2004 HighEdWebDev Conference Workshops
Here are the workshops available before and after the conference.
Advanced PHP with MySQL
Database driven web pages! The poor-man's CMS. Build it yourself... The techniques of tying PHP to a MySQL database will be taught with a focus on the design concepts of page structure to make it useful. Use of PHPMyAdmin, a MySQL administration tool, will be included for basic creation of tables & editing of structure, as well as reviewing results of PHP submissions during development.
About the Presenter
C. Daniel Chase, a Web Development Specialist for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has been involved in the technology industry since 1984. He earned his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education Physics and the Master's of Education Degree from UTC. Current projects are primarily based on moving the student information system to web-based access for faculty, staff, and students. This work is being fully developed using the power of XML & XSLT via PHP on Apache. A Linux & hardware nut, Chase serves as his own system administrator for the Web site.
Building an Apache Webserver with Linux
Linux has changed the landscape of Internet development by providing a low-cost, stable, secure platform for developing applications. Furthermore, it runs well on older hardware that can't keep up with the current versions of other operating systems.
This workshop will demonstrate installing Linux on an Intel-based computer and setting it up as a web development server. We will also cover the basics of securing the system well so that you can spend time developing on it instead of worrying about the next security vulnerability. No previous experience with Unix or Linux is needed.
About the Presenter
Chris Manly is a Unix system administrator at Cornell University were he specializes in high-availability clusters on Sun systems. In previous lives he has worked as a web application developer both at the University and in the private sector. He holds a degree from Cornell in Science and Technology Studies, and has been involved in developing and supporting Internet technologies and services since he was a student.
Building and Maintaining Websites with Perl's Template Toolkit
Think Perl is just a scripting language? This talk will introduce attendees to one of the many open source modules that extend Perl's ability to provide real world, enterprise class software solutions - at rock bottom prices! Template Toolkit is a fast, powerful and easily extensible template processing system written in Perl with certain key elements coded in C for maximum speed. It is ideally suited (but not limited) to the creation of static and dynamic web content, and incorporates various modules and tools to simplify this process.
About the Presenter
As an application developer in the University at Buffalo's Administrative Computing department, Jeff Till is responsible for the development and support of various student and faculty related systems. He has acted as technical manager for such projects as Web Grading and an Online Scholarship Submission Tool. Jeff is a staunch advocate of using Internet standards and Test Driven Development to efficiently generate large web sites.
Converting Table-based Layouts to CSS Layout
Converting to CSS layout has many benefits which we'll discover by anecdote and example. But what kind of workflow does this involve? We'll walk slowly through an example site and perform many of the steps live (not all, in the interests of time) so you can see how to plan for such a project. We'll explore many tips and tricks to make the switch work well and provide a bit of coolness as well.
About the Presenter
After a brief career as an actor, director and teacher, Mike Adams wound up in the world of Publications. After ten years the World Wide Web seemed a natural extension of publications, and he's been wandering through those twisty little passages ever since. Mike is the Webmaster of the University of Northern Colorado and enjoys playing bluegrass music as a hobby.
Developing & Maintaining Web Content: An Idea Generating Workshop
This popular WebDev workshop is a great way to start off the conference! Using some of the cornerstone topics in communications and public relations, this workshop examines the development of good Web content. It also looks at research techniques available for developing and assessing websites.
About the Presenter
Douglas Tschopp is Director of Marketing and Web Communication for Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. He also teaches public relations and advises two student Web groups, the Web Clique and the Augustana Web Authors Guild. Doug's innovative use of an empowered student group (Web Clique) to develop Augustana's website has proven to be effective in both marketing and cost effectiveness. He staunchly advocates the need for research to drive Web development and continuing site evaluation. His areas of interest and expertise include: Web content design, consumer behavior, entrepreneurial strategies, and advertising promotion. He received a B.A. in accounting and business administration, with a minor in economics, from St. Ambrose College. His M.B.A. is from the University of Iowa.
Introduction to PHP
An introduction to basic PHP use with a focus on the power of dynamic pages in comparison to statc HTML, including a short history of PHP, statement syntax, basic program logic statements and data types, simple PHP pages and HTML forms.
About the Presenter
C. Daniel Chase, a Web Development Specialist for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has been involved in the technology industry since 1984. He earned his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education Physics and the Master's of Education Degree from UTC. Current projects are primarily based on moving the student information system to web-based access for faculty, staff, and students. This work is being fully developed using the power of XML & XSLT via PHP on Apache. A Linux & hardware nut, Chase serves as his own system administrator for the Web site.
