Week 13 - Other options for creating websites

Google Sites

https://sites.google.com/

Very simple to use and lots of templates. Using a similar theme to previous web sites I created using free templates, I proceeded to create a website for "Manor House Eggs".

Start by Clicking on the Create button.

Start by choosing a template. There are heaps to choose from and once you select one you can easily customise it.

This is what it looks like with the basic information

To edit the current page or add a page to your site, use the buttons top right.

You can change the site layout or other site settings using the drop down settings menu.

After adding an image to my header, some text and image to the home page, this is what my website looks like.

Just another option for creating your websites. As mentioned before, all of these tools are so easy to use that you could end up creating a couple of sites and deciding which one to submit!!

I suggest that you write up your content and save it in a text editor. You could use Word, but you do need to be careful if you cut and paste and with some tools it will include the formatting, which will not look as good on the web as it does in Word.

Wordpress

The process to create a website with Wordpress is very similar to Blogger. You can create a simple website by using and modifying one of the free themes. Try and choose a theme that can be customised to look like a website easily. If you want to include any e-commerce on your page, you will have to pay and upgrade to a business account.

Once you have chosen a theme, you can add a header image and change the background colours.

Go into the settings and make sure that you change your front page to be the sample static page that comes with your theme. In my theme it is called About.

You can add pages using the option on the site Dashboard.

If you are after more information, there are heaps of YouTube videos as well as Blogs and tutorials on Wordpress itself.

Perfect Images for your site

Pixels and Resolution

It's all about the Pixels

You have all heard the term, but what actually is a pixel. This definition is from http://www.techterms.com/definition/pixel and defines the term in plain english.

The term "pixel" is actually short for "Picture Element." These small little dots are what make up the images on computer displays, whether they are flat-screen (LCD) or tube (CRT) monitors. The screen is divided up into a matrix of thousands or even millions of pixels. Typically, you cannot see the individual pixels, because they are so small. This is a good thing, because most people prefer to look at smooth, clear images rather than blocky, "pixelated" ones. However, if you set your monitor to a low resolution, such as 640x480 and look closely at your screen, you will may be able to see the individual pixels. As you may have guessed, a resolution of 640x480 is comprised of a matrix of 640 by 480 pixels, or 307,200 in all. That's a lot of little dots.

Each pixel can only be one color at a time. However, since they are so small, pixels often blend together to form various shades and blends of colors. The number of colors each pixel can be is determined by the number of bits used to represent it. For example, 8-bit color allows for 2 to the 8th, or 256 colors to be displayed. At this color depth, you may be able to see "graininess," or spotted colors when one color blends to another. However, at 16, 24, and 32-bit color depths, the color blending is smooth and, unless you have some kind of extra-sensory vision capability, you should not see any graininess.

Image Resolution

So why is resolution important? Depending on the what you will use the images for, you may need a higher resolution or a lower one. If you wanted to create a large poster, you need high quality images i.e. images with a very high resolution. If you are creating thumbnails for a web based image gallery, then the size of the image is not so important and you would probably want a lower resolution so that they load up quickly.

If you increase the size of an image with a low resolution, you will start to see the blocky pixels. It is best to get an image with a higher resolution and reduce the size. Here is an example:

The first image is at its full resolution 3648 X 2736 and is 3.74mb. On a side note - this file took ages to upload into Blogger.

This is displayed at Blogger's "Large" size.

The following is the exact same image, but displayed in Blogger at "Original Size"

This is the same image that I have reduced to 150 pixels wide X 113 high, displayed at "Large" size

and the same image at "Original Size"

When you search for images on the Internet, as well as Copyright issues, you also need to consider the resolution of the images.


http://2016civlicsmmm.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/session-4-introducing-pixlr-express.html


http://2016civlicsmmm.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/session-6-using-pixlr-web-based-editor.html

Week 12 - Online Website Builders

Where does one start!! There are many, many players in the FREE online website building category. Most of them have similar functionality and allow you to create websites for free using drag and drop technology. No need to code and if you need more than what is provided for free, many of these have upgrade packages available at an extra cost.

Under a free account, the free tools will give you a set amount of space and access and allow you to host your website with them under a subdomain. Many of them also allow you to also link your website with a domain name and will offer a variety of hosting options.

