The FAQ

Here are some of the more Frequently Asked Questions regarding publishing Web sites on the District's server. If you have a question you would like to see added to this list, please send it to Chris at <cburch@madison.k12.wi.us>.

1. Web Sites At MMSD: 1.1. How do I or my school/department get a home page?; 1.2. What do you mean by Web Author, Editor and Publisher?; 1.3. This seems pretty involved. Can't I just put up my classroom's Web page at (a server somewhere else)?; 1.4. How often is the Web Publishing Course offered?; 1.5. I already know how to make Web pages. Do I need to take the course?
2. Creating Web Sites: 2.1. Why do I need to learn HTML when I can just use (FrontPage/Netscape/MS Word/Claris/etc.)?; 2.2. How important is accessibilty on the Web?

1. Web Sites At MMSD

1.1. How do I or my school/department get a home page?

First of all, all of the schools already have "generic" pages, which are created from information principals give to MMSD's Public Information Office. These pages list basic info, and were created with the cooperation of Home Savings Bank as part of their "At Home In Madison" program. These "generic" pages are relatively static, and are listed on the School Web Sites page.

In order to create a more personal Web site for your school/program/department, that you are in charge of, you or someone on your staff must take the Web Publishing Course offered by Staff & Organization Development. If a class is currently being offered, you can sign up for it by following this link.

The course consists of 17.5 hours of in-class participation and 4.5 hours out of class. Successful completion of the course makes you or your staff member a Certified Web Publisher and Editor. See the next question for more about Authors, Editors and Publishers.

Teams from schools/programs/departments are encouraged to take the course together. Web site maintenance can be a lot of work, and a team approach can usually be very beneficial.

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1.2. What do you mean by Web Author, Editor and Publisher?

These roles are explained fully at this page, but briefly:

An Author creates the page, with or without HTML. Anyone at all, including students, parents and other volunteers can be Authors.
An Editor either converts the page to HTML or ensures that the Author's HTML follows District guidelines. Then s/he submits the Author's files to a Publisher. Anyone with a valid MMSD e-mail address can be an Editor.
A Publisher ensures that an Editor's HTML follows District guidelines. Then s/he publishes the submitted files onto the Web server, where everyone on the WWW can view them. Only Staff members can be Publishers.

Obviously, one person can play all three roles for a set of Web pages.

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1.3. This seems pretty involved. Can't I just put up my classroom's Web page at (a server somewhere else)?

Sorry, no. District policy states that "Web pages representing a MMSD school shall reside on the District's Web server." The District wants to be sure that all Web pages representing MMSD activities are accountable for their appropriateness, and pages on other servers cannot be accountable, even with the best intentions.

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1.4. How often is the Web Publishing Course offered?

It is normally offered once each semester and 2-3 times during the summer.

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1.5. I already know how to make Web pages. Do I need to take the course?

Currently, yes. However, if you can show the instructor(s) Web pages which adhere to District guidelines, and which display the specific HTML skills class participants need to learn, you only need to come to the first session and to the session where you learn the specific mechanics of publishing pages onto the District's server. Everything else can be done through e-mail.

For the specific HTML skills one needs to know, please see the Course Exit Tasks.

Note that if you do this, you will most likely get full credit for the full 4.5 hours for out-of-class work, but not the full 17.5 hours for in-class participation.

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2. Creating Web Sites

2.1. Why do I need to learn HTML when I can just use (FrontPage/Netscape/MS Word/Claris/etc.)?

While HTML editing software makes generating Web pages very easy, the majority of programs create syntactically wrong HTML. This can cause problems for people using browsers you might not be aware of, such as screen reading or brailling software used by visually impaired people. Microsoft products can also make Web pages that have problems in Netscape, and vice versa.

Also, you will have much more powerful Web design skills if you fully understand HTML. You are then able to "tweak" the output of an HTML editor. And, if you find yourself without an editor available, you will still be able to maintain a Web page using only your brain.

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2.2. How important is accessibilty on the Web?

As a public institution, funded by public money, we want to make our Web sites as accessible to the entire population we serve. Therefore, it has a fairly high priority.

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