Presenting Information: Designing Interfaces for the Web
How are compelling interfaces created? Effective Web design requires that information be well organized, easy to access, and clearly presented. In this workshop participants will learn how to incorporate clear information design with graphic elements to create attractive and easy-to-navigate Web sites. This workshop will be divided into two parts. In the first part participants will learn to develop and refine the information architecture of a Web site. In the second part we will examine how to use fundamental principles of graphic design (proximity, color, grouping, white space) to create more effective designs. In addition, the use of fonts and their impact on information design will be addressed, along with technical issues involved in using graphics on the Web (file formats, loading time). During the workshop we will apply these concepts and design strategies to develop a hypothetical Web site.
About the Presenter
Cynthia Ramlo has extensive experience designing interfaces for Web sites and Web-based applications designs. She holds an M.I.S degree from the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University, where she now teaches a workshop in Web Graphics. Currently, she designs multimedia instructional modules for the Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region at Indiana University. She is a member of the National Association for Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and has extensive experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as Macromedia Fireworks and Flash.
Understanding and Implementing Web Accessibility
Are you wondering if your web site is accessible? In this workshop, we'll review the Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Standards (commonly known as the Section 508 Accessibilty Standards) and discuss coding techniques for meeting the standards. Then we'll discuss how you can implement web accessibility at your campus through the use of a policy, action plan and review process.
About the Presenter
Sara Clark is the Web Coordinator for Southwest Missouri State University. She oversees the organization, design, functionality, and security of the university's web site and assures accessibility of the university's web site for all users. Sara has a B.S. in Computer Instruction and over eight years experience in managing and implementing university web projects and procedures.
Sara collaborates with SMSU web developers and users to understand and meet the information needs of users, research and adopt effective design strategies, and provide resources and consulting services. She is the chair of the SMSU Web Advisory Committee, SMSU Web Developers Users' Group and Missouri Higher Education Web Developers group.
Web Project Management
Studies have shown that as much as 80% of all (IT) projects fail. Project managers engage in a daily struggle to deliver projects efficiently and effectively. Best practices show the ways organizations have worked to achieve key success factors and represent specific initiatives that can be applied to different work environments. Organizations increase the probability of successful projects by using documented best practices, including recognizing and broadcasting the need for change, obtaining executive-level support, gathering cooperation by using effective communication, putting together quality teams, knowing what the customer needs and wants, providing goals that relate to organization’s strategic plan, measuring outcomes accurately, using risk management appropriately, continuing to plan for improvement. This presentation will show examples of these best practices and how they can be applied to web projects.
About the Presenter
Wendy Dibean is the Senior Manager for Web Development and Support at the University of Miami, where she plays a significant role in content management and web application initiatives for the University. In 2000, her team implemented an enterprise-wide content management application, and since then has continued to expand their efforts to support the updating of the phonebook, a University-wide events calendar, and a “Major Finder” for prospective students. Wendy completed her Master of Art in Communication at the University of Miami, where she is currently working on a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems.
Web/Human Interfaces: Colors, Multimedia & Trends
As new technology enters daily life faster and deeper, people increasingly need to "feel" human. In this context, the proper analysis and correct use of human characteristics in Web site interfaces are vital to achieving desired user reactions. The workshop will address John Naisbitt's "high tech/high touch" paradox, the "brain/mind" balance analysis, interface basics, and explore some significant techniques to humanize Web sites interfaces and navigation, such as colors and multimedia.
Colors instigate physical and psychological reactions. They attract, warn, excite, calm, and convey many feelings. The way we use colors in a website contributes greatly to the way users react and feel. Color harmony and psychodynamic effects will be explored and 3D color effects on the web will also be shown.
Multimedia - is it a plague or a solution? The issue of using multimedia on the web, how, when and why, whether it may be good or bad, will be discussed. Besides the role of "humanizing" technical interfaces when properly used, it will also be addressed the new role multimedia is playing by separating the user interface from back engines.
Going a little bit beyond the actual visual driven interfaces - which take advantage of colors and/or multimedia solutions, some aspects concerning interface evolution and trends will also be raised, as ubiquitous wireless, voice recognition and nanotechnology.
About the Presenter
Martha Carrer Cruz Gabriel is director of technology at NMD Internet & Multimedia, Ltd. - developers of several successful websites in Brazil, like HBO's, Sony's, and Warner Bros' television channels and Monica's Gang - winner of 9 Internet Best Awards in Brazil since 1998. Professor of 'New Technologies' and 'Marketing' at Universidade Anhembi Morumbi. International technical advisor in US for AllHealthNet.com. Martha is a frequent speaker at Internet conferences in Brazil and also in US - as at Web Design & Development Boston in 1998, WebdevShare from 2000 to 2003, Indiana University, and as featured speaker at CUMREC 2004. Martha is an engineer, postgraduate in Marketing, and also in Graphics Design. She is working on a master's degree in Multimedia at University of Sao Paulo, focusing on man/machine interfaces.