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Department of Computer and Information Sciences launches new Web site in accordance with departmental goals
ETSU's Department of Computer and Information Sciences designs Web sites for clients, sometimes as student projects, sometimes through its Emerging Technology Center (ETC). Finally, this hardworking department has designed a new Web site for itself, going online Feb. 6.
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences has not been without a Web site; however, in the past, has had a problem in keeping the online content fresh. "I guess the most exciting thing about the site is the fact that for the first time in several years there is going to be fresh and relevant content on the site," Novak said, "and there is a plan in place to keep it that way."
The Web site is a product of the ETC, the on-campus business which allows students to work on projects for real clients, in this case the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, she said.
"One of the things we want to do with our Web site is to promote ETC," said Novak, "and showcase that ETC made this site."
The ETC began last fall when Novak was hired as the Special Projects Coordinator. Now having the Department of Computer and Information Sciences as a client, Novak will be receiving the requests for updates to the site and the students will be in charge of the maintenance.
The Web site was one of the first projects for the ETC. Last fall, Graduate Assistants Ihab AbuZayda and Josh Banks became the pioneer workers for the program and began the planning.
One of the first projects these pioneers undertook was hiring graphic designing company, Wyandt Design, to establish a new logo for the department which can be seen on the new site, Novak said.
"I think the logo is important because it is unique to the department," Novak said. "It sets us apart from other departments but also makes it clear we are a part of ETSU, not only in stating that fact, but also by using the ETSU colors."
After hiring the design company the ETC then began working on a template, she said, making the pages uniform and easy to navigate.
AbuZayda was familiar with the steps in the planning phases because this is the second Web site that he has worked on. Last year the ETC worked for the Tennessee Technology Center in Elizabethton to create its Web site. The Center was so pleased with the work, the ETC has been asked to maintain the site in the future.
"ETC is really nice because it gives us the real world experience," said AbuZayda. "We get people management, time management, have to meet deadlines and please our audiences," he said. "It really helps in the transition to the real world."
Working on these Web sites have not only helped AbuZayda's transition into the real world but also influenced it. After graduation this spring he will be joining his fellow graduated pioneer, Banks, in a position at Eastman. "I used the Web sites as my second primary experience on my resume," he said. "I think they were very impressed with the work I had done."
AbuZayda's work on the Computer and Information Sciences site includes adding sections for specific audiences. The Web site boasts sections containing information sections for current students, faculty and staff, alumni and friends and business and community.
There is also a section for prospective students. "A big goal for the department is to attract new students," she said.
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences has a lot to offer students, Novak said. And the Web site, she said, will help them be able to get the information they want and need.
Although the Web site is now live on the Internet, Novak said it will be an ongoing process. Workers in the ETC are researching other schools' Web sites to see what is happening in other university departments, and to help keep their site up-to-date with the trends of the Internet. "It will be a steady project," Novak said, "constantly changing."
There are lots of plans, she said. The first change to the Web site will be in the homepage. "The homepage will be is what is called dynamic," said Novak. Every time a user visits the Web site different information will be shown on the page.
The faculty and staff in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences filled out surveys this fall, said Novak. Questions varied from "Where's the best sweet tea in town?" to "What's your life philosophy," she said. "The server now has the profiles in a database and will randomly choose fun facts about our staff, faculty, and eventually students, to display on the homepage," she said.
Eventually more of the site will be made dynamic to keep information new and exciting in hopes of encouraging users to continue visiting their site, Novak said. "We want to form a sense of community between the faculty and students."
She would like to form a community between the alumni as well. There are plans to have a place on the site where graduates of the Computer and Information Sciences program can log-in to keep in touch.
"We'd also like the Web site to have a 'just for fun' page, where students can attach pictures and write about fun trips they've gone on, and such," Novak said. "And we really need to have a separate ETC Web site."
Overall, the staff in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences and members of ETC is excited about the launching of their new product, Novak said. "This is phase one of a multi-phase project," Novak said, "and we're pleased to have the most important information published with this launch."
"Future phases include both student and faculty involvement and will have special features that everyone will enjoy," she said. "So stay tuned to find out more."
—Article by Anna Marie Ricciardi, Junior, Mass Communications
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