Web Services http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/ Washington and Lee University en Copyright 2007 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:45:07 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.32 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss What We Do Washington and Lee University Web Services (WLWS) provides strategic planning, systems administration, programming, application development, content development and training in support of Washington and Lee’s Web initiatives. The WLWS responsibilities focus on the availability and support of Web applications and services linked to from www.wlu.edu.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001425 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001425 About Us Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:00 -0500 Why a CMS? BENEFITS FOR SITE ADMINISTRATORS/CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

Software & Support
  • No desktop software to learn
  • Interface optimized for non-technical users
  • Broad access to technical support
    • Multiple support persons
    • Toubleshooters will have instant access to files from remote locations
    • Identifiable tasks allow for creation of online help and self-paced tutorials

Workflow

  • Built-in workflow management and approval processes
  • Notification of outdated pages and links
  • Web interface allows for remote site updates

Functionality

  • University template structure provides ability to pre-populate pages and automate processes to incorporate content from University data sources
  • Access to tools such as broadcast e-mail and simple forms
  • Separates content from presentation:
    • Allows quick changes in graphic identity and layout
    • Content may be reused across multiple sites
    • Saves staff time by shifting focus from design to content
    • Content may be formatted for other devices and services (PDA, tablet PC’s, cell phones, RSS feeds, etc.)

BENEFITS FOR THE UNIVERSITY

Standards & Accessibility
  • Ability to meet accessibility standards across all University sites
  • Creates better user experience through consistent navigation structure, uniform layout, etc
  • Ensures compatibility with multiple browsers
  • Encourages a consistent graphic identity for W&L

Functionality

  • Separates content from presentation:
    • Allows quick changes in graphic identity and layout
    • Content may be reused across multiple sites
    • Saves staff time by shifting focus from design to content
    • Content may be formatted for other devices and services (PDA, tablet PC’s, cell phones, RSS feeds, etc.)
  • Database makes most current data available and allows single update for data used on multiple pages.

Consistent Graphic Identity

  • Better user experience through ease of navigability – visitors can find info easily through consistent placement of critical elements such as navigation
  • Consistent design allows visitors to focus on content rather than question location within the site or how to navigate through it
  • Good, consistent design reflects positively on the University and reinforces University’s graphic identity. Allows for visual integration with other communications vehicles
  • Encourages implementation of industry best practices across University sites
  • Fonts, colors and graphics optimized for easy viewing and printing

Support

  • No software to install or maintain on individual machines
  • Broad technical support
    • Multiple support persons
    • Toubleshooters will have instant access to files from remote locations
    • Identifiable tasks allow for creation of online help and self-paced tutorials
  • Scheduled, open training sessions
]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/why_a_cms/#001431 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/why_a_cms/#001431 Why a CMS? Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:00 -0500 Who We Are Web Services is a joint initiative between the Office of Communications and University Computing. The team is currently comprised of seven core members in consultation with members of the Publications, Administrative Systems, Network & Systems Administration and other groups on an as-needed basis.

Web Services holds a regular weekly meeting for the core team to discuss current and future projects. Additionally, we make every effort to keep the University community at large well-informed of our activities, beginning with this Web site, which will document our priorities, projects and policies and offer regular opportunities for feedback.

In the coming months, Web Services will begin offering luncheon seminars to brainstorm new content and features to be implemented on the University’s Web site. These seminars will focus on trends in higher education Web services/marketing as they relate to specific offices and/or audiences for Web content. These seminars may also be devoted to an ongoing assessment of the University’s Web site which will help direct future Web development work by the WLWS, including usability assessments, surveys, focus groups, etc.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001427 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001427 About Us Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:01 -0500 How We Do It W&L Web Services is responsible for the ongoing oversight of the University's public Web presence and for ensuring that the W&L Web site serves its various constituencies effectively, while conveying our brand identity to visitors. W&L Web sites are representations of the University and require the same level of accuracy and presentation as all University publications, as well as the same technical sophistication, accessibility and ease-of-use offered by today’s leading commercial and higher education sites.

In order to accomplish these objectives, WLWS must become an integral part of all Web initiatives related to the University’s Web presence. The team provides four major areas of service to the University community:

• APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT: Including the selection, implementation and support of a new University-wide content management system, support for all official University Web sites, development and implementation of the UPortal project, support for Blackboard and other applications that relate to the University’s Web presence.

• CONSULTING: Including the review, approval and purchase of all third-party applications to be used in conjunction with wlu.edu, as well as general Web service consulting for all official University Web sties and other projects related to them.

• CONTENT CREATION/EDITING: Writing, editing and design services for sites within wlu.edu..

