Presentation and Prototype
PresentationAs stated by Sir Feria, the project presentation should be in flash format and with voice overs. We should not have any problem with this, except for time.
I'll take care of the "flashing." We have Frank for voice overs. What more can we ask for?
(Actually, a lot.. content and flow of presentation)
PrototypeUVLe prototype is 90% complete.
Best case: done by tomorrow.
Worst case: by Wednesday.
Nightmare: beyond Wednesday.
Hell: *Buck*
Decisions, decisions
We have been faced to decide whether to extend
Moodle, an open source content management system written in PHP designed for classroom applications, or whether to create an altogether new one. Not included in the choices is the extension of the current UVLE, due to the decision of the Computer Center (too much hassle of maintenance, perhaps?)
With these choices, we have opt to go for the creation of an application from scratch, and instead of using PHP, the group opted for Java. The reasons of such decisions will be stated below.
Reasons why the extension of Moodle is not an option:
1.) There are many features that are expected from UVLE that are not in Moodle, many enough to discourage extension. This means that extension requires a decent amount of work. The effort is two-fold since a.) the developers must learn the code styles and engineering , and b.) after learning, the developers must code an approximate 40% of the current Moodle application.
2.) The developers are more familiar and are more specialized with Java and J2EE, and thus the developers can create better web applications.
UVLe View Layer
I've been making the design for the UVLe web pages since 2nd week of July, 2005.
Primary Goals of the new page design:
1. easy navigation
2. visually the same as TUTOR
I was thinking of using frames but most web designers (including some of the engg web team members) do not recommend the use of it. I did my research and weighed the advantages and disadvantages of using frames considering the UVLe design primary goals.
Disadvantages:
1. Many search engines cannot index framed sites.
- I dont think users of UVLe will use search engines to find UVLe.
2. Non-frames capable browsers
- I dont think users of UVLe are using such browsers. Computer rentals normally use frames-capable browsers
3. Internal linking
- I can manage the "tedious" job of properly linking framed pages
4. Printing
- I dont think UVLe has printable contents. Also, UVLe users can just copy the desired content to be printed to a word processor and print it there, and not print the entier page which contains graphics. Most internet users do this.
5. Bookmarking
- UVLe users will most likely bookmark the login page, which is not framed.
6. Frames require more effort
- As the designer, i dont mind the complexity of coding framed sites as long as users can navigate the site with ease.
Advantages (advantage):
1. Frames provide better site exploration
- this is primary goal number 1.
- this is what users really want
So, what do you think?
