VFR Web Technology Update

June 8th, 2006 Posted by Bill Weye

In March, when I began the project of helping VFR get a new site off the ground, there were many problems with the Web systems that VFR uses. Today there are fewer of those problems, but they have been replaced by different ones.

Before I give you an update on the work of the Web committee, including accomplishments and issues that still need addressing, I would like to make a plea for your patience. The committee is essentially comprised of three people: Candace Clement, Seth Jackson, and myself. Our small, mighty group has many skills–though not all of the skills that would solve outstanding issues tomorrow (that is, if these problems were within our control); therefore, we are learning new things everyday to improve the VFR Web technology. Again, like everyone else at VFR, we are a volunteer crew. We’re doing our best to leverage the power of the Web in the best interest of the VFR.

I am not going to address the technical aspects of the Topica list, as I am not familiar with its intricacies, but I can tell you our plans and the status of our work. The ultimate goal is to dump the Topica list in favor of a moderated list hosted on our own server. This has not happened yet because of our server and the service from the hosting company is very poor; we are in the process of gathering information to make a decision about a new hosting company. The good news is that our server contract is only three months long (August 1 begins the next three month period).

Without getting into all the technical nuts and bolts of the situation, our server problems have shutdown all VFR email functions (thus no moderated email list and instead contact email addresses using Gmail). This is a disappointment to us all because it has hampered our Web development plans. You might notice that the site is sometimes extremely slow; that too is the result of our underperforming server, and has made us gun-shy about adding new features on this server.

Here is a partial list of our plans–always being revised with input from the VFR membership–for when the server situation is resolved:

  • start a dynamic calendar that will list meetings, events, and the programming schedule
  • have a moderated email list to replace Topica
  • allow members to have valleyfreeradio.org email addresses (depending availability)
  • have pages for each collective where programmers can write about their shows
  • a better streaming set-up
  • a show archiving system
  • set-up a project management system so VFR committees and collectives can track tasks of various projects

And I am sure there are others! The list is probably endless.

What have we accomplished so far? Well, for starters, you’re looking at it! Okay, the “look” isn’t that fancy (yet), but that will change in the not too distant future. Getting the content management system (CMS) running, with content from the old site in place, was a significant accomplishment (many thanks to those who have expressed their appreciation). We have an email system in place so emails are not bounced. Thanks to the work of Seth and others, we have VFR streaming over the Web. Meeting times, agendas, and minutes are now posted on the site. The VFR site can now take donations, and the site provided regular updates during the fund drive.

In closing, that is a brief status report of the Web Committee work. The Committee could always use help; in particular, I need help from someone who is very experienced in graphic design using Illustrator and PhotoShop. As I am working on both the programming and architecture of the site, it would speed the work if I could direct a graphic designer.

Thanks for your attention.

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