[IMC-US-tech] Re: [IMC-US] Site Design

[Sascha Meinrath]

Hi all,

Alright, so we've gone through the New-IMC process and now we need to
build the IMC-US website.  I believe we've decided a couple important
things:

1. We'll host the site (at least at first) out of Michigan
2. We'll use a Dada code-base

I agree with Dan -- I think we should get some fairly basic questions
answered and then get the site up ASAP and tweak things as we go.  We can
then have our "grand-opening" once we get the kinks worked out.  I'm a big
believer that in disigning on-the-fly for a project like this since
otherwise we'll be planning for years.  Probably the best thing would be
to split discussion/action so that the imc-us-tech list is working on
programming and code implementation, and the imc-us list is working on
protocols, visual articulation, processes, recruitment.

We should also keep in mind that any US-based IMC can opt _out_ of the
IMC-US syndication system (though, by default everyone is a part of the
collaboration).

Keep in mind that we have a wiki that we can use for maintaining
information:

http://brainstorm.ucimc.org/ucimcWiki/imc-us

In solidarity,

--Sascha Meinrath
Urbana-Champaign IMC

On Wed, 1 Oct 2003, dnice wrote:

> I think the way to move forward on the visual articulation of us-imc is to
> first create  an information hierarchy (as in weighted importance not a
> system of command and control), a list of all that is going on each page of
> the site in order of importance before we get started on design. All
> content on the front page needs to be on this list before a designer starts
> working. This may change as we proceed, but its an important starting point
> so designers don't waste their time.
>
> For example.
> a) banner--title, logo, nav bar (about us, volunteer, ect) search
> b) features section with pictures
> c) syndicated news.
> d) ect...
>
> or
> a) banner--title, logo, nav bar (about us, volunteer, ect) search
> b) graphics and links to video, radio, paper projects, ect
> c) features section with picture
> d) ect...
>
> Once this is done i would suggest some friendly competition. Put the content
> info out there and solicit designers to create the flavor of the site. This
> will be a high profile site, so i think we could get many designers
> interested. Once we have a certain amount of submissions we can select the
> one we like best. Simple or 3/4 majority not  consensus would be my
> recommendation.  We'll never get consensus.
>
> This is how i suggest proceeding. Create a working group for the info
> hierarchy, collaborate on the list and then post for comments.  Modify till
> there's a general consensus. Then post this to different lists and feature
> column of us imcs asking for design mockups.
>
> ok there are still many holes in the process i'm outlining, but i gotta go
> and want to get these thoughts out there.
>
> dan
> nyc imc