Moderator decline or posting update
ALWAYS include actions taken or reason in about tab by filling in comment on route page.
Events
Events should be entered into the calendar and not posted into CMS as postings. A CMS posting may be approved in the following circumstances: statewide or large event with a large amount of additional quality information or attachments, or news article worthy.
Evaluation criteria: Calendar is used to announce events, cms should only be used for quality information.
Moderator steps: Decline posting and prompt user to create a calendar entry.
Attachments
Attachments should not be used to convey text based information. Attachments should be used only for the following: Items with special formatting or charts, number publications, user fillable forms, brochures (some cases) and newsletters.
Evaluation criteria: Does attachment convey information that is easily put into a posting? (then decline)
Moderator steps: If easily fixable, fix posting and email user link to updated posting. If using attachment on multimedia/publication template when should have made a default posting, decline with email to user.
Multimedia/Publication Template
Should only be used for numbered publications, audio & video files, newsletters (4H) or stand alone attachments. For the most part newsletters should not use this format and should put the information in a default posting. If use PDF need to include topics covered.
Contest or event results should use default posting not m/p template.
Descriptions should informative and not repeat the title or attachment name. For newsletters should list topics covered.
Video files – If no FLV version is attached. Make one and add it.
Moderator steps: Wrong type of file attached or incorrect template usage, decline and email user, they may need you to delete the original to post a new one. If description not good, try to fix the description and notify the user (what the prob is, steps to fix and prompt to resubmit), include comments in about tab. If user is a repeat offender and has failed to make changes requested by moderator, moderator should decline posting rather than fix it.
Default Template
When posting results or after comments on an event or contest, posting should reflect quality information about the event and benefits to participants and community.
Connected pages
When people make connected page, sunset must be less than or equal than original. Only communications can set sunset later than 1 year. Pages connected from the news channel should have 3 month sunset date.
Moderator steps: Fix dates before approving. Do not decline.
Formatting
Moderator should apply sweeper feature to postings with improper formatting. Special fonts and layouts are not allowed. Underlining and bold should be used sparingly.
Moderator steps: Fix before approving and educate user. If posting is too badly formatted and needs major revamping then decline.
Email Links
Do not put email address in posting. Hyperlink name to author page.
Moderator steps: Fix address if possible, email user for future. Do not decline.
Hyperlinking
If possible hyperlink items in articles to relevant CMS topic areas. External links should use _New window. Internal links should use same window.
Moderator steps: Fix link target, do not decline.
Newsletters
For the most part newsletters should not use the multimedia/publication format and should put the information in a default posting. If use PDF need to include topics covered. Training coordinator recommends that newsletters should be entered as anchored link text and not as PDF attachments. Examples of GOOD newsletters include: E-Directions Newsletter, Sugarcane Newsletter, Master Gardener Newsletter .
A new newsletter template is recommended to be developed that would have topic/content boxes similar to the author pages. Topics would have automated anchor links.
Parish Content
Parish channels should contain parish specific content and connected content from topic areas should be limited. Parishes should instead make an article that connects why this content is important and link to it.
Publications
Check publication dates on attached publications. If publication date is old check with Penny as publication may be updated.
Image Gallery
Must put introduction text that fully describes the event or the reason for the pictures. Captions should be encouraged when possible. These are very important and only in rare occasions should captions not be required.
Parish Web sites
Expected content for parish web sites: … use sub-portal, have 4 intro articles. Parish specific welcome text for top of sub-portal that is inputted by CMS Moderator.
1) About the parish (crops, major attractions)
2) History of Extension in the parish
3) Mission statement, goals and objectives (about our parish office)
4) Programs and Services offered in the parish
For portals possibly use topic like entry pages (see lawn and garden). Keep right column with latest, ads and calendar. For Topics box, put Parish intro text. For Tabs area, Statewide News (pulls from channel populated by IT/Communications to cover things like hurricane prep, swine flu, etc.). Multimedia tab for parishes, have tobie make generic audiocast about extension programs in general if parish doesn’t have any multimedia. Utilize communications field day videos and other available video for these tabs.
Program(sub-topic) Channels
1) Summary of program/services. Example: 4-H would list: In School Clubs, Shooting Sports, Junior Leader
Notes from Sandy Meeting
Parishes – topic portal look
Topics box, intro to parish text, moderator controlled
Right col – calendar, 4-H graphic, latest (list articles)
Tabs box – Features tab (list sub-topics), Contact us tab (list programs and contacts)
About Bad Text
One reason this text is considered bad is the underlined text, for no apparent reason. The headings are also different colors, sizes, and type styles. There are multiple font sizes in the body text and various spacing between lines. There is even highlighted text! If the page is hard to read, that is a clear sign that the formatting of the text should be reviewed before publication.
Why do people submit postings with text looking this bad? Well, there are multiple reasons. One reason may be they just don't think it looks bad, well it does! Another reason and probably the most accurate is that they know someone will fix it for them. While that is true, it is not a good reason to not fix it yourself. One bad posting can add hours to the queue of other postings. Just think how long the wait may be if ten postings are bad, or even twenty. This is why it sometimes takes a few days for even the most perfect posting to be published. So, please correct your postings before submission.
Solutions for Bad Text in Postings
The main thing when copying and pasting text from a MS Word document is to copy the text in Word and pasted into CMS using the red W in the tool bar (above)
The red W removes all the formatting from MS Word and allows the CMS style sheet to apply it's settings to the posting.
If that does not remove all the formatting you can use the Sweeper tool in the tool bar. It looks like a broom sweeping over a piece of paper. Click the drop down and start at the bottom of the list at "span tags". Continue selecting each option, moving from bottom to top until you reach "Microsoft word formatting". You should not ever need to select the top option, "All HTML Codes".
4. If you have an issue with the "numbered list" option, such as having the numbers appear twice, try removing the typed number in Word before you copy and paste the text. After the text is pasted in CMS then select the area you would like the numbered list to appear and click that option.
The same applies to the bullet options.
- The problem is when you paste text in CMS from Word, the numbered list and the bullets do not cross over well. The bullets become periods and the numbered list becomes just text. If you remove the bullets and numbers in Word you can simply reapply that option within CMS edit mode.
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About the Help Desk
The LSU AgCenter Help Desk is a resource AgCenter personnel may utilize to obtain assistance or guidance with computer support needs. The Help Desk is open for business and staffed by undergraduate students from 8am through 4:30pm Monday through Friday excluding holiday’s. A Help Desk representative may be reached either by phone at (225) 578-8534 or e-mailing itsupport@agcenter.lsu.edu .
As an employee you may find yourself needing assistance with a variety of computer related needs, such things as setting up new computer equipment, resetting passwords, fixing old computer equipment, installing or using software packages, installing or using certain computer hardware components such as external backup devices, obtaining guidance on purchasing equipment, using or deploying a PowerPoint presentation, obtaining access to network file storage, and a host of other needs that develop while you’re trying to work on your computer.
Tips for Managing Your E-mail Account
Tips for managing your e-mail account if you plan to be away and not checking it regularly
1.Change your email password before you leave so that it does not expire before you return by visiting www.lsuagcenter.net, logging in and clicking the “click here to change your password” link at the top of the page.
2. Setup password recovery so you can easily recover your password if you forget it when you return.
3. Archive all email in your mailbox so it does not exceed size limits . Click here to learn more about manually archiving email in Outlook 2007.Click here to learn more about manually archiving email in Outlook 2003.
4. Set an out of office reply message (by clicking on the Tools menu, and choosing Out of Office Assistant) so that people who do send you email get an automatic response letting them know you are unavailable. Test it by having someone send you email before you leave.
5. If you will not be checking email for more than two weeks, send an email to itsupport@agcenter.lsu.edu letting them know how long you will be out so they can make sure your don’t miss any email because your mailbox is too full.
If you need assistance with any of these things, contact the IT Support desk at 225-578-8534 or your Regional Tech.
Written: Jay Keim
What are Sunrise/Sunset Dates?
Each posting has a sunrise and a sunset date. The AgCenter CMS will automatically place the date and time that the posting was created as the sunrise date. This is the moment when the create article button was clicked. The Sunset date should be set to one year after the sunrise date. One year is the maximum amount of time allowed before a posting must be reviewed and resubmitted or expired.
When a posting reaches the sunset date, it is removed from the public’s view of the site. It is, however, still available through the archive manager for the channel in which it was posted. The author of the posting is notified via Email of the expiration and is given the option to resubmit the posting for continued publication if the content is still valid and valuable.
Why Do I Need to Add User Keywords?
User keywords are the most under utilized aspect of CMS. While keywords are no longer essential to the search capabilities of the Website, they can improve the chance of visitors finding a posting.
Keywords are terms – typically nouns – that describe the essential elements, themes or topics of a posting. It is up to the author to input all terms necessary to cover the central ideas and topics of the posting’s content. Keywords are especially needed in postings that have attachments, since search engines cannot scan the text of pdf, audio or video files.
The secret is to anticipate the terms an individual would enter into a search engine to find that type of content on the Internet or on LSUAgCenter.com.
Since search engines will check the text of a posting in CMS, it is not necessary to use the same words that are in your posting. What you need to do is consider words that are NOT in your posting.
All keywords must be separated by commas. They can be deleted with the backspace and delete keys on a keyboard.