[dissent-tech] web changes

[revolting]

I think the changes are really helpful. I've got a few other suggestions about how to make the site a bit easier to use and a little easier to navigate. Seeing as I *still* haven't gotton around to getting an access code or trained up on how to become an administrator (I did kind of try, actually, but time ran out with having to do other, more pressing things at the gathering) I'm not sure if my comments are being taken as useful comments or as an obnoxious "you lot should be doing it like this." I hope its the former rather than the latter. Please feel free to let me know if suggestions such as these are unhelpful.
 
1) I think the look of the homepage would be greatly imporved if the distinction between articles was made clearer (perhaps each one being in its own little box) and if the article followed a standard format in terms of look. For example, the headline could all be in 12 point Ariel Bold, the name of the author and date of posting in 8 point Ariel, and the body of the article in 10 point Tahoma (just a random example, by the way). The site might look a bit less "messy" then. I really think the IMC UK site is a good model here. Lots of articles, lots of info, but the subsections and various stories are clearly defined from one another.
 
2) I'm confussed as to why the info under "Get Involved" is not under the "Convergence Info" sub-section. I'd say that the "Get Involved" section should read something like this:
 
"The 2005 G8 Summit is rapidly approaching. Preparations are well underway, but there is still an enormous amount left to do. Now is the time to get involved! Dissent! is a network of autonomous local groups, based in towns and cities across the UK and further afield. The best way to get involved is to contact your local group. A list of Dissent! Network affiliated local groups can be found here [INSERT LINK]. If you are based in Ireland [INSERT LINK TO IRISH DISSENT! NETWORK], German-speaking parts of Europe [INSERT LINK TO GERMAN LANGUAGE SITE HERE], the Netherlands [INSERT DUTCH MOBILISATION SITE HERE], France [INSERT LINK TO FRENCH MOBILISATION HERE], or Greece [INSERT LINK TO GREEK ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN MOVEMENT SPECIAL G8 SITE HERE], contact your local mobilisation and find out how to get involved.
 
Dissent! also consists of a number of Working Groups focussing on different aspects of the mobilisation - from action planning to practical logisitics. Get involved with the particular aspect of the mobilisation which most interests you, or that you think you have the most to offer. A list of Working Groups is available here [INSERT LINK TO WORKING GROUP LIST HERE].
 
In particular, help is needed with the Convergence Centre (more info here: [INSERT LINK TO THE CONVERGENCE INFO SECTION HERE]) and fundraising. A list of tips on how to fundraise, and methods of paying money into the Dissent! bank account are available here [INSERT LINK TO FUNDING SECTION].
 
The Convergence Centre will be an open space to come along, meet others and plan action! Come along as early as possible, bring your own ideas and any resources you think might be useful and get involved!"
 
All the info currently in the "Get Involved" section could then be put in the "Convergence Info" section under the information that is already there.
 
3) Just to make it a little clearer, in the "Contact Us" section, it'd maybe be good to change the bit saying "International Networking: info-g82005 at riseup.net" so it just says "If you are based outside of the UK, for more information contact: info-g82005 at riseup.net" just 'cos international networking is a little ambiguous.
 
4) In the "Sections" section, can there be a link to the Days of Dissent: Reflections on Summit Mobilisations magazine. Perhaps the whole title of the magazine could go in there, or just Reflections on Summit Mobilisations, if there's not room. The domain is: www.daysofdissent.org.uk
 
5) I think the "look" of the site would be much improved by making the banner at the top a bit more funky. The little graphic in the top right hand corner is a little odd and the font could be a bit more exciting. I'll see if I can find a nicer font and a picture to suggest as the banner. Or we could all ask around amongst any designers to see if anyone's up for sorting out a nice banner.
 
That's all. Again, hope its more useful than annoying having someone without access posting to this list.
 
See you all in Notts!

Jonathan Oppenheim <J.Oppenheim at damtp.cam.ac.uk> wrote:
A fair bit has now changed on the website, including a
convergence info section, wishlistt additions, contact us page, etc.
And more sectioning, e.g. "Get Involved" has many of the
resources for members of the network, including the 
"Adminstrator" link, and "Resources, is to be a starting
point for our resources (right now, mostly just document downloads),
but should include g8 resources.

It is just a start, and hopefully people can start to link up some
of the sections that were taken down.

I find the static pages for sections more easy on the eye than the
news sections which often become a mess. Hopefully nothing has been
fucked up, so please let me know if things should be changed.

xj

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