1. Web Advisory Group (WAG) Implementation Plan
ITC
10/19/04
Markus Stobbs

2. Background 2001 – WAG Strategic Plan approved by ITC
2004 – Many strategic goals have been accomplished
Centralized Web Hosting of over 40 d/p sites
Gatekeeper Authentication
UCAR Search Engine
People Search
Mailman Lists
This UCAR
F&A Web Applications
We need an implementation plan going forward

3. Process Open monthly WAG meetings to brainstorm
WAG Implementation Plan Subgroup
WAG Survey of 80 division directors and developers
Series of WAG meetings to prioritize projects and refine plan
Analyzed WAG network of relationships
For each project, created Description, Rationale, Elements, Potential Solutions, Potential Implementers, Effort
Further details will be fleshed out by each project plan

4. Relationships ITC SCD WAG WEG Other Implementers reports reports
advises
implements
Other Implementers

5. Implementers Implementer Focus Audiences served WEG
Science side apps, hosting
All
F&A/IT
Business side apps, hosting
Employees
SCD/OIS
SCD apps, hosting
Employees, external users
UCAR Comm
Content, editorial EO
Content, instruction
Ed, public
WORD
Content, advisory

6. Domain Experts COMET – instruction DMWG – scientific data
DPC (DLESE) – metadata catalogs
GIS Initiative – GIS
Unidata – metadata catalogs
WORD – content

7. Top Priority Projects Test Environment Search Engine Optimization
Next Generation Authentication & Access Control
Metadata Directories & Catalogs
Collaborative Portals
Content Management System

8. Test Environment
A test cluster will mimic the configuration of the WEG production cluster as closely as possible in order to provide a reliable environment for testing websites, web applications, and software upgrades before moving them onto the production cluster.

9. Search Engine Optimization
Optimize Verity Ultraseek engine preferences
Publish best practices guidelines on optimizing content for search engines and expiring outdated content
Review and update host index list
Redesign search results interface for more effective information display
Experiment with Google web service for indexing our public pages

10. Next Generation Authentication
Planning for a transition to a next generation authentication system such as Kerberos should include thorough research into web integration
Web Requirements
single sign on
backward compatibility with existing Gatekeeper
integration of authentication services into websites & web apps

11. Access Control
Granular access control would enable system administrators to set user and group access privileges for specific web content and services
Would require a central directory of UCAR employees, members, and collaborators
Needs to be integrated with Authentication solution
A user should be able to progressively refine their identity and preferences, and have that feed all the UCAR websites they access

12. Metadata Directories/Catalogs
Metadata directories have proven very useful for cataloging datasets and we recommend this approach be applied to other types of high value web resources such as:
ASR, scientist profiles, projects, posters, instruments, applications

13. Collaborative Portals
Using a portal framework, we would offer numerous web-based tools for project teams to collaborate and share project resources
Tools would include:
document repository, project mgt, discussion boards, collaborative documents

14. Content Management System
Content repositories
File transport
Version control
Edition management
Web page creation and update via simple forms for non-developers
Symptom - numerous “404 page not found” errors

15. See the Entire Plan www.ucar.edu/wag/imp Projects By Audience
Highlights
Annual Scientific Report web application
Form-driven Scientist Home Pages
Support Center

16. Top Priority Projects Test Environment Search Engine Optimization
Next Generation Authentication & Access Control
Metadata Directories & Catalogs
Collaborative Portals
Content Management System