Devin Burritt, MLIS Jackson Memorial Library moriallibrary.org EASY WEB TECH FOR TECHNOPHOBES

OBJECTIVES

 Understand how a CMS system can make administering a website easier  Understand how embed codes can help you put things on your webpage  Some options for embedding slideshows  Some options for embedding videos  Some options for embedding forms  Other useful things to embed in your website OBJECTIVES

What can you actually DO at your website? Can you do most of the the real “stuff” that your library offers as activities? — David Lee King, Digital Branch and Services Manager Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, and All Around Brilliant Dude WHAT CAN YOU DO ON YOUR WEBSITE

DOMAIN NAMES

 Domain names and domain name forwarding provides a cheap and easy way to access your website.  Domain names are available from a number of sources  Godaddy.com  Google Apps Affiliates  Many Others  They are affordable ranging from $7.50-$20.00/Year  A complicated URL like:  Can become something more intuitive to patrons like:  or even (if available) DOMAIN NAMES

CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 CM Systems are difficulty to set up, but make administering a website exceedingly convenient.  If there is no full time web designer/graphic artist on staff I would highly recommend a CM system. CM SYSTEMS

 Great book by ALA Techsource Great book by ALA Techsource  Drupal is our CM system for the JML website  Lets you “modules” to enhance the content of the site.  We run blocks, menus, and a blog module. All of which help shape how our site feels.  Home Wood Library Home Wood Library  Jackson Memorial Library Jackson Memorial Library  Keene Public Library New Hampshire Keene Public Library  Simon Fraser University Library Simon Fraser University Library DRUPAL

 Another CM System  Book by ALA about using wordpress as a CMS.wordpress as a CMS  Used by  University of Maine University of Maine  BU International Programs BU International Programs WORDPRESS

EMBED CODES

 A code that can be generated from a website to insert their application/slideshow/video etc. into your website.  People, much smarter than me, have come up with very simple ways to create really cool content on the web such as forms, slideshows, videos, chat applets, etc. After you create your content in their easy to use editors they will generate this code, which you can copy and past into your website, to transfer whatever you designed into a functional copy on your site.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE CODE. If you need to alter anything just look for things you do know like “Length, Width, Color” etc. If all else fails Google it! EMBED CODES

PHOTO SLIDESHOWS

 Google’s Photo Tool  Can be downloaded or accessed via the web  We use it all via the web.  Access the website:  Sign in with your google account. If you don’t have one, they are free!  From the landing page upload your photographs  Edit Album Properties so Everyone Can View  Embed Slideshow from right column  Select SlideShow Size PICASSA

 Copy and Paste Embed Code into your website  Hint: Google will not let you change the background color from black. If you look in the code for RGB= you can replace 0x00000 with whatever color you want. You can google ‘HTML COLORS” or download software that will generate color codes for you PICASSA

 Login(can login with Yahoo, Google, or Facebook)  Upload Images  Create New Set  View Sideshow  Can edit for more options  Copy and Paste Embed Code Into Website Copy and Paste Embed Code Into Website FLICKR

VIDEOS

 Videos can add a nice dimension to your website. We occasionally include them on our front page posts.  Websites to upload to:  Youtube Youtube  Vimeo Vimeo  Jing VIDEOS

FORMS

 Accessible from Google Docs  Good for creating forms that file into a spreadsheet  Event Signups  Surveys GOOGLE FORMS

 Good for registration, highly customizable. We use for Library Card Signup, ILL Requests, and Patron Book Request. Website allows up to five free forms.  Very User Friendly  ME FORMS

OTHER

 A chat application that loads into your site  Good for virtual reference transactions  MEEBO

 Available from Google.  Great for directions to the library, parking, local spots, etc. GOOGLE MAPS