Contact:  Dr. Rudi Kiefer
Senior Web Administrator
770-534-6166    email rkiefer@brenau.edu

The following instructions pertain to Brenau University's "promotional websites" listed below.  Other Brenau websites have different purposes and procedures.

Sites covered here:

How to place them
The pdf files are tied into the navigation structure of your site.  This means that the link bars on all pages will adjust themselves automatically.  To replace an existing pdf file, give it the same name as the old one.  Then import it into the Frontpage folders view.  New items need to be linked to the navigation structure.  On both items, call 6166 if you're unsure how to do it and would like some guidance.

Important:

• There must be a revision date in the body of your document (a small blurb after the last text paragraph).  This helps us verify that the latest issue is indeed showing up.
• Your pdf files should have general names (e.g. "testingdates.pdf", "drivingdirections.pdf",...)  Do not use specific dates (like October2004testing) because that way you won't be able to simply replace an old file with a newer one.

For pics showing directly on a page, go with the following rough dimensions:

IMAGE SIZE:
small picture --  100 x 200                  medium --  200 x 350                      large  -- 300 x 500

Avoid larger images than that, they cost dearly in loading time and bandwidth.  We're getting billed for both.

RESOLUTION
In every case, image resolution is 72dpi.  Both Irfanview and Photoshop have an Image Size command. 

FORMAT 
Use jpg format.   *Never* post an image saved as .bmp, .psd, or  .tif.  They are wayyyy too big.
When saving as jpg, choose 75% compression ("quality").  100% is too big, less than 75% too gritty.

Some worms and other devices on the internet are aimed at extracting private information, or cause damage to users' computers.  To prevent Brenau web pages from inadvertently introducing such malware, authors are not permitted to post materials downloaded from external sites unless approved by the Senior Web Administrator.  This includes, but is not limited to, graphics, banners, time clocks, weather watch devices, stock market indicators, and pop-up windows of any kind. 

This does not apply to simple web links, for example a link to a web page that supplies stock information.  If unsure, call Dr. Kiefer at x.6166.   

Purpose

The www.brenau.edu web is subject to the guidelines in this publication due to its function as Brenau's public website. It serves as the university's main contact, marketing, and display vehicle on the Internet. The goals of the Brenau website are twofold: to recruit students and to enhance the image of the university. Publication of all items on the public web, including content, layout, and designs, is subject to supervision by the senior web administrator. The web administrator reports to the vice president for institutional advancement.

Procedures

Detailed procedures on the creation, maintenance, and update of web pages on www.brenau.edu are developed by the web administrator.

Web authors are sought from each major unit of the university. The web authors' task is to provide factual content for the websites to the web administrator, in a format that varies according to their level of technical expertise.

Web authors set up web pages on a staging server where they are proofed and modified in collaboration with the web administrator. The URL of the staging server is known on campus but not published off-campus. The main criterion for deciding on the layout and content of a page is in the Purpose paragraph above.

The web administrator publishes the updated websites to the live web (www.brenau.edu or artsweb.brenau.edu) once all changes have been approved and verified.

Every effort will be made to publish the updated materials in a speedy fashion, however it will not be possible to always provide instant service. Web authors should expect a turn-around time of three days to one week. It should be kept in mind that www.brenau.edu is currently comprised of more than 1,000 active web pages.

Problems, such as typographic or factual errors, should be handled by the web authors. Server problems (such as the website not coming up) are handled by AICS (helpdesk@brenau.edu).

The digital images (photographs) used on Brenau’s web pages are copyrighted and are the property of Brenau University. They are archived in the Wheeler Alumni House office. Faculty and staff can obtain electronic copies of photos needed for university business. Contact the web administrator. Downloading from the web for Brenau brochures, etc. is discouraged because web images are not optimized for printing.

Questions concerning content and layout should be relayed to the web administrator by phone or email. Usually, clarification or troubleshooting can be accomplished over the phone while both parties are online. Web authors get priority service.

Updates

Frequent updates and changes are a must for websites. They ensure that customers come back, but they also give us a good ranking on search engines.
Therefore, the design, color schemes, and layout of the Brenau web should be expected to change while retaining a consistent "Brenau flavor." Suggestions and ideas are always welcome, as are error reports and constructive criticism.

Submission of materials

The web administrator sets up websites and pages on any site that shows a need. Departments and divisions are encouraged to send photos, text, and other materials they want published to the web administrator if the respective web author is unable to handle the project.

Contact

In all questions regarding the content and appearance of Brenau's promotional websites, contact the person showing at the bottom of the respective page, or the web administrator.

Other webs

Blackboard (classes.brenau.edu), CampusWeb (campus.brenau.edu), Student Web (students.brenau.edu), Faculty Web (faculty.brenau.edu) and Intranet (intranet.brenau.edu) are campus instruments for use of Brenau faculty, staff and students. In that regard, they are not considered part of the Brenau Worldwide Web assembly, and questions pertaining to these units should be directed to AICS.