Web Site Guidelines and Page Content

1. The teachers must ensure that all the students have signed the "Network Use Guidelines" before any pictures of the children are placed on a web page.  As well, any mention of parent names requires written approval before being published.  Parent teacher volunteers are responsible for getting this done. 

2. The content of each class web page is up to the teacher.  It is a good idea to promote the web site as a first generation medium (in other words, the content should first published on the web site, then the web page should be printed out for students or parents. This eliminates extra data entry or redundant work).

3. The look of the classroom pages is up to the designers and teachers. There is no standard template for classroom pages. HAVE FUN!  We do request however that all of the teacher's page/site have the following:

   • A Hyperlink to their bio page
   • A Hyperlink to the appropriate Grade Level page
   • A Hyperlink to the Library home page
   • A Hyperlink back to Dingeman's Home page (see #5)
     
     

4. Once completed, classroom pages will be placed in a directory for each teacher. - To make entering main content areas easier, name ALL your directory main page's, "index.htm"

   • The structure below the teacher's directory should be organized into subdirectories.
   • All images should reside in a directory named as follows: /teacher's name/images (substitute teacher's name for the teacher's actual name; the subdirectory must be named "images").
     
     

5. All pages must have a link back to the HOME page. Go back one directory to ../index.htm if in the base directory.  Make sure you use relative links, not absolute.

6. For the SECURITY of our children and to ensure privacy for parents:

   • Names of children must not be published next to pictures.
   • Use first names only; do not use full names.
   • Do not publish the dates of upcoming field trips.
   • Consider substituting code names for the children's actual names.
   • Do not name image files with the children's names (the file name is visible when the cursor hovers over the image).
   • Do not publish parent names without prior written approval from the them. (keep this written approval with the teacher's "network use guidelines" approval forms)
     
     

7. Care should be taken not to incorporate web functions and features not available to a majority of users (3.0 browser friendly).  Newer technology, browsers 4.0 and higher (Java, active-X Flash) should only be used in special projects; a link to the newest browser should also be provided. We want to make sure "most" people can view our web site.

8. Each page should display the email address and name of the person who maintains the page. Only update web pages for which you are the designated page master.  Do not update any other web pages unless you have prior approval.  Add the following to the bottom of each page:

   This page created/modified by "your name", Page Master.
   If you encounter any problems with this page please contact "your name".
   (make "your name" an active email link to you)

9. What can I call myself when I create a page?  Most of you will identify yourselves as Page Mater.  A Page Master is someone who can create a HTML page by coding HTML or by a WYSIWYG program.  A Web Developer is someone who can operate and build a Web site from the ground up.  A Webmaster is an individual like a Developer with a degree or is certified as a Webmaster.  A Web Designer is another recognizable title on the WWW.

10. Links to other pages on site should be coded as relative, not absolute references. For example, Relative - reference would be images/mydog.gif; Absolute - reference would be http://www.sandi.net/dingeman/images/mydog.gif

11. Notes on Web publishing software: - Microsoft FrontPage is the designated standard software teachers are to use for publishing Dingeman web pages.

    • If using FrontPage, do not use themes when designing your pages.  Images must be manually imbedded.
    • The web designer may, however, choose to use any web-building program with which they are comfortable or have access to.
    • It is recommended that you have a HTML type program; like FrontPage Express, or Microsoft Publisher.  The school can not issue their copy of FrontPage to any of the Volunteers due to license laws.
      
      

12. In general, don't delete pages that have been on the server for awhile.  Instead, add a refresh tag. If a search engine picks up the removed page for any reason, and someone clicks on it and now it is gone the user will receive a 404 error message (page not found). We would prefer the opportunity to provide the user with the correct page. The code used to refresh or send a user to a new page is:
    META HTTP-EQUIV="refresh" CONTENT="2; URL=http://url-of-where-to-go.com" 

13. Use .htm as the HTML page extensions (not .html).

14. All web pages that are placed on the Dingeman server should be tested locally before they get published.  Once the page is placed on the server you should test it again to make sure it is working properly.  If it is not, you are responsible for fixing it then or reverting back to the old version.  All web designers are responsible for keeping backup copies of their work. 

15. Do Not use the HTML IMG width and height feature to reduce the size of your graphics and images.  The proper way to add graphics to web pages is to reduce the size (with anti-aliasing ON) of the image (and colors) to the exact pixel height and width, it will be displayed at, then specify that same height and width in the HTML. 

16. It is a good habit to define the Title for your page, (with TITLE tag.) 

17. It is a good habit to define, the description and keyword META tags.

PUBLISHING to the Dingeman Web site please contact Danielle Davis

A HTML Template page is provided.  It list all the default font tags for PCs, Macs, Linux, DOS.  All you need to do is cut, copy, and paste this HTML code onto anyone of your HTML editors.  If you have question regarding the template, please contact Danielle Davis

This page created by Barb Anderson, Web Developer, modified: 02/17/2004
©Copyright Dingeman School 1999