Guidelines for Web Pages Dripping Springs ISD

Design Considerations:

• When designing web pages, remember that you are designing for your viewers, not for yourself. Web pages should be previewed in popular browsers, including Netscape, Internet Explorer, America OnLine, and each of these in both Macintosh and Windows versions. Also keep in mind that not all viewers will have the same size screen or resolution as the designer and that modem connections limit download time.
  
• Since web pages are a continual stream of text and references to images, page layout should be as user-friendly as possible. Be aware that specific fonts may not appear as intended unless you are certain that the viewers all have that specific font. If a specific font or style is absolutely necessary, you may wish to save it as a graphic.
• Since some users may turn off graphics or some users may have web pages read to them, be sure to use alternate labels for image tags.
• Be certain that all pages have a page title that appropriately describes the page and links and images have Alt text for page readers.
• If you use Frames, you should consider allowances for users who do not or cannot view frames.
• Pages which require the use of Plug-Ins should include a link for the user to obtain the required plug-in.
• To design for the general public, preview with a screen resolution of 640X480.
• For images, a screen resolution of 72-96 ppi should be sufficient.
• It is suggested that for school colors, you use Maroon as #660000 and Gold as #FFCC00

File Sizes:

Keep file sizes as small as possible. Some sources suggest a file size limit of 50K for the entire page, with graphics no larger than 10K. If you need to reduce image size, here are some ideas.

• Reduce the image size. Just because you reduce the screen size of a graphic does not mean you reduced its actual file size. Use an image editing program to change the file size.
  
• Use thumbnails when appropriate for large or color-intense graphics.
  
• Reduce the number of colors used in the image and use the 216 Web-safe colors.
  
• Use a "Resource" folder to include common images once and have each page using that image refer to the image as needed, rather than have multiple copies of the same graphic on a page.
  
• Use GIF files for most graphics, only use JPEGs when accuracy and detail is needed (as in photos or detailed artwork)

Naming Conventions:

• Folders and files must be named consistently and correctly.
  
• Use proper upper or lower case characters, and do not use spaces in file names.
  For greatest compatibility, only use alpha characters, numeric characters, hyphens or underscores.
  
• Be sure all graphics files end in .jpeg or .gif. Web pages should end in .html.

Acceptable Use:

• Students in Grades K-8, will not be identified by name on public district web pages.
• Students in Grades 9-12 may, with written parent/guardian permission, be identified on public district web pages.
• Photos of students or groups of students will not be placed on public district web pages unless all students are approved as below.
• Photos of staff members may be used with permission.
• Student work may appear on public district web pages with written parent/guardian permission, under the guidelines described above.
• With written parent or guardian permission for all students involved, class or group web pages may be published that are only accessible through a username and password system. Names and photos of students may be placed on these pages and access information will be provided to the parents of students involved. Staff members sponsoring these pages will be provided training that outlines the establishment and maintenance of a secure website. Campus administrators will identify usage procedures for their campus.
• Links from DSISD web pages to sites outside the district will follow all guidelines for identification of DSISD students.
• Campus Web Development teams may develop additional requirements for their web pages.

Submission of Web pages:

Staff sponsors of web pages on DSISD servers will be responsible for ensuring that student identification procedures are followed and content is appropriate for DSISD web pages.

File and folder names must coordinate with overall site structure within the District site.

Links to teacher web pages not stored within the district site may be provided to the campus web sponsor or the campus technology coordinator for inclusion on the website, provided all other guidelines are met.

DSISD WebServer Structure and Guidelines

When creating a website, it is important to be aware of how each page must be linked in relation to other pages. The District webpage will contain a map that directs the viewer to each campus' home page. Please be aware of the following rules and guidelines to insure that each website fits inside the framework of the district website.

Your campus site must have all resources contained inside an appropriately named folder. For example, all GIF, JPEGs, rules, background pictures, etc. should be inside a folder(s) that can be uploaded when updated.

Your introductory page must have a link back to the district home page (www.dripping-springs.k12.tx.us or www.dripping-springs.txed.net)

Mail may be sent to instructors or webmasters and a generic account can be set up for web development. For example, we can create a mail account named HSWeb and all external mail will be sent to that account. Then mail for HSWeb will be internally forwarded to the instructor in charge of the high school site (without using the actual name of the instructor).

Links must not have spaces in the file or folder names. Upper/Lower case should match exactly. For example, graphics called Map.gif, MAP.GIF, map.gif could all refer to different files and may result in broken links.

View your pages on PC and Macintosh using Netscape and Internet Explorer to see how they will appear to the end user. Remember that style and functionality rule over pizzazz and glitz. Use standard coding or programs to create your pages for compatibility. Use GIF files wherever possible to conserve space and speed up page loading. Use JPEGs only when necessary.

• All filenames and folder names contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, or underscores (no spaces)
• All files are within the "local" web folder
• All web page filenames end in .html, unless they are FirstClass pages
• All image filenames end in .gif or .jpeg or .jpg and are saved in one of these formats
• The main page in the local folder is named index.html
• All pages have Titles and alternate names for readers
• All alignment and organization is done with tables or indents rather than spaces or tabs
• Each page has a Navigation Bar (or equivalent) that contains a link (at least) to the District, Campus or Local Home page
• All spelling errors have been corrected
• At least the local main index page has a "Last Modified " date
• Individual web page length is appropriate JPEGs are used only where necessary for photo-quality work
• All images are reduced to screen size and colors are minimized
• All color combinations help make the page readable
• Thumbnail images are used to preview larger graphic images
• If text is Copied and Pasted from another application, any special characters have been cleaned up (like "smart quotes")
• Permission slips (if appropriate under DSISD AUP) are on file
• All content and material conforms to DSISD AUP and Guidelines and is consistent with DSISD and campus Mission and Goals
• Sources are properly credited
• Ideally, the pages have been placed on a server, tested from another computer, and checked with Netscape, Internet Explorer, and AOL, under both Macintosh and PC versions

Questions, comments, or concerns:

The DSISD WebTeam welcomes your questions, comments, or any concern you may have about our web pages or the DSISD policies and guidelines for web pages.

Please contact us at: webteam@dripping-springs.txed.net

Last Updated January 5, 2004