• RICH MEDIA DESIGN/PRODUCTION: Design and production services for rich media features, including streaming media, e-cards, flash features, the virtual tour, etc.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001429 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001429 About Us Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:02 -0500 The Team The Team

  • John Blackburn, Asst. Director of UC, Head of ITG

  • Jessica Carter, Web Editor

  • Eric Owsley, Web Developer

  • Laurie Lipscomb, Webmaster

  • Pat Harris, Programmer

  • Peter Jetton, Web and Communications Specialist, School of Law

  • Jeff Knudson, Systems Administrator

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001441 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/about_us/#001441 About Us Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:03 -0500 Web Style & Standards As part of the redesign effort, the new Web Policy & Standards Committee will oversee the creation and maintenance of a set of Web policies and standards to be implemented University-wide, including application of graphic identity, usage of University Web templates, software/hardware compliance, outsourcing, accessibility standards, security, etc. Check back here for more information about this initiative in the coming months.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/web_style_standards/#001435 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/web_style_standards/#001435 Web Style & Standards Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:03 -0500 CMS Search A BRIEF HISTORY : Two years ago this September a working group was convened by University Computing to identify and purchase a campus-wide content management system to replace the hodgepodge of home-grown and out-dated sites that had begun to burden support staff and which failed to deliver a unified look and feel for wlu.edu. This search dovetailed nicely with that of a second committee, charged with investigating web interfaces to administrative databases. Together the committees identified a product that had potential to serve both of these purposes, and a decision to purchase that software was made in July of 2005. Due to product shortcomings and poor customer relations, the contract was terminated in July of 2006 and the search for content management systems resumed. During the past three months, the newly created Web Services team met to view online demos from a short list of vendors whose products met our requirements (see below). Vendors on our short list included:

  1. HannonHill: Cascade Server
  2. Ingeniux: Ingeniux CMS Version 5
  3. RedDot Solutions: RedDot CMS
  4. Serena: Collage
  5. ESX Engineering: Higher Education Catalyst

After participating in the demos, we narrowed our list down to two finalists, Ingeniux and Hannon Hill, who were invited to present on campus to the W&L community at large. These presentations are scheduled for the following dates/times:

INGENIUX: Tuesday, September 19th, 9:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m., Commons Room 345
HANNON HILL: Thursday, September 28th, times TBA

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/cms_search/#001434 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/cms_search/#001434 CMS Search Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:05 -0500 CMS Requirements REQUIRED:

  • WYSIWYG interface
  • Link management
  • Addressable URLs
  • Template editor
  • Repurposable content
  • Rich media capability
  • Content expiration
  • Web interface/MAC & PC Client
  • 508 Accessibility compliance
  • Category associations
  • Export content direct to desktop publishing apps
  • Click and drag content from MS Office
  • Spellcheck
  • Forms

DESIRED:

  • Personalization Capability
  • Digital Asset Manager
  • Multi-language support
  • Faculty Experts Guide/Profiles
  • Event Calendars
  • E-newsletters
  • Chapter and Class Pages
  • Alumni Directory
  • Event Registration
  • eCommerce/Online Giving
  • Athletics Scoreboard
]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/cms_search/#001432 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/content_management/cms_search/#001432 CMS Search Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:00:06 -0500 Writing for the Web No matter how good a site looks, content is king. In an effort to improve the quality and legibility or our Web content and optimize it for search engine indexing, Web Services will be offering resources and tutorials to help content contributors improve their Web writing skills.

Check back here for more information.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/writing_for_the_web/#001440 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/writing_for_the_web/#001440 Writing for the Web Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:23:29 -0500 W&L Site Redesign One of the first priorities of the Web Services team once a content management system is purchased is a redesign of wlu.edu. Design work is already underway and the new look and feel of the University gateway and other top-level pages will soon be available for review and feedback on this site. We are also working on a timeline to redesign other pages within the site; redesigns will be completed as departments and offices complete their migration to the new content management system.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/wl_site_redesign/#001442 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/wl_site_redesign/#001442 W&L Site Redesign Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:39:21 -0500 Welcome The newly created Washington and Lee University Web Services team will be using this space to update the campus community about our search for and implementation of a content management system and other web-related initiatives. Please check back regularly for news about the CMS search and rollout, as well as a preview of the new W&L homepage design. You'll also find here resources for creating and maintaining your site.

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/#001439 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/#001439 Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:59:30 -0500 Test Image bannerl.jpg

]]> http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/#001965 http://bloggery.wlu.edu/cms/#001965 Thu, 08 Feb 2007 08:45:07 -0500