Web Site Design Project: Biznet Organization John J. Mackin MSCE /18/01

Background Organization – Military Service Academy alumni networking group Web site provides contact information, schedule and other information of common interest to membership Voluntary participation Web hosting provided free

Business Problem/Case Current web site not as functional as it could be: Schedule information is not kept up to date. Membership information is kept separately Traffic?

Design Goals Improve ease of updating membership information Improve web site utilization Maintain schedule information up to date Improve navigation Improve “look and feel”

‘Customer’ Profile Currently about 150 members Military Service Academy graduates Similar backgrounds About 3000 total population in Colorado

Site Demonstration

Lessons Learned Successes: Javascript rollovers GIF techniques Database success limited Many Javascripts available: counters, form validators

Lessons Learned Challenges: Which scripting technology best? ASP, Javascript, CGI/Perl, SSI Perl/CGI/Hosting dilemma Not all hosts support Most references assume access to Unix shell Host support non-standard Project Management Standards

DB Functionality Climbing down the technology tree: Front Page/MS Access – ASP Required SW Apps not allowed CGI/DBI::ODBC to MS Access DBI::CSV to text delimited file data as attached file data formatted in mail

Unique Features/Improvements Navigation improved: More consistent Use of rollovers Improved interface design Limited DB improvement

Future Enhancements Schedule maintenance? / Training Improved DB functionality –pursue MS ASP technology Form validation Traffic counter Random graphics generator

Conclusion Site improved overall Improved use of technology DB access/updating improved but not as successful as desired