NUI Galway Web Standards
Feb 2006 – Version 1
May 2007 – Version 1.1
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NUI Galway Mandatory Web Standards
Introduction
This document describes the mandatory Web Standards for NUI Galway Web sites.
These Standards apply to all organisation units:
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University Management Offices
Faculty Offices
Academic Departments
Administration Offices
Service Offices
Research
o Institutes
o Centres
o Technology Centres
o Units
o Others
Web Standards
1. Organisational Responsibilities
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Responsibility for each organisation unit’s Web site lies with the head of the
organisational unit.
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S/he must assign a Web Administrator who then will act as a point of contact
for the Web Services team. The Web Administrator will be trained on the
specifics of the University’s use of Web technology.
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Any organisation units which deals with stakeholders outside the University is
expected to create a Web site, which will at least meet a minimum requirement
for content as set out in section 3, below.
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An organisation unit’s Web site can be audited by the University at any time
but generally as part of a scheduled Web review, where adherence to NUI
Galway Web polices and standards will be evaluated.
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The University will provide a central Web support resource under the
leadership of the Director of Computer Services.
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NUI Galway Web Standards
Feb 2006 – Version 1
May 2007 – Version 1.1
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2. Layout
NUI Galway Web sites must use a Web publishing template. The NUI Galway Web
site employs a suite of different Web publishing template types that support university
branding and provide a consistent visual theme across the University Web site. The
templates will help you publish Web pages that adhere to Web Standards, Best
Practice, and conform to University Web Policies.
The Web publishing template suite (below), defines which Web publishing template
should be used for NUI Galway Web sites depending on their association with NUI
Galway.
(Supporting documentation – Web Publishing Template Guidance document – how to
use the Web publishing templates – currently being drafted)
Contact Web Services for further information – http://www.nuigalway.ie/web/.
Web Publishing Template Suite:
Departmental template
This template applies to organisation units’ Web sites that cater to a specific target
audience, such as outlined below. The template provides some flexibility to allow
the sub-site to establish a customised look and feel.
This template is the default template and should be used if you are unsure which
template to use.
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Departments
University Management Offices
Faculty Offices
Administration Offices
Services Offices
Research
o Institutes
o Centres
o Technology Centres
o Units
o Others
Cross organisational template
This template applies to discrete units of the Web site where third party
involvement has been recognised, such as the “www.deri.ie” or the
“www.remedi.ie”. The template has minimal constraints placed on the layout and
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NUI Galway Web Standards
Feb 2006 – Version 1
May 2007 – Version 1.1
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presentation of pages to allow for greater flexibility for the third party, while
maintaining a technical and brand connection with the University.
Personal template
This template applies to personal pages such as staff and student personal pages.
These pages should not contain the University logo but require a disclaimer, to
limit the liability of the University for content published on these pages.
Document template
This template applies to non-HTML Web pages such as RTF, PDF and Word
document formats. These documents should comply with the University house
styles, determined by the Office of the Vice-President for Strategic Initiatives &
External Affairs.
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NUI Galway Web Standards
Feb 2006 – Version 1
May 2007 – Version 1.1
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3. Content
Minimum Content Requirements
Each distinct organisation unit is expected to create a Web site with up-to-date
content, which will at least meet a minimum requirement for content, listed below.
Home page:
Introduction text explaining the function of the unit
Contact details:
Main point of contact for the unit
Staff details:
Details for each staff member including;
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Name
Job Title
Email
Phone
Location
Photo
Content Standards
The University's Web publishing templates satisfy all the technical requirements
for Web layout & content. NUI Galway Web sites must ensure that their content
meets the following standards. Please see the Web Best Practice Guidelines for
support for the following standards (currently being drafted).
Contact Web Services for further information – http://www.nuigalway.ie/web/.
Accessibility
Access by everyone regardless of disability and technical know-how is an
essential aspect.
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Images and animations: Use the alt attribute to describe the function of
each visual.
Image maps: Use the client-side MAP element and text for hotspots.
Multimedia: Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, and descriptions
of video.
Hypertext links: Use text that makes sense when read out of context. For
example, avoid "click here".
Page organisation: Use headings, lists, and consistent structure.
Graphs and charts: Create a summary where appropriate.
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Scripts, applets, and plug-ins: Provide alternative content in case active
features are inaccessible or unsupported.
Tables: Make line by line reading sensible. Summarise.
Check your work: Use W3C validators. http://validator.w3.org/
Accuracy
Information made available should accurately reflect University policies and
positions. Organisational units should avoid disseminating or duplicating
information for which they are not the primary source.
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What checks are in place to ensure the accuracy of information available
on your site?
Are you duplicating information that might be more accurately and
reliably obtained elsewhere?
Have you checked spelling on your Web site?
Usability
Usability is the measure of the quality of a user's experience when interacting
with the Web site.
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How quickly can a user who has never seen the user interface before
accomplish basic tasks?
Once an experienced user has learned to use the Web site, how quickly can
he or she accomplish tasks?
If a user has used the Web site before, can he or she remember enough to
use it effectively the next time or does the user have to learn everything
again?
How often do users make errors while using the Web site, how serious are
these errors, and how do users recover from these errors?
How much does the user like using the Web site?
Relevance
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Information made available should address the particular needs of
potential clients and users of the Web site. Information should be
presented in a user-focused fashion.
Will Web visitors discern a clear purpose for your Web site?
Does your site present an organisational viewpoint or structure that will
prove cryptic and un-navigable to users outside of your organisation?
Have you identified key categories of clients and users visiting your site?
Does your site present user-focused information addressing the particular
needs of each user group?
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NUI Galway Web Standards
Feb 2006 – Version 1
May 2007 – Version 1.1
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Does the information provided on your site reflect its position within the
University and its relationship to other sections of the University?
Current Content
Appropriate procedures and technologies should be employed to ensure that
the information made available is always up to date.
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Are visitors to your site being confronted by out of date information and
broken links?
What policies, procedures and technologies are in place to ensure that your
site offers only current information?
How frequently is each page on your site reviewed and updated
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What sign-off procedures are in place for content
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