Maintaining the WebPAC

The forms and files that create the WebPAC can be HTML, GIF, JPG, cascading style sheets, and other file types, depending on the needs of your organization and its patrons. The files and forms utilize Innovative-provided command links and HTML tokens for ease of customization. You can create and maintain the WebPAC by using the standard processes and tools of Web site design and maintenance.

Web Server Directories and Contents

The directories on the WebPAC server include:

• staging
• staging/screens (the staging/screens subdirectory is served on port 2082 of the Web server and contains the version of the WebPAC that you use for testing and approval)
• live
• live/screens (the live/screens subdirectory is served on port 80 of the Web server and contains the WebPAC viewed by your patrons)

After setup by Innovative, the staging/screens directory of the Web server is populated with an example WebPAC site. The live/screens directory is populated with:

• Your organization's current WebPAC site, if it exists.
• An example WebPAC site if your organization has no current WebPAC site.

Cookies

The Innovative Web server exchanges cookies with the client browser. WebPAC users must set their browsers to accept cookies.

A "cookie" is a piece of information passed back and forth between a client browser and a Web server. Cookies allow the browser to store information required by the server. For example, the Export, Partners, Scoping, and some Web Access Management features use cookies to store information about choices the user has made. They can then provide information appropriate to the user's current scope, list of exported records, etc.

When you test your WebPAC edits, verify that the browser is set to accept cookies.

Preparing to Customize the WebPAC

Review the example files Innovative provides in the staging/screens directory. You can view the staging/screens directory with a browser on port 2082 of your Web server. For example:

http://www.your_opac.org:2082

Updated examples are posted on CSDirect as they become available.

Review the comments in the files. The HTML code contains many comments that could be helpful to you when designing or maintaining a WebPAC site.

Before you edit your customizable files and forms:

• Consider the purpose of the edits.
• Choose the programs for editing and transferring files.
• Follow a design process.
• Set up your workflow.
• Review the design tips.

Purpose for Editing

You might be editing your WebPAC site to:

• Enhance the user experience so that it better serves your community's needs. Many elements of the WebPAC can be customized by scope, patron type, and/or language.
• Maintain consistency with other Web resources at your organization.
• Add content and functionality specific to your organization.

Programs for Editing and Transferring Files

Choose the editing and file transfer tools you will use:

• Innovative-supplied tools such as the Web Options function and the Web Master function.
• Non-Innovative programs such as Macromedia Dreamweaver MX®, Adobe GoLive®, Notepad®, SimpleText®, the FTP functionality in some Web site editing tools, and your favorite FTP clients. When you use these programs, you create and edit files in a local directory on your PC and transfer them between the Web server and the local directory.

The Design Process

The design process can be repeated at intervals to incorporate new functionality and user feedback into your WebPAC design. Many organizations follow a Web site design process similar to the following:

1. Make a list of goals for the site.
2. Make a list of the edits that will achieve the goals. While assembling your list, consider the following:
   • Unless you have already customized your WebPAC extensively, it may be easier to modify the pages in the Innovative-supplied example set.
   • You must create some content, such as branch hours or your organization's logo.
   • You can achieve dramatic changes through simple stylesheet edits—especially through substituting colors. For example, you may not need to create new button images to achieve a look that ties in with your organization's colors.

Making a list of the specific files affected by your plan can help you understand the scope of the work ahead.

3. Identify any edits that should happen simultaneously (e.g., creation of new informational pages and of the top and bottom logos that include navigational links to them).
4. Prioritize the list of edits, grouping the edits that must happen simultaneously.
5. Determine when you will unveil the edits to your patrons. Often design changes can be done in phases.

Setting Up Your Maintenance Workflow

When you have determined the goals of customizing your site, the scope and stages of the work, and the tools that you want to use, you can set up your workflow. Innovative recommends the following:

1. Prepare your content (text and images).
2. Edit files in the local_staging/screens directory or in the staging/screens directory. Note the following:
   • You edit files in the local directories when using tools not supplied by Innovative.
   • You edit files in the staging/screens directory when using Innovative's Full Screen Editor.
3. Transfer files edited in the local_staging/screens directory to the staging directory. You can move edited files individually by using the Web Master function or your favorite FTP program, or in batches with your FTP program.
4. Test the site in the staging directory.
5. Back up the live site. You can use your favorite FTP program, or the FTP functionality of a Web site editing program, to download all of the files in your live site. FTS can also be used to download files from the live directory.
6. Make the staging directory live by overwriting the files in the live directory with those in the staging directory.

For edits that must take effect immediately, you can edit customizable files in the live/screens directory on the Web server. However, Innovative recommends that, whenever possible, you edit files in a local or staging directory. Transfer them to the live directory after testing.

Design Tips

Consider the following design tips when editing your WebPAC:

• Edit the master file of images (e.g., an Adobe Photoshop® file, not a GIF or JPEG file).
• Read the comments within each HTML file contained in Innovative's example set.
• Think about the needs and priorities of your audiences. Save the time of the reader.
• Think about stylistic requirements.
  • Consistency gives users a sense of place: a unified look and feel is the biggest aid to consistency.
  • Use clean, consistent, quick-loading design.
  • Write for the Web and use the power of links.
  • Use meaningful text for links (e.g., avoid "Click here").
• It is not necessary to make all of your changes at once. Often edits to look and feel and the navigation bars can be released first. Subsequent content changes and additions can be made as time permits.
• Keep the focus on the most useful information:
  • Limit the top level links to what is most important to your users.
  • Bring information up a level to save the patron's time: for example, add a search input box on your home page or use brief citation to bring information from the bibliographic record into the list of search results.
  • Move less essential information off the main page.
  • Add new Web pages to describe information specific to your institution such as branch locations or special reference services.
  • Document your design choices—this may save time when you expand or redesign the site in the future.