In working with the templates and presenting upper level University pages, these basic page design principles should be followed:

1. All pages and page elements (including applets, Javascripts and form functions) must be compatible with Netscape, Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, and with AOL 5.0 or higher;
   
   
2. Avoid blinking or flashing elements, especially multiple flashing elements on a single page. They are not consistent with the quality of the University Web pages and are not ADA compliant;
   
   
3. All graphics, sounds, movies and other non-text elements should have alt-tag descriptions associated with them to ensure ADA compliance;
   
   
4. Wherever possible, use stylesheets rather than page properties to define HTML text (see working with CSS styles);
   
   
5. Avoid placing external links (links outside of the wpunj.edu domain) on departmental level pages;
   
   
6. Reserve links named "Homepage" for links returning to the main University homepage (www.wpunj.edu);
   
   
7. HTML text lines should not exceed 460 pixels in width, to improve printing and on-screen readability;
   
   
8. Present text flush left (not centered) wherever possible;
   
   
9. Do not build University pages using framesets.
   
   

Working with Dreamweaver Templates

The template has been created using Dreamweaver template tags. These tags protect areas of the HTML code from editing and accidental changes. Protecting areas of the template page used for global navigation allows for ease of use, ensures page functionality, and maintains a consistent University image throughout the Web site.

Image Maps

Due to the use of template tags, image maps cannot be created using Dreamweaver 4.0 or lower, if you wish to use image maps, please contact the Web Information Manager (mardery@wpunj.edu) for assistance.

To work with CSS styles:

Creating Menus

Follow this format for the vertical blue menu whenever possible. If you are creating or adapting a series of interrelated pages, menus should follow a logical progression so that users may navigate easily between pages. A selection of 4 menus has been provided (template_menus.HTML); select the menu appropriate to your quantity and complexity of information.

Please note:
• Menus should not change within related areas of the Web site;
• Sub menus (light blue) should be employed to present content that relates
  directly to a specific menu category;
• Menus should not be so long that they scroll below the visible bottom of the page.

Examples:
For examples of a active template menus and sub menus, see:

Simple menu structure with selected menu item:
http://ww2.wpunj.edu/university/senior_administration.HTML;

Menu with sub menu items
http://ww2.wpunj.edu/faculty/teaching_research_grants.HTML;

Menu with selected sub menu items
http://ww2.wpunj.edu/admissn/aninstant.cfm

Menu with sub sub menu items (see professional enrichment)


.

The Web server has been built with testing and production platforms so that new site content may be viewed,  tested, and edited prior to being placed on public view. Each department is responsible for its own content, but the Web Manager will offer technical review prior to your placing new pages on the live Web site. Please follow these guidelines for the launch of new Web pages:

1. Have your supervisor or department chair contact the Helpdesk (help@wpunj.edu or call x4357) to gain access to your assigned folders on the testing platform (TestWeb);
   
   
2. Develop your new pages in Dreamweaver and preview on your local disk or other remote server. Do not edit your pages directly on TestWeb. This creates clutter and puts undue strain on the Web server;
   
   
3. Upload only HTML (asp, cfm, inc, etc.) files and associated graphics to TestWeb. Remove any old or unused files prior to upload;
   
   
4. View the pages on TestWeb (http://testWeb.wpunj.edu/[your folder/filename]) and conduct whatever internal review of page content that has been developed by your department;
   
   
5. Contact the Web Manager (Yuri Marder) at mardery@wpunj.edu, providing the new TestWeb URL(s) for technical review and design support if needed;
   
   
6. Upload reviewed content to the production server using the AWAN utility
   (http://testweb.wpunj.edu/filemove1/).
   
   * Click here for more information on using AWAN.
   
   
7. Review and test all live content.
   

List of Embedded CSS Styles

HTML text in the template pages has been defined using CSS styles, the styles embedded
into these pages are as follows:

Graphic