Two presentations in one time slot:
Steven Mussett, University of Evansville
Paul Asay, Indiana State University
Steven Mussett:
Lessons learned from his project:
-Documentation for customizing the interface beyond the initial graphic (top left) is not very good.
-Recommends using Firebug to trace the source of what's on the screen to the correct CSS and HTML files. [JBK note - this add-on is similar to the Web Developer add-on I use, but it has slightly different features and displays differently on-screen]
-Points out that the search and header tabs are graphics - they can't be edited using CSS. You need to be able to edit graphics. 8 (!) different files control these tabs. He recommends GIMP (free) for editing images with Hex color support (MS Paint doesn't have this) if you don't have or can't get commercial image-editing software.
-Mentions a commercial Web site that helps generate Hex color schemes, but doesn't necessarily recommend this over other options.
Pitfalls:
-High-contrast photos don't make good backgrounds for text
-The generic labels that appear at the bottom of a record formatted for print (choice on the record is "reformat for printing"), is being treated as a bug. He implemented a temporary fix in the relevant file, but will need to undo it when the bug is actually fixed.
-Had a terrible time creating a working favicon for IE. Recommends skipping the favicon if you're on a compressed schedule.
Biggest lesson learned:
-Keep a changes log! Date/Name of file/Edited text/Reason - all are critical when you need to know and can't remember what you've customized.
Paul Asay:
Describes the completely different back-end structure of Voyager 7 OPAC, also called Tomcat Web Voyage:
-Tomcat is an xml-driven Web server
-Built on XML, XSL (extensible stylesheet language), CSS (for style), and a new directory structure
Thinks the skins work well - each library can have its own skin for the same catalog. His opinion - don't mess with the default skin; thinks it's pretty easy to customize one's own. In answer to a question, he opines that creating a catalog for mobile devices would only involve creating a new skin, but that you'd probably have to start the xsl and css from scratch.
Added book covers (can't remember from where - it's not Syndetics); used xsl to add to facets so can see reviews in Amazon; texting Circ. notices via SMS.
Recommends customizations made by other customer-developers:
Jim Robinson - a spell check on no-hit results; enhanced highlighting of search terms; a friendly time-out screen
Laura Guy: Amazon covers and links
Michael Doran: New books
Notes that these and other customizations are or will be available on EL Commons.
Paul's slides and changes to ISU's installation are available on his site.
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