Publishing by Mail

This article is being typed into an email that will be published automatically to the Red Cliffs Historical Societies weblog. This sytem will enable members to write an article to be added to the news and events section of the web site. This allows access to the main control panel to be restricted to office bearers and other authorised members without limiting usability of the service for members. I have limited knowledge on the capabilities of the system so I will publish a users guide later in the week when some research and testing is complete. I will also include links to the excellent help pages provided by blogger.

Site Taking Shape

After 2 very long days working on the site structure and web page design it looks like a web site with a purpose. The sections of the site that allow visitors and members to add content are operational ready for testing to see if they meet operational requirements of the society. Content can be published to the site in 3 areas.

This section of the site is for news, events and other information of importance. Content is published using the interface provided for free by www.blogger.com All files are stored on the VicNet server along with the rest of the website. All new articles are added to the top of the main news and events page that has been setup to display the past 5 post. Each article is archived to its own page as well as a monthly archive.

When a new page is added all of the links are updated automatically by the system and the design of every weblog page can be updated by editing the template, this does not include the web pages that share the same design for consistency across the web site. All of the web pages have been developed to the highest standards complying with XHTML 1.0.

As well as publishing articles with the online WYSIWYG editor the system has also been set up to publish articles submitted by email. This is convenient for members who only need to know the private email address to publish content from anywhere they can use a web browser. After an initial learning curve the weblog will prove to be an invaluable asset.

Comments have been enabled on this article for you can add some feedback. Knowing what users think is important to deliver a product that satisfies all of the requirements, many of which are unknown prior to the capabilities of the system being known. The site is now at a usable stage ready for refinement based on end users feedback.

Web Site Structure

To develop a system to accommodate the needs of multiple users with different objectives it is essential to begin with a well planned site structure. This will increase the life cycle of the web site and ensure trouble free operation, easy expandability and high search engine placement.

The users groups within the society have been defined as: -

• Office Bearers
• Researchers
• Members
• Sponsors
• Affiliates

The dynamic publishing requirements defined are: -

• Official Reports - annual, finance, meetings, agenda's.
• Historical Society Events - meetings, activities, social outings.
• Research - notes, discussions, coordinate working groups.
• Links To - affiliated historic sites, sponsors, research resources.
• Members - add information, request information, contact officials.
• Public - add comments, contact secretary.

This covers the common activities and input from members is welcome. Please forward your suggestions promptly to John Powlton the project manager or Max Johnson the project coordinator.

Project Coordination

The project coordinator is Mr Max Johnson the current Secretary of the Red Cliffs and District Historical Society. Project Management and web site development is the responsibility of Mr. John Powlton a recent Computer Science Graduate from Deakin University.

Project Deliverables: - The completed web site will provide a platform to deliver historical information, news, events, activities, meetings, reports to members and promote the societies activities to the public. To ensure maximum exposure web pages will comply with the W3C consortiums standards for XHTML 1.0 to ensure the content displays correctly in any browser, mobile Internet device and devices for the visually impaired.

An interface to publish content will be provided that accommodates users with varying levels of computer skills and technical knowledge. The editor will validate new content for compliance with web standards and the latest items posted to the site will be distributed in XML format. The XML news feed will allow members to display posts on their computer using a news reader.

Web Site Background

Red Cliffs, with a population of approximately 2,700, is situated on the Calder Highway 537 Km north-west of Melbourne and 16Km south of Mildura. The Red Cliffs and District Historical Society was established in 1984 and has played an important role in preserving and recording the history of Red Cliffs and district.

Recently a small web site was published as a temporary measure until a permanent web site could be established. The development of this new web site will be accomplished with the support of VicNet a Division of the State Library of Victoria to provide information and access to communication technologies for community organisations. Vicnet works with a wide range of not-for-profit community organisations including sporting, recreational, education, multicultural, health and arts groups as well as providing technical support services to the government, education and welfare sectors.