Website for GWL: plans, issues, help wanted

**"Barbara Martin" c*@adelphia.net**

Here is my summary as of this evening, 2/7/03. The overall scheme here is a
listing of the general areas of interest to be included in the web site as
suggested so far by GWL members, then a listing of some points I believe
need to be considered in developing the content, and last, a quick update on
progress and plans -- and help wanted.

I tried to impose some logical groupings of points among the topic areas and
am happy to add or fine tune points and/or categories as needed.

However, I believe the target audience, focus and purpose of the site should
be clearly defined now since this will determine the overall organization of
it. This is not to say it could not be expanded later, but given our
volunteer status it is unrealistic to expect all the bells and whistles
right away. So it might be good to prioritize.

Among the points listed below, the topics generating the most interest
seemed to include regional current events listings and then links to
personal web sites or other opportunities for self promotion.

GENERAL INTEREST AREAS, GWL WEB SITE

***

Current Events by Region

(regions could parallel those of GWA, or not)

(instead, could link to sites that already do this routinely)

to include shows, conferences, workshops, seminars, tours, etc.

***

Places of Interest by Region

(regions could parallel those of GWA, or not)

(instead, could link to sites that already do this, or to gardens' sites, or
to tour sites)

places to visit to include public gardens, display gardens, test gardens,
etc.

***

Bulletin Boards

for news and events associated with members (eg lectures, book signings)

for job hunters (or could link to sites that already do this)

for employers (or could link to sites that already do this)

***

Speakers Bureau

indicate speaker's subject area

***

Print Publication Info

new books/articles by members (current announcements, cycle through and add
to evergreen list)

list members' published articles and books in print (evergreen list)

***

Other Media/Communications Info by/for members

Videos

CD Rom

Television

Radio

Internet Chat

***

Individual Member Profiles

display member bio (could include link to their web site)

display member writing sample

display books and articles

***

Links to Other Sites

to members' websites

to useful information or recommended sites

Scott Russell's Botanical Links
http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/index.shtml

USDA Hardiness Zones

Horticultural organizations

***

Public Features for Public Use i.e. oriented to consumers, not just GWL
members

Q&A Area

Seed Swap

Gardening Tips

***

GWL Archive or FAQ for frequently requested information

Copyright

Contracts

Rates

Resources/Experts to interview

***

New Products

Information about new products

Reviews of products as tested by members

***

Images

Members may upload post and review photos

***

CONSIDERATIONS

Would this content duplicate content already available elsewhere?

Localized geographic focus or global? English-only or all languages?

Is this targeted to the general public or to GWL members?

Are there problems/concerns over unrestricted public access to the content?

Do we want to attract visitor traffic or member traffic only?

How do you determine who is a member?

How will it be maintained -- kept up to date and accurate?

Can regional coordinators be found to process updates and pass them along to
the webmaster?

Can members be taught or trained to create their own content?

Who would develop "evergreen" content?

Would it be desirable to QA or otherwise pre-review the content?

Are there copyright issues involved by publishing work here?

WHERE WE ARE NOW?

As Lon has indicated, "Remember one thing. All these great ideas have to be
DONE...."

In the context of tabulating current events on a regional basis,

Betty Mackey has offered to do Mid-Atlantic.

Sandie Parrott has offered to do Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the context of site design and usability, the home page serves as an
introduction and organizational tool. The home page must inform what is
available in general terms and then guide visitors toward the information
they need. The home page should load fast and be clearly organized and thus
easy to navigate.

At this time the plan is create the home page for the site and then publish
content on supplemental pages within a hierarchy or tree type of
organization. As part of the overall planned design, for example, there
could be a wiki for regional events linked to a wiki for events in a certain
state or for events in a certain month. As well, there could be a wiki
specifically to provide links to outside web sites for members who have
them, and another wiki linking to outside sites such as the Botanical Links
site. The wikipages would also allow each member to put up their own
content, including photos.

Larry London is looking at setting up a permanent GWL web site at ibiblio
along with installing the newest wiki version, 1.3.4. In the meantime he has
asked for the following:

Someone needs to be the contact person for the web site, reachable by email
and thus with their email address on public view. Who would like to be "IT"
first?

Barbara M. Martin

"Garden Wildlife" Mid-Atlantic Garden Report:
http://nationalgardening.com/regional/report13.html
Now at Cottage Garden: "Cottage Garden Valentine"
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/253/98210
My Bonsai Potato Photos  http://www.suite101.com/topic_page.cfm/253/3890

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