Domain Vs Subdomain

You can create and resister your own domain name - lots of different packages available and cost can be as little as a few dollars.

The following links will give you information about domain names and how to register

https://www.business.gov.au/info/run/advertising-and-online/register-a-website-name
https://www.auda.org.au/


http://www.domainregistration.com.au/
https://www.crazydomains.com.au/
https://au.godaddy.com/

A domain name could be:
www.michelehardy.com.au

The same website as a subdomain might be:
www.michelehardy.wix.com
www.michelehardy.blogspot.com.au

Free online website builders

Here is my list!

• Wix
• WebsiteBuilder
• IMCreator
• Sitebuilder
• Sitey
• Weebly
• Jimdo
• Site123
• Webs
• Webnode
• Yola

Wix

http://www.wix.com/

Website Builder

https://www.websitebuilder.com/

IM Creator

http://www.imcreator.com/

SiteBuilder

https://www.sitebuilder.com/

Sitey

https://www.sitey.com/

Weebly

https://www.weebly.com/au

Jimdo

http://www.jimdo.com

Site 123

https://www.site123.com/

Webs

http://www.webs.com/

Webnode

https://us.webnode.com/

Yola

https://www.yola.com/

Here are a couple in Action!

Wix

Webs

IMCreator

Activity 1

Select 2 of the above tools (or any other that you use or know of) and create a sample webpage.
Share your thoughts on the tools with your classmates.

Week 12 - Closing out report

Closing out the project

The main task at this stage is the handover of the deliverable, as scoped, to the client. At this stage you tick off the items and ensure that everything within the project has been finalised. The key areas of this stage are:

•     Client acceptance
•     Lessons learned
•     Celebrating success
•     Stakeholder debrief and evaluation
•     Closing out the project
•     Contract close-out

The ultimate aim of project management is to bring the project to a successful and complete conclusion. Hopefully, if you have done your job properly, this would have been closely monitored and evaluated against the predetermined criteria with little room left for ambiguity or missed expectations.

As well as delivering the project to your client, the project manager and team members should use this time to look back over the project for mistakes made and the lessons learned as a result. The final stage should involve:

•     Delivering the project’s objective, output or final result
•     Finalising all the administrative issues
•     Evaluating the project and the process

Do all project finish successfully? NO!!! Some projects

•     Fail to finish at all
•     Drift off in a non-scheduled (and non controlled) direction
•     Are superseded with newer ideas and supporters.

Class Activity

Can you think of an example of a project that has failed to finish? Which of the above reasons do you think apply to why the project failed to finish?


If a project is not going to be completed successfully, when do you terminate the project or decide that the project should not continue?

You can start by asking the following questions throughout the project:

•     Is the project still consistent with the organisational goals?
•     Is management enthusiastic about continuing the project?
•     Does the project enjoy cross-functional support?
•     Is there still a return on investment?
•     Are there better alternatives for the funds, time and personnel devoted to the project?
•     Is the project team still innovative?
•     Has the project lost any key personnel?
•     Can the deliverable be more efficiently purchased or subcontracted rather than being developed in-house?
•     Have any changes in the marketplace warranted the project’s outcome and/or termination?
•     Is the client satisfied? (Has client acceptance been obtained?)
•     Is the current project team properly qualified to complete the project?
•     Do other projects warrant higher priority?
•     Is the probability low that the outcome will be realised?
•     Are all the tasks finished?
•     Is the testing finished?
•     Are the training programs prepared and/or finished?
•     Is the supporting equipment installed and operating?
•     Are the documentation manuals finished?

Client Acceptance

The only stakeholder who can ultimately know whether the project is finished or not is the client. The process of acceptance should always be completed as formally as possible so that there is a comprehensive sign off on each and every aspect of the deliverable. This should include the following:

•     A written acceptance procedure;
•     A completion checklist;
•     Specification conformance;
•     Acceptance or performance testing; and
•     Final payment

Lessons Learned

Every project, whether successful or not, will generate a ‘lessons learned’. A lessons learned is just that – some practical wisdom that has been observed and hopefully acquired while working on the project.

Lessons learned can be both positive and negative from both mistakes and successes during the project.

Lessons learned must be documented and shared with the other stakeholders, perhaps in a project review document or final project report. The information can then be used when planning and managing future projects.

Celebrating Success

Every project has some success and success should be rewarded. Some of the ways that you can reward your project team are:

•     Introducing the team members to the client
•     Taking the team members out for a meal or coffee
•     Printing up some certificates
•     Formally appraising and recording the team members’ positive performance
•     Passing positive feedback on the team on to their line and/or functional managers
•     Getting all team members to give each other positive feedback on the tasks they performed
•     Giving the team members challenging duties and/or more complex project work
•     Channelling your personal feedback to the team members up the chain of command so a higher authority can be seem to be recognising their contribution
•     Recommending the team members for promotion as a result of their project achievement
•     Holding a PARTY for the team

Stakeholder debrief and evaluation

At the end of a project you need to bring the stakeholders together for a final debrief and evaluation of their contributions, feelings and outcomes.

The Client
You need to get feedback from the client:

•     Was the project delivered as specified?
•     Was the reporting documentation accurate?
•     Was the project delivered on time?
•     Were the communication channels kept open at all times?
•     Was the project delivered on budget?
•     Were all variations and scope changes addressed competently?
•     Was the project managed professionally?
•     Were the issues resolved in a win-win solution for all?
•     What improvements can you suggest with regard to how future projects are set up and managed?

The Stakeholders
Stakeholders are anyone with a vested interest in the project’s outcome. Each stakeholder should be questioned so that you gain an understanding of the project from their perspective:

•     Were you satisfied with your level of involvement in the project?
•     Were you always kept informed of the project’s achievements and failures?
•     What part did you play in the decision making processes
•     Could the consultation processes be improved?
•     What improvements can you suggest with regard to how future projects are set up and managed?

The Project Manager
The project manager has had a lot riding on their back throughout the project so you should take the opportunity to review their performance also.

•     Were you satisfied with you access to, and support from, the relevant stakeholders?
•     Do you believe you had sufficient time, budget and resources to complete the project?
•     Did you have the appropriate level of authority, power and responsibility?
•     Was the project team appropriately skilled?
•     Do you require any additional training?
•     How effective were your leadership skills?
•     How effective were you at motivating and rewarding the team?
•     What improvements can you suggest with regard to how future projects are set up and managed?

The Project Team
You should meet with the project team one last time and get feedback as they were the ones doing the main work.

•     Was your workload appropriate?
•     Were all the disputes resolved amicably?
•     Were all decisions reached through consensus?
•     Did your level of skills reflect the nature of the tasks you worked on?
•     How would you describe the project environment in which you worked?
•     How would you describe the project manager you worked for?
•     Did you always have sufficient information, time, resources and money to make the decisions you were required to make?
•     What improvements can you suggest with regard to how future projects are set up and managed?

The Close-out Report
The close-out report should be a summary of the highs and lows, success and failures, of the project through the concept , outline, progress and outcome stages. It should address the project performance, administrative performance, organisational structure, project teams, and project management techniques.

Contract Close-out
If you have entered into any formal contracts during the project development, such as maintenance contracts, client contracts, warranties etc., you will need to make sure that these are closed off and/or signed off.

Week 11 - Using Bloggr to create a website

Blogger

Today we would look at our first web page creation tool because it is one that most of you are already familiar with - Blogger!!  If it is not one that you have used, you are still familiar with it because it is one that I use.

https://www.blogger.com/

Once you have logged in etc., you can start by creating a new Blog

 
At this stage, it really doesn’t matter which theme you choose as you can change and customise it at any time.

Once you have selected your theme, you can customise the colours, background images, fonts and page layout. Once you are happy, save and return to Blogger.



Click on Layout.

In Layout mode, you can add, remove or edit any of the “gadgets” that are on your page. This allows you to customise your “web page”.

If you want to include additional pages, select Pages from the left navigation pane.

Click on New Page for each page that you want to add. The title will be what will appear on your navigation. Make sure you PUBLISH them when you are happy.

Once you have pages, you can include the “Pages” gadget to create a simple navigation system.

 

Here is a preview of my Blogger website:

 

 

So you might ask about using your own domain name rather than something .blogspot.com. Well with Blogger, you can.

Go into Settings and change the Publishing Settings if you would like to use your own domain name. You can register a domain name at a variety of places on the Internet. Prices do vary!!