The Web Developers Users' Group met on September 7, 2004, at 2:30 PM in the Parliamentary Room, PSU 313.

Introduction to Missouri State web development

Sara Clark, Missouri State Web Coordinator, presented a introduction to developing web content at Missouri State. Her presentation mentioned the following items:

• Anyone that needs to edit the web site should be given access with their user ID and password.
• To get someone access to a web site use the Web Resource page.
• Please do not share your password with anyone

Accessibility

• Official web pages must be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.
• Requires certain web development practices be used, such as adding text equivalents for images.
• For more information and training refer to the Web Access Compliance Team site.

FrontPage is the recommended web editor

• Available for free for computers owned by the University. Contact the Help Desk at extension 65891 for installation information.
• Available for home use to faculty and staff technology users through the E-Academy site.
• Available to students at discounted prices through the bookstore - ask about licenses.

Why FrontPage?

• Discounted software through Microsoft
• Support is available
• FrontPage extensions are already installed on the University's web servers which allows for additional capabilities such as email forms and some automated dynamic capabilities.

Other development options

• The web server allows any time of development software such as Dreamweaver and GoLive.
• We cannot provide technical support for other software because of limited resources.
• If you are going to be using FTP to publish your site refer to the Web Resource Center's FTP support page for proper settings.

Training

• Staff training is available through Human Resources Training
• Faculty training is available through Continuing Education's Faculty Development in Educational Technology site.
• Student training is available through the Computer Services Training site.

Support

• Faculty and staff can receive support by calling the Computer Services Help Desk at extension 65891.
• Students can receive support at the open-access computer labs in Cheek 150, Glass 234 and Strong 100.
• Support options for everyone include:
  • Open lab hours provided by Web Services in Carrington 110 on each Wednesday from 2-4pm.
  • Email the Web Coordinator
  • Support documentation is available at the Web Developer Resource Center

Web Style Guide

• Contains guidelines and recommendations for University web pages.
• Requirements include:
  • Include reference and link to Missouri State homepage
  • Include correct footer information
  • Use correct colors
  • Use appropriate title
  • Follow logo usage guidelines and web policy

Templates

• Are strongly recommended as it helps web visitors better understand your web site
• Are required in some areas by the Vice President
• To see choices and request a template refer to the Template site.

Logos

• Several logos are available for use within web sites:
  • Centennial logo
  • Recruitment logo
  • Carrington logo
• To download logos refer to the Style Guide Graphics page

Photos

• Need to have photo releases
• Some photos that already have releases are available and sized for the templates in the Photos page

Staging site

• Staging sites allow web developers to create a web site in a non-production environment
• For details or to request a stating site refer to the Staging Site page. (Achieved)

Statistics

• Web reports are run monthly for Missouri State web sites on the centralized servers.
• To see your reports:
  • Access the Logs web site
  • Select your URL (select http://www.missouristate.edu/ if your site begins with that address)
  • Select the month for the report
• More information is available at the Web Stats page.

Finding web developers

• Web job vacancies can be made during WDUG meetings
• Look for those with a good computer background
• All new developers should attend training to learn FrontPage and accessibility techniques used at the University.

Web Services

• Develops web sites and forms for University departments on a charge-back basis
• Good when programming is needed
• For more details refer to the Web Services web site.

Training opportunities

• Faculty Development in Instructional Technology workshops include courses on planning a website, FrontPage, Blackboard and several other topics. For more details see their course schedule. The training is free and open to faculty.
   
• Staff Professional Development workshops include courses on Photoshop, FrontPage and several other topics. See the training registration page for more details. The training is free and open to staff.
   
• Making Your Web Pages Accessible to Everyone
  Thursday, September 30, 2004, 2-4 PM
  Friday, October 15, 2004, 9-11 AM
  Friday, November 5, 2004, 2-4 PM
  Thursday, December 2, 2004, 9-11 AM
  The training is free and open to students, faculty and staff.
   
• Computer-based training
  Web-based training courses
  The training is free and open to students, faculty and staff.

Web Developer Openings

Missouri State Relay for Life is currently searching for a student web developer. Interested developers should contact Cynthia Fiedler.

Next meeting

The next WDUG meeting will be held in the Parliamentary Room, PSU 313, on September 22, 2004, at 3:00 PM. Heather Moulaison will give a presentation on copyright issues as they relate to the web.