Timeline Update II

This week has seen great progress on the project. The updated timeline of Completed and to do items is below:

Completed

• Concept Proposal
• Project Plan
• Research
• References - in text and list
• Content - 5 pages & notebook pages
• Flash Animation - tested in Windows: IE, Firefox, Netscape
• Web-Design - 5 main pages & 30+ Notebook pages
• Addition of missing links
• Solution to Flash audio fade-out
• SEO and Meta tags
• Final edit of content
• Final print version in .pdf
• References only in HTML
• Create Forum
• Build Site Map

To do

• Initialize 'Site Wide Search' Link
  
• Debug on Server testing all links (150+)
• Check on all browsers and screen resolutions (esp. Mac!)
• Final Proof of content
  
• Write one page summary

A successful solution was found to the audio fade-out in the flash animation by extending the last frame another 5 seconds.

The preformatted text for the html reference only page was problematic--I had trouble keeping the table width under control when I added the hypertext links to the online references. Very frustrating. I persevered though and now have a 'clickable' reference page that is true to APA Referencing styles, complete with hanging indents.


The site map came together fairly easily using links to all pages on my site as well as anchored links within the map to direct viewers to the various sections.

I created a forum using "Pro Boards" as a free host. There are 5 sections that correspond to the 5 pages on the site, offering visitor a chance to discuss, comment on and share relevant information on various aspects of synchronicity. I imagine it will take a bit of time to attract a participating audience though I think it will be insightful and fun.

I have used the meta-tags 'Title', 'meta name'='description' and 'meta name'='keywords' in the 'head' of the HTML for search engine optimization. These tags insure that search engines that recognize them will utilize the information and rank the page higher--equating with greater exposure and increased traffic.

My final tasks for this project focus around proofing, getting the search function to work (troublesome), testing and writing the one-page summary. I'm ahead of schedule and pleased.

Timeline Update

The following is an updated time line--what is complete and what is left to do.

Complete

• Concept Proposal
• Project Plan
• Research
• References - in text and list
• Content - 5 pages & notebook pages
  
• Flash Animation - tested in Windows, IE, Firefox, Netscape
• Web-Design - 5 main pages & 30+ Notebook pages
  

To do

• Addition of missing links
• Find solution to Flash audio fade-out
  
• More 'notebook' image links if time allows
• SEO and Meta tags
• Check on all browsers and screen resolutions
• Debug on Server testing all links (150+)
• Final edit of content
• Final print version in .pdf
• References only (page or .pdf?)
• Create Forum
• Build Site Map
  
• Write one page summary

I'm happy with the flash animation. (see screen shot on left) The only problem is that the audio at the end, although designed to 'fade out' is not fading out. Given the time restraints, I am going to work further on higher priority tasks--complete the project--and then return to the Flash-Audio dilemma. I think I need to make the animation itself longer to allow for the fade out but I am aware of it becoming too large a file--too lengthy to load.

Other concerns include finding a Mac to test the site. I will post a query on the discussion board next week to see if any of my classmates use a Mac and ask them to check the site. Also I'm not certain how to offer the 'reference only' text. .pdf is easiest and most universal though I know for myself that being able to cut and past references can be a great asset. At a minimum, the online reference links need to be active. I may put them in a 'notebook style' page with pre-formatted text so the hanging indents keep the APA reference style true. This should be simple though the CSS for pre-formatted text can be temperamental. I will work on that this week, along with the other tasks on the 'to-do list.

All in all, I am very happy with my project thus far.

Content & Design

The content for this project is 85% complete. I have broken it down into 5 different pages:

• Synchronicity--an introduction and short flash animation.
• Cause & Effect--an unravelling of how synchronicity evades a mechanistic world view.
• Myth & Meaning--how mythology contributes to our understanding of synchronicity.
• Dreams & Divination--a close look at the relationship between mind and matter.
• Quantum Views--Explores synchronicity in relationship to quantum theory.

Each of these pages link to simple 'notebook' style pages that elaborate on terms or offer definitions.


This complicates navigation enormously. Originally, I had the 'notebook pages' linking back to the main page until I realized that the reader may click on this hyperlink from a different page, say from 'Cause & Effect' and then click 'back' to find themselves on the main page and not the one they were reading! I have used the solution of 'click your browser back button to return to article' and also provided a 'home' button.

I am compiling the text only content of each page into one document that I will 'print' as a .pdf and link to my 'printable version' of the site. References, which are becoming extensive, will be in this document as well as in a 'reference only' link for those not wanting to view the .pdf but do want to check a reference.

Word count, surprisingly, is becoming a worry. If I include all the 'notebook' definitions (but not reference) it is climbing up to 5000 words with still the 'Quantum View' to be written. (about 1000 words) I'm not certain how to resolve this, as the website is actually an addition to my webpages. I could eliminate one of the topics (to conform with word count) but this would involve changing every menu bar on each page and then changing it back after the assignment was assessed. Another option is to offer my tutor the choice of reviewing 3 of the four sub-pages that interest her the most.

Writing CyberMedia Content

My content for this CyberMedia project is focused on the nature of synchronicity and will by necessity overlap other disciplines such as the notion of psyche and soma, mind and matter, the philosophy of quantum theory, mythology, folktale, intuition, Psi, divination and the collective unconscious. To keep each page relatively brief and still cater for viewers who may not be familiar with some words, concepts and symbols, I will be making extensive use of hypertext links. Linked words will open a 'notebook' style page with an explanation, definition and links to further study. I'm not yet certain how to incorporated these links into the 'printable version' which will be all the synchronicity pages in one .pdf document. Perhaps a glossary of terms? References will be included in the document though I may need to link to them specifically as well. I want the content to be easy to navigate, easy to understand and easy to use. The operant word is easy!

Mark Berstein offers an insightful article on 10 Tips for Writing CyberMedia which I have adapted to suit my project:

• Write for a Reason--to explore the concepts of meaningful coincidence from a multidisciplinary approach.
• Write Often--although the project will be due the end of November, I don't see it as static pages. Updating links, adding information and creating new pages will be part of the ongoing 'upkeep' of this project.
• Write Tight--This is a site for students and those interested in understanding the concept of synchronicity. It's not a mini-novel. I am editing for unnecessary words (especially adjectives) and looking to keep a consistent and scholarly voice.
• Make good Friends--solicit the aid of a critical friend for feedback, link to other sites of interest that may link back to me and offer a discussion forum for viewers to meet.
• Find good Enemies--readers do want to hear divergent approaches, disagreement and controversial theories. Present them, linking to well written sites that question my thesis.
• Let the Story Unfold--this may not seem applicable to a non-fiction project yet I do want to build, through the linked pages, an understanding of our current knowledge of synchronicity in a crescendo of non-linear writing, not a straightforward information dump.
• Speak Out--one of the consistent criticisms of my non-fiction writing in the past has been to take on a holistic approach such that the reader has no idea where I stand. I want the work to reflect current knowledge AND my orientation to that knowledge (as apposed to hiding in a diplomatic portrayal of everyone else's work.
• Be Aware of Cultural Bias--where in my work are issues of gender, race, ethnicity or educational-socio-economic background impinging? I need to read carefully against the text to test for lack of bias and judgement or to point it out where theories contain such bias.
• Use References and HyperText Intelligently--Many students have complained of getting lost in G21 or various assigned readings on the WWW. Navigation is important but also making certain, for this project, that links make sense, are easy to return from and add to the overall pages, not detract, confuse or diverge.
• Use an Authentic Voice for the Audience--I want to 'tell the story' of synchronicity in a way that brings insights and understanding through both visual, auditory, hypertext and textual mediums. I want to do this with a scholarly voice that is also warm, poised and intriguing. This last point on the list is probably my most challenging.
  

Project Plan

The Project Plan is due this Friday and my draft is well underway. Included in the plan are:

• Software considerations
• Hardware considerations
• Time line for project development
• Technical considerations
• Flow Chart for navigation
• Wire Frame design layout
  
• References

An important concern is making this series of pages integrate into and feel part of my main site (20 pages and forum) as the 'Synastry pages' will be part of my entire web domain. Below is a screen shot of my current home page that the 'synastry pages' will be linked from.

















The goal with the 'synastry pages' (screen shot of draft design below) is consistency in navigation, appearance and hierarchy of design. This will insure that viewers coming from my original pages will feel familiar, confident they are in the same 'space'.

View Project Plan in .pdf