Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Publishing Content to a SIG Web Page

Overview

Each SIG has a entry in a 'directory page' on www.mnastro.org as well as a page dedicated to that SIG.  These pages are very similar in format, and the content that varies from SIG to SIG is stored in small text files, referred to as 'snippets' in the instructions that follow.

To keep things organized, each SIG is given an identifier used to uniquely identify your content on the web.  In the instructions that follow, replace the phrase signame with your SIG's identifier.  The identifiers currently in use are:

• ATM
• beginners
• bigdob
• imaging
• observing
• research
• roadtrip

SIG leaders download these 'snippets' from the web, modify them and then email them to the web master so they can be updated to the site.

Instructions

1. Using your browser, navigate to the URL "http://www.mnastro.org/sigs/signame". You should see eight files ("snippets") listed:

   signame_contact.htm (contains the contact information for the SIG)
   signame_meetings.htm (describes the general schedule and agenda for SIG meetings, if any) 
   signame_next.htm (lists upcoming SIG events) 
   signame_purpose.htm (briefly describes the purpose of the SIG) 
   signame_resources.htm (provides a listing and other Internet resources relevant to the SIG's activities) 
   signame_sites.htm (provides a listing of SIG members' web sites) 
   signame_update.htm (documents the SIG's most recent activities) 
   signame_welcome.htm (presents a welcome and invitation message from the SIG coordinator)
   

2. After deciding which "snippets" you want to update, download them to your hard-drive. 
   
   [TIP: Your browser should support one of two ways to accomplish this.
   
   The first is to opening a desired file in your browser window by double-clicking it.  Then use the browser's "File | Save As..." (or similar) function, saving it to your local hard-drive. Some  browsers "Save As" dialog offer options to save either the complete web page (i.e., including graphic files) or just the HTML of the web page.  If it does, select the option to save only the HTML.
   
   The second way to download files is to "right-click" on the desired file and select the "Save Target As..." option that is presented.]
   
   Repeat this step for each file you are updating.
   
3. After the "snippets" are downloaded on your hard-drive, open each in a text or HTML editor and modify them as needed. Using any simple, plain-text editor such as Windows "Notepad" will work just fine.
   
   [TIP: If you use an HTML editor, avoid excessive or complex formatting of the text to limit inconsistencies or problems with the 'look and feel' of the web site.  Limit formatting to simple emphasis, italics and bullets or numbering, using a "normal" style for the font and style of your text.]
   
   [TIP:  If you use a text editor, the text you intend to change will be buried in a hodgepodge of HTML code. The actual text you need to change is found near the bottom of the document, enclosed between HTML "tags" that look something like "<p>" and "</p>".Your updates must be limited to the text you find BETWEEN these tags. ( DON'T change or delete these tags, or any other characters enclosed in "< >" pairs!)  If you are familiar with HTML, you can insert simple formatting tags in the body of your text--<b> and </b> to turn on and to turn off emphasis, for example--but don't get too fancy, or you risk breaking your "snippet" or creating presentation problems when it is posted to the web site.  You can open each changed "snippet" in your browser to verify your changes.]
   
4. Once satisfied with your changes, save them to your hard-drive using the names as they were originally downloaded.  Send an email to the current webmaster, including each "snippet" either as individual  attachments to the email or combined into a single .ZIP file.  (NOTE:  Please don't copy / paste the snippets into the email.)
   
5. Once received, the webmaster will import your "snippets" into the web, and publish them.  At the same time, your emailed "snippets" will be placed back into your SIG's directory on the web site so they will be available for you the next time updates are desired.

Hints and tips for creating SIG-specific content

• Don't use  HTML-aware office automation tools like Microsoft Word to edit your "snippets".  Such tools often add excessive and unnecessary formatting information rendering your "snippets" incompatible with the web site.
• If you use an HTML editing tool such as Netscape Composer or Microsoft FrontPage, please don't modify the backgrounds graphics or add non-standard fonts or graphics.
• Don't bother to leave extra blank lines at the top and/or bottom of your snippets to position them on the SIG's web page.  The spacing is already set on the main web page.
• Use a welcoming, friendly and conversational 'voice' for your signame_welcome.htm "snippet".
• Keep your signame_next.htm and signame_purpose.htm "snippets" brief and to the point.  They also appear in the main SIG directory, so brevity is crucial.
• Endeavor to provide regular updates to your web page, particularly your signame_next.htm  and signame_update.htm "snippets".
• Allow the webmaster at least 4 calendar days lead-time to publish changes to your page.