[nagdu] NAGDU Website

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Er...  Could someone do me a favor and check what is currently displaying on
the www.nagdu.org website at present?  I've checked it with both my
computers, but I need someone to look at it not going through my network.
If you "see" what I'm seeing currently, send cusswords off list, since there
may be children present in other households. /grin/

Here's what's gong on, in brief:

1.  We need upgrades to the site for the new Hotline as well as for other
features and functions;
2.  My computer is functioning at nearly double its expected lifespan, which
means it is barely functioning.  I hear I'm getting a new one for Christmas,
but in the meantime...  
3.  I've cleared a bunch of, er, bleep off my list and the NAGDU site is now
my #1 priority
4.  I've spent the past couple (er... few?) weeks learning the on-line
interface for site management and investigating options for making the
overall maintenance of the site really efficient so that we can move forward
and implement the excellent ideas our members suggest and add other
improvements and content quickly and easily.
5.  Towards that end, I've recently started learning a new thingamagig to
make that possible so that I can make changes efficiently on the server
without crashing my once-magnificent computer trying to use my well-known
efficiency software...
6.  Since my computer can no longer do the heavy lifting, I'm doing the
absolutely positively Number One thing a knowledgeable (and formerly
professional) designer/developer should never *ever* do:  Developing a site
upgrade on the server instead of on my own computer. Using a new (to me) set
of tools that others have used well on the same server, but that I'm still
learning...

As I go along getting the site as is up and running but manageable, I will
have to ask some indulgence...  Howeer, I also ask for feedback while
certain areas may not be working.  So I can drop everything and fix it, as
soon as I know how!

That being said, when I've done my bit and have things set up (again) so
that everything works -- the site that is displayed and the back end that
makes it work properly, We should be able to make changes, add new sections,
do editing of existing content and a number of other things on a quick
turnaround basis, like same day or next day unless it's something really
complicated.  Even then, it should go much more quickly.  Others have had
good success with the goodie I am using on the same server with the same
interface, so I have high hopes.

One major change that is taking place is that we have decided to create a
website committee to oversee and maintain the site.  Several people have
volunteered their services and offered excellent ideas at the same time.  So
I'm working really hard to update my knowledge and skills and arrange things
so that we can work teogether to take a large, rich site and coninue to
build it together as NAGDU moves ahead.

Okay, I gotta get back to work!  While I'm working, I want all of you to
please feel free t contact me, on or off list (off list:
tamara.8024 at comcast.net or guidedog at comcast.net) to point out things you see
that need to be changed or corrected while I get the site as it is running
under the new system...  Once that part is done, I will start trolling for
new ideas -- and asking for feedback from the boar and voting members on
some ideas that have been raised over tiem.  You know, pools, surveys...

Just let me learn to use them first!  And add what some really great
volunteers (whom I intend to coopt and put to work within an inch of their
lives!) have been suggesting and providing.

NAGDU has been doing some great work over the past couple of years, and with
the hotline being readied to put into place, I am looking forward to
finishing up these last steps toward creating a web site that will keep up
with the growth and changes.

Tami Smith-Kinney