The Basics

How do I make or update a web page?

You will need three things:

1) A webmaster account
Your principal or administrator must use the Webmaster Account Request e-mail form found in the Principal/A&S News, Webmaster Account Requests conference in FirstClass to designate a webmaster, or you can print out a PDF version of the form. Web Services staff will create an account and send you your login and password via e-mail.

2) Software on your computer
Either you or your school user support specialist will have to install a web page authoring program (Dreamweaver, GoLive, FrontPage etc.) to create or edit web pages, and a FTP program (WS_FTP or Fetch) to transfer your files to the web server. Webmaster Software.

3) The ability to use the software
Sign up for webmaster training offered by the MCPS Office of Staff Development's eLearning Team and Web Services. It is best to get the software installed before you attend training, because you should practice what you learn as soon as possible. About Webmaster Training.

Why does my principal/administrator have to request my webmaster account?

Principals and administrators need to authorize web site access because the content of school and office web pages is ultimately their responsibility. Web Content Guidelines.
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How do I add another webmaster?

Your principal or administrator should use the Webmaster Account e-mail form found on FirstClass in the "Webmaster Account Requests" folder in the Principal/A&S News conference, to make additions or remove webmasters for their school or office.
Alternatively, the principal or administrator can use the PDF version of the Webmaster Account Request form at http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/web/standards/howto.shtm Complete the form as the principal or administrator. The principal or administrator must sign it. Pony the completed form to Web Services Team, CESC Room 201. Please do not fax the form. It will delay processing as we do not have a fax machine in our part of the building. It will be sent to us by PONY delaying your request.

How many webmasters can my school have?

Keep the group small enough for the primary webmaster to manage and communicate with. Six webmasters may be enough, but some larger high schools find that it’s better to subdivide site responsibilities, so they need a few more people on the team.

Note: You may find that it’s easier to manage your site if only a few people have permission to upload web pages, with a larger group helping to create them.
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Can parents be webmasters? How about other people who are not MCPS staff?

Yes. Schools in particular may rely on volunteer parents to keep web sites up to date. The primary webmaster must be a member of the MCPS staff. Parent volunteers often lose interest when their child leaves the school.

Parent and other non-staff accounts are requested in the same way as staff accounts. Your principal or administrator should use the Web Master Accounts Request e-mail form found in the Principal/A&S News, Webmaster Account Requests conference in FirstClass to request a parent account. It’s important to include a current e-mail address for the parent. Use the word “parent” where the employee ID is requested. Account information will be e-mailed to the parent, with confirmation sent to the requesting principal or administrator.

How do I get the tools I need?

See Webmaster Software to learn how to acquire software such as Dreamweaver, FTP clients, Acrobat, etc.
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How do I sign up for training?

Sign up for training at the IMS training registration page found at the URL: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/ims/staff.htm. You will need an IMS account to login. Once logged in, go to the Staff Development Tracker. In the Course Catalog, select Subjects and Courses with Released Sections in the pull down menu. Sort by: Section and Start Date. Below, open the Office of Strategic Technologies and Accountability classes and scroll and look for Introduction to Web Authoring and Design or Webmaster Worksessions. Alternatively, use the Search Course function in the Staff Development Tracker.

What about the content of web pages? What's OK to put on my site?

The establishment of a page on the MCPS Web must have an educational purpose, which is defined as, "directly related to any instructional project, job, work assignment, task, or function for which the user is responsible." See Web Content Guidelines for details.
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May I use student photos and names on the web site?

The safest answers are, “Unidentified photos are OK,” and “First names only.” For details, see Web Content Guidelines.

Where can I get clip art that is OK to use on my web page?

Web Services has created the Digital Vertical File (DVF), an online database of clip art, photos, and more that you may use in any of your web pages, documents, or multimedia projects. Go to the Digital Vertical File.
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Technical Questions

Why doesn’t my FTP work?

This is usually due to one of the following issues:

• Did you use the correct syntax for entering your login? “internet\loginID”
• Do you have the correct password?
• Be sure that Host Name is www.mcps.k12.md.us
• Be sure that Host Type is “automatic detect”
• Firewall blocking
  • Personal: Your personal firewall settings may prevent FTP from working.
  • Employer: Companies usually have firewalls, as well.
    

Why don’t my graphics show up on my web page on the server? They work on my local computer.

Graphics that are part of a web page are not automatically uploaded to the server when you upload the web page. You must upload them to the server separately, making sure they go into the appropriate directory. If the directory structures on your local computer and the web server are not set up in the same way, or you have imported graphics from a directory on your local computer that is not part of your web site directory structure, the graphics will not show up on the site.
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How do I change my password?

A password update tool will be available in the future. For now, you cannot change your password.

What software should I use to do HTML editing?

Web Services recommends that webmasters who plan on using the MCPS Web Template purchase and learn a professional-level web authoring application such as Macromedia Dreamweaver. Microsoft FrontPage is able to implement advanced technologies such as Cascading Style Sheets and Server Side Includes (see Glossary) only by customizing the HTML code rather than using the graphical interface. However, FrontPage is a good entry-level HTML editor and is available to MCPS users through the MEEC agreement at no additional charge per computer. Webmaster Software.
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What type of graphic file should I use on the web? JPG? GIF?

In general, use JPG for continuous-tone images with gradations of color, such as photographs, and GIF for images with flat areas of color and crisp detail such as line art. Learn more at Webmonkey’s GIF vs. JPEG page.

How do I prepare graphics for the web?

Most digital photographs or images created for print are too large for use on the web. You will need to resize and optimize them with an image editing program such as the freeware application IrfanView for Windows, or GraphicConverter for Mac OS (MCPS has a site license), or something more robust, such as Adobe Photoshop. Preparing Graphics for the Web. | Webmaster Software.
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How do I move pages or content and not wreck my site?

Redirects are a great way to allow you to eliminate or move pages around to improve your site without frustrating your visitors. A redirect is like a “detour” sign that says, “The road is closed, but you can get to the same place if you go this other way, instead.” It’s easy, but you’ll have to get into your HTML code. How To Make and Use a Redirect.

How do I make my typeface match the MCPS Web template style?

The MCPS Web Template relies on a technology called Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to standardize the appearance of type. All pages that use the MCPS Web Template link back to a single document. This document says, in effect, “For body text, the first choice is black, 11-pixel Verdana. If the computer doesn’t have Verdana, then use Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, or any sans-serif font,” and so on for lots of other styles and headings. See the Type Treatments page for more examples. About Webmaster Training.

Learn more about CSS at Webmonkey’s Stylesheets Guide.
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Who can help me with one of your publishing tools? (NewsBox, CalendarBox, etc.)

Gail Horvath is the front line webmaster support person in Web Services. Gail can help you by phone or e-mail. Contact Gail, or send e-mail to webmaster@mcpsmd.org

How do I make my pages show up in the search engine?

The MCPS search engine by Verity Ultraseek/Inktomi is a web crawler that scans pages, reading both words on the page and hidden code. Establishing links to your page is the best way to get listed. The more links there are to your page, the higher your ranking in the search results. The search engine also relies on hidden information called meta tags. The most important meta tags are Title, Description, and Keyword, as well as the Alt Text (see Glossary) that describes graphic elements. About the MCPS Search Engine.

For information on how other search engines work, see Search Engine Submission Tips at SearchEngineWatch.com.
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How can I make my pages accessible to users with disabilities? (ADA/508)

The MCPS Web Template meets basic requirements for users with disabilities. The most important thing for you to do is to be sure that you include “alt tags” for all images. To learn more, see WebAim's Introduction to Web Accessibility, Considering the user perspective: a summary of design issues, Fast Track to Web Accessibility in 5 Steps, and Techniques & Concepts for more information on the topic of Acceesibility.

Why should I make a PDF and not just use a Microsoft Word document?

Adobe Systems’ Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) has become the World Wide Web’s standard format for sharing documents across platforms and applications with their original look and feel intact. Microsoft Word documents require your users to use a browser plug-in for Internet Explorer or have Word installed, which is common on business computers, but not as common on home computers. Adobe provides the free Reader application for many operating systems: Windows, Mac, Palm OS, Pocket PC, Linux, Sun, and more. About Adobe Acrobat Files | Webmaster Software.
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How do I make a PDF?

The free Acrobat Reader application is only for viewing PDF files. To make your own PDFs, you will need the full version of Adobe Acrobat. MCPS has negotiated volume licensing for Acrobat. Webmaster Software. See Adobe’s Acrobat Support page for “how-to” help.

How do I put my database on the web?

FileMaker is one way to use a systemwide database on the web. Built-in functions provide search and maintenance functions.
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How do I access e-mail from home?

There are links on the Staff page for web mail if you have internet access at home. Web Services is no longer involved in e-mail administration. Please contact the MCPS Help Desk for further questions about FirstClass or MS Outlook. Go to the Help Desk page.

Administrative Questions

How do I get advice if my web project is encountering problems?

Contact Chris Noonan Sturm, Web Services Supervisor, at Chris_Sturm@mcpsmd.org or call 301-517-5954 for a consultation.

Does Web Services maintain the entire MCPS Web?

No. Web Services creates the information architecture for the site and updates the home page and other critical pages on the site. We also take care of the servers, and create and supply technologies and tools that facilitate web publishing, enhance productivity, and promote interactivity. Web publishing is decentralized and office and school Web sites are maintained by more than 800 webmasters. See the Web Services Overview page for details.
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Is there a stipend for school webmasters?

School webmasters are a diverse collection of dedicated folks: from staff members who update sites in addition to their regular jobs, to parent volunteers, to students under the supervision of teachers. There is no official stipend for webmasters, but supervisors sometimes find another method of compensation.

How can I get a shorter URL for my site?

You may purchase a domain name and redirect or forward service from a commercial vendor. Usually these arrangements must be renewed annually. If you go this route, be sure to let Web Services know your entry page URL. Web Services does not support non-standard URLs in house at this time.
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Why shouldn’t I use Flash for my home page?

Can you assign different rights to a subdirectory in my site?