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Web Operational Management Group

Minutes of the Meeting of October 30, 2002
Dana Porter Library, 1:30 p.m.

Present: Chris Gray, Linda Hastings, Esther Millar, Bill Oldfield, Marina Wan (Facilitator), Charles Woods(Recorder)

  1. Minutes of the Meeting of October 16, 2002

    The minutes were accepted with minor corrections. Recorders were reminded to post the minutes to the WebOps website when approved.

  2. Business Arising

    #6 -- OLITA Award 2003

    Bill is preparing a submission for the OLITA Awards with regards to the OCUL Staff Search system developed locally with Cold Fusion..

  3. Agenda Review

    NavBar and Dreamweaver was added as agenda item 4

  4. NavBar and Dreamweaver

    Esther reported that she had encountered problems with Dreamweaver that may or may not be attributable to compatibility of files generated by different versions of Dreamweaver (version 4 vs. MX). She noted that some file-permission errors were encountered when sharing files with other staff but Chris noted that that error can be encountered when a user doesn't do a SYNCH or a GET at the beginning of a new Dreamweaver session. Esther also reported problems trying to maintain top and side menu bars; Chris speculated that the problem is caused by name conflicts among the two menus.

    The group contemplated issues surrounding a broader distribution of Dreamweaver MX (see below in agenda item 5) but agreed that Esther needed to perform further tests to ensure that there are no major problems with either Dreamweaver MX or the compatibility of files generated by different versions before catholic implementation.

  5. CSS and Dreamweaver

    Chris reported to the group of the advantages of using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) on the library website:

    • a site can display more uniformly because different documents can link to a common document defining stylistic elements
    • CSS allows one to separate stylistic elements separately from document content
    • the style of a site is easier to maintain: for example one change to a style-sheet for H1 font size or colour would be immediately seen on all pages using that style-sheet
    • CSS allows documents to be more device-independent: displays will be less affected by differences in browsers, operating systems, html editors, monitor size, etc.
    • current browsers now work much better with CSS
    • its an advocated standard from the World-Wide-Web consortium.
    • Dreamweaver allows for the creation and maintenance of CSS-controlled documents (although the knowledge of underlying HTML code is important)
    • CSS was designed to be backward compatible with older browers

    It was noted that the adoption of style-sheets on library did not mean that everybody had to follow the common site-design; users can bypass the CSS definitions at a file or tag level if needed and multiple style-sheets can be used. The use of style-sheets does not interfere with other html functionality such as layers or FLASH.

    It was acknowledged that training would be important to ensure that CSS would not become an impediment to more casual content creators on the website. IST doesn't have a specific course on CSS but does address it within a Dreamweaver course.

    Chris Gray will demonstrate the use of Cascading Style Sheets in the next WebOps meeting. He will also contact Carl to ensure that each member of WebOps receives Dreamweaver MX such that they particpate in reviewing the CSS function in Dreamweaver. It was suggested that if Esther's tests in item 4 above are positive then Webops could consider a simultaneous deployment of Dreamweaver MX with an implemenation of CSS and organize appropriate training sessions.

  6. OCUL Staff Search

    WebOps discussed a suggestion to replace the current staff directory with the OCUL Staff-Search system referred to item 2 above. It was noted that OCUL was missing two columns of data: building and room number. Are they important to users? It was suggested that staff be asked whether the loss of this information was important; the group also considered the option of augmenting the data in the OCUL db with the missing information, either by abusing existing data fields or defining new data elements. Marina will compose an email message to staff and review it with Mark Haslett and Susan Routliffe.

  7. FLASH

    Linda Hastings recommended that WebOps should not determine the advisiblity of using Flash on the library site until the product and its potential are better understood; she noted that Flash can be used effectively in interactive pages. The group agreed that she and Esther and possibly Marian Davies should work on some demos on the application of Flash and present the results to the WebOps group. One potential product might be a dynamic floor-plan of the Davis Centre library that could direct users to the closest bathroom...

  8. WebOps Terms of Reference

    Marina Wan tabled an updated Terms-of-Reference for the WebOps group and highlighted these changes:

    1. Specify sponsoring managers, in the first paragraph:

    "The UW Library Web Operational Management Group is jointly sponsored by the Associate University Librarian and the Assistant University Librarian, Information Services."

    2. Specify WebOps' role in managing the home pages, in the list of specific
    tasks:

    "1. Managing the home page of the Library Web and the Library Staff Web, including the content and the design."

    3. Clarify responsibilities in the UW Library web sites, in the first paragraph after the list:

    "The UW Library Web Operational Management Group consults Library Administration and Staff in managing the home page of the Library Web and the Library Staff Web. Library departments and groups are responsible for the content of their own web pages. The Group advises on the structure and design of web pages and keeps the Standards & Practices for UW Library Web Pages up-to-date for the use of web maintenance staff."

  9. Around the Table

    Esther reported that since the implementation of text drop-down menus the latest report of Linkbot states that the number of slow pages has dropped from ~1300 to 404. The number of problem links in the Cartography area have also dropped.

  10. Next Meeting

    The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 1:30pm. Room to be announced...

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July 15, 2005