1. Introduction to Web Authoring Bill Hart-Davidson hartdav2@msu.edu AIM: billhd30 Session 24 www.msu.edu/~hartdav2/wa.html

2. Today in Class… 1.Guest: PW instructor John Kinch w/ sample usability test 2. Recommendation reports: micro & macro structure 3. Basics of Content Management Systems

3. Framing Recommendations 1.Recall the mission of the organization, their communicative goals, and the goals of users 2.Think both short and long term 3.For every recommendation, plan to include an explanation, rationale, example, and implementation options 4. Consider your overall aim as providing information to guide decision-making.

4. Microstructure is the same for all lines of argument… Recommendation 1 -description -rationale (with data) -example -options for implementing (other examples)

5. Microstructure is the same for all lines of argument…e.g. To keep “News and Events” page current, use a weblog format and a simple template description:…a weblog format allows users to log in and add events to the page…- rationale…easy to add new items without editing html code… example… options…links to other sites w/ short intros

6. Macrostructure: “the solicited study” when your client specifically asked you to investigate something, your report looks like a research report: I.The team’s charge II.Research Questions III.Methods IV. Findings V. Discussion VI. Recommendations

7. Macro structure: “18 month plan” when your client is looking for a roadmap to developing the site, with short and long-term milestones, organized in priority order I.The Org’s Communication goals for the site II.Overview: Where the site is currently III.Overview: The new vision for the site IV.Recommendations (for getting to the new vision)

8. Macro structure: “targeted upgrade” Situation 3: when your client is aware of the need for a change in a specific area, and is expecting a detailed plan for this change I.The Org’s Communication goals for the site II.Need for upgrade, org’s perspective III.Summary: User’s attitudes & performance related to targeted area IV.Recommendations

9. Macro structure: “the tough sell” Situation 4: when your client is unaware of the need for a change in a specific area, but user data indicates that it is necessary I.The Org’s Communication goals for serving users II.User’s goals for the site III.Problem: How user’s goals and current design are clashing (backed up w/ data) IV.Recommendations

10. One last note about structures… These examples are not the only scenarios that may arise. You will need to consider you own situation carefully in order to design the macrostructure of your recommendation report. Regardless of the macrostructure, though, the microstructure will stay fairly stable.

11. Content Management Systems Weblog software (e.g. Blogger) Social Networking Software (e.g. Facebook) Distributed publishing systems (e.g. Drupal) Database-driven web sites (e.g. PhP + MySQL) Your PC’s file system + your e-mail client + your brain Your filing cabinet + a copy machine + a milk crate for carrying files back and forth between your office and your classroom Etc.

12. CMS : useful features Digital asset management (store and retrieve documents and metadata) Authentication & access management with role-based view/comment/write privileges (hide code from non-expert users) Search across all content types using metadata categories + content Global standards for content structure, local control for presentation (can ensure a more standards-compliant site)

13. For example… “CMS systems work behind the scenes, keeping track of all pages and their respective links to other pages. They also store information, allowing users to re-purpose it at some future date. They disallow gonzo designers in disparate departments from changing design elements--keeping crucial information off limits to all but a webmaster. CMS users in academic departments might be able to, say, change their course descriptions, but they won't be able to replace the school logo that sits in the upper left-hand corner with a photo of the new dean.” http://www.universitybusiness.com/page.cfm?p=747

14. Compare CMS here… http://www.cmsmatrix.org/ three worth checking out for small organizations: Wordpress http://wordpress.org/http://wordpress.org/ Drupal http://drupal.orghttp://drupal.org Joomla http://joomla.orghttp://joomla.org