Andrew Aird says:
> I think it is impossible to get one, monolithic web site to adequately
> serve the needs of external readers, people inside the institution and,
> last but not least, teaching and learning. Therefore we have embarked on
> a strategy of developing three web structures focusing on each of these
> areas, and I gather several other institutions are following suite. I'm
> convince that multiple webs are the way to go.
You may be right - though the problem with this route is that you may
end up holding the same data in 3 (or whatever) different places -
recipe for disaster. If you take the multi-site approach (whether real
or virtual) I would think it essential that the servers are working from
a common dataset where overlap would apply.
The other aspect that requires great care is "forced channelling" -
visitors do not necessarily fit into predefined catagories. Eg. a
prospective student may visit your prospectus (marketing site/stream)
but will perhaps want to see something of your T&L materials.
Really what you want is a site which dynamically remaps itself to suit
the individual as they work their way through. I have no idea how this
could be done.
Cheers,
Colin
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Colin K. Work
Computing Services
University of Southampton
email [log in to unmask]
tel. 01703 593090 (direct line)
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