Webmaster’s Workshop: October 2007
- Update on Cascade Server
- When can I use Cascade?
- So what do I do in the meantime?
Images, Links, Text
- Update on e-Commerce project
Still have questions? We have a page to provide answers to a few of our Frequently Asked Questions.
Update on Cascade Server
The following screen-shots show you the development and use of PSA/CAFLS templates in Cascade Server. There are a few features that are still in development; however, we wanted you to see the progress we have made. In respect for your time and with the understanding that not everyone is at the same level in terms of web development, it is our intention to make these templates as close to fill-in-the-blank as possible.
(This is what we shared with those who attended the October workshop. We have provided these screen shots and descriptions for your information only...this is NOT intended to replace the training you will receive from CCIT.)
The following image is a screen-shot of a new web page being built in Cascade Server. This is the page view any time a page is built or edited in Cascade.
Notice that you do not see any colors, images, menu/navigation, backgrounds, etc. That is because the page layout and styles which are associated with this page (its "look & feel") are not necessary in content management. They are attached to this file when saved and your page "comes together" when it is published.
A. Metadata
1. Breadcrumb title
2. Browser window title
3. Page description and key words
B. Banner image selection
Browse for image from a folder of images and department/program identification
Select from a drop-down menu (putting knowledge to work" in this example)
C. Content area
This is a view of content the WYSIWYG editor in Cascade Server.
D. "Page maintained by"
Fill in name and email of the person responsible for the information on this page (required)
E. "Submit"
Save the file you just created
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The following image is a screen-shot of the information submitted above as viewed in Cascade Server's "Layout" view. This provides a "preview" of how that page will look in the browser window before publishing it (making it live). You see how all of the "hidden" attributes come together.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This final screen-shot shows how that same page will look when someone sees your page in their browser (the "live" page view).
When Can I Use Cascade?
The timeline for PSA/CAFLS clients using Cascade Server is driven by the folder structure. We have access to 3 university folders: PSA, CAFLS, and Extension. All clients must fit into ONE of these 3 folders. The home pages for each folder must be published in Cascade Server before any sub-units can be published.
Therefore, this is the initial timeline* for publishing:
Nov/Dec '07
PSA top level site: http://www.clemson.edu/publicNov/Dec '07
Regulatory Services: Division home site & all department sitesMarch '08
CAFLS: college page only, not departments/programsApril '08
Extension: All state and county level pages
* The above dates are subject to change.
There are planning committees in place to assist the web team in developing the site architecture for each of the above sites.
1. OWS Permission
Clemson University Office of Web Services has established 2 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: CCIT provided
We are working with the CCIT Cascade Server trainer, Carmen Bradley, on using PSA/CAFLS templates for training our webmasters (you). In the future, there will be classes listed for on-line registration that specify "Cascade Server training for PSA/CAFLS". Training is approximately 1.5 hours, on-campus, with 10-15 seats each session. While you can attend training at any time, you will have nothing to access when you log into Cascade until we create a folder for you. We will notify you when we have completed the 4 sites above and are ready for you to attend training.
Note to Extension and other off-campus employees (Cascade users): If you are close proximity to Clemson, you will be asked to attend on-campus training. For all others, we are working with Fran Wolak and Carmen Bradley to establish training opportunities for all off-campus Clemson employees.
3. A folder for you in Cascade
When the PSA/CAFLS templates are completed, you have completed training, and OWS has activated your user ID in Cascade Server, we will create a folder for you. 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, this is the only folder they will see.
So what do I do in the meantime?
Here are some resources to help you work on your content NOW as we work on redesigning the top-level sites.
There are 3 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 2 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.
Update on E-Store Progress
The e-store planning committee has selected the software, and it is installed on a development server. Changes are being made now to customize the look and feel, as well as the functionality. We have a few more functional changes to make and then test the operation. We are also waiting for a mall owner (CEO) to be assigned.
In the meantime, here are a few screen shots to help you understand how and what we are developing.
Home page of the PSA Online Shopping Mall:
The next screenshot is the home page of a "store" in the mall. This is a sample for the S.C. Botanical Garden. Notice the logo and contact info in the top left corner, with a link to the Garden’s homepage.
View of how you can sort Mall contents by category:
A view of the pagewhere store owners (publishers) will be editing/adding product information (software is Zen Cart):
Page maintained by: Walker Massey, emassey@clemson.edu