Archive for September, 2008

September30

Wiki interface changes

By: Andrew Male

In a couple of weeks we will be upgrading the University wiki to the latest version. This upgrade includes some changes to the user interface that we wanted to share with everyone. The main change is the introduction of drop down menus for most actions

There is an overview of these changes in the official documentation, and a more detailed look at the new user interface here.

There are also improvements in searching, auto-saving and the display of charts. More details can be found in the release notes.

One exciting new feature is the Office Connector for Confluence which we are making available. It allows you to edit, embed and collaborate on Microsoft Office or OpenOffice documents in the wiki. Rather than trying to explain how it works I recommend watching the video.

Posted in: tools7 comments

September16

New website planned for the University

By: Alison Kerwin

The University’s website plays a crucial role in our communications and marketing. It is the primary communication channel for our stakeholders and acts as a valuable marketing tool providing us with a platform to showcase our research and academic prowess. It is therefore vital it presents users with easy to find, accurate and clear information, and that the site reflects the essence and aims of the University.

The current website has evolved over many years and provides a reflection of the University structure. Most professional service areas have their own website where information for external audiences sits alongside information for staff and students. This often results in numerous sub-sites with duplicated information and contradictions across the site.

With ever increasing technological advances in the ways to communicate there is an obvious need to keep developing and updating the site. In light of this the VCG has accepted a proposal to re-develop the external facing website to ensure it is audience focused and in line with the web presence of our competitor institutions (both nationally and internationally).

Dr Nicky Kemp, Director of Planning and Policy, said:

“Our website plays a vital role in the University’s communications and must continue to evolve to keep up with our competitors.

“We feel the proposed redevelopment will make the website more audience focused and help to raise our profile both nationally and internationally.

“This project will also benefit staff and students as it includes plans to improve the online access to information for all users.”

Following the development of the external site (due for release in summer 2009), internal channels will also be enhanced to provide easier access to information for our staff and students.

I (Alison Wildish) will be holding briefing sessions throughout October to provide colleagues with an opportunity to hear the plans in more detail. Stakeholder interviews will also be arranged to to ensure interested parties have an opportunity to feedback to us and the Web Services blog will detail progress throughout the project.

Edited on the 18th September (8:24 am)

Posted in: newweb7 comments

September15

A good alternative to Everlasting Gobstoppers?

By: Kelvin Gan

Carsonified are running a Golden Ticket competition. It’s not for a visit to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (which is a shame…), but VIP access to any one of Carsonified’s celebrated events. What’s more they’ll even pay for a hotel and your flights! A trip to New York would be on the cards then…

To win it, you have to write a blog post about it plus get 25 comments. This is not only my entry, but my first post on the Web Services team’s blog. Suddenly, I feel inspired…

What I like about Carsonified’s events

I first went to a Carson event back in 2006, Ryan Carson’s Building Web Apps on a Budget in London. It was the hottest day on record so far. Sitting on the tube was like sitting in hot peanut butter. Thankfully the venue’s air conditioning worked fine! I was very impressed by the presentation, the willingness to share and the organisation of the event. What also struck me was the friendliness and hospitality of Ryan and his wife Gill.

Last year I made it to the London Future of Web Apps which was a lot of fun, and the event was, again, so well organised (except for the wifi. Sorry guys! But it didn’t really matter that much in the end).

Why I *need* to go to another Carson event

I was a bit shy at FOWA 2007 and didn’t meet any new people, no matter how much they encouraged us to. I left feeling that I’d missed out a little and would have to make up for that on my next trip to a Carsonified event.

This year my boss Alison wanted me to go to FOWA London and that would have been my opportunity to get in there and network! But my first child is due any time now, and it’s usual for babies to be born up to 2 weeks late so that’s early October sort of time. As good as FOWA is, there’s no way I’d miss a single minute of one of the biggest events of my life. And there’s always next year!

Being an expectant dad-to-be all year has also meant I’ve not had a real holiday (by now, you may have guessed I’m going for the sympathy vote). A week off to paint the fence doesn’t count. Nor have I had any training or been to other work-related events.

So when I go on my first work-trip in a long time, it’d be great if it’s something as special as a Carsonified event. In the US (I’ve never been!). With free flights. And a posh hotel.

And I’m betting that as a competition winner, the Carsons will pay a little bit of extra-special attention so it’d make it easier for a shy person like me to network. Like:

“Hey Ryan, how’s it going?”
“Oh hey! Great! Hey, I’d like you to meet our Golden Ticket winner. This is Kelvin Gan.”
“Hey, nice to meet you! Wow. You must’ve written a really cool blogpost!”

And so on.

:)

BTW – as a kid I wished that Everlasting Gobstoppers (from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) were real. Do they even make Gobstoppers any more these days?

If they do, I’ll try and get some and hand them out to people I network with :)

Update

i can haz Gobstopperrrrrrrrr
Massive Gobstopper

Posted in: events27 comments

September10

A sample blog post

By: Phil Wilson

Some sample content

(for demonstration purposes during the “Using the web to work together” Web Session)

Posted in: events, web sessions2 comments

September5

Using the web to work together

By: Phil Wilson

Next Wednesday, intrepid Web Servicer Phil Wilson will be giving the third of our Web Sessions. Following the last talk about consuming information from the web (”The Other Side of the Web – RSS and Atom Feeds” which you can watch online here), this one will be a brief look at some different ways of using the internet (such as blogs and wikis) to communicate and collaborate with other people in your team, the University, and the world.

We’ll be in 3W 3.7 on Wednesday the 10th of September at 12:15 so come along and join us!

Posted in: communication, events, web sessions3 comments

September1

Content managed

By: Yvonne

It’s always nice to know that a system that you’re rolling out is making people’s work easier and not harder. We recently received this feedback from a happy user of the CMS:

“I have recently had to design and set up a website for a multi-partner research project I am working on. Having only had limited training in website creation I worked directly with the web services team using the University Content Management System (CMS). The team helped design the layout of the CMS templates the way I wanted and were there to answer any questions I had. The CMS is simple and straightforward to use, making it easy for adding new information and links to existing web pages. I would recommend the CMS for anyone who is setting up a new website, particularly if you only have very little previous experience in designing websites.”

Posted in: CMS, communication, tools0 comments

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