. With 2-3 hours of training, you will have all the information you need to build your own web site.
Will I still have to be responsible for EVERYONE's pages & content?
No. This web editing product offers the freedom of loading content without the worry of the look-&-feel of the page (colors, banners, backgrounds, positioning, etc.). Without conflicting with any internal business processes or position descriptions already in place, each faculty or staff member will be able to load their own content. There is no need for department webmasters to create pages and add content for everyone as new pages are created. However, the department webmasters will play a vital role in leading efforts to update content and place it in Cascade as the system is implemented, and in coaching faculty and staff in how to use the system effectively.
Can I use Cascade to edit my "people.clemson.edu/~userid" web space?
No. Cascade Server does not access the protected pages that are on the "people.clemson.edu" spaces. However, there is a work-around. You can build a folder or page in an appropriate folder you manage (such as insitde a folder named "staff") and make that your "home page".
By default, the University's phone book is establlishe to display your ~uerid web space. You can change your profile in Clemson's phone book to direct visitrs to your newly created page.
[Read how to change your CU on-line Phonebook setting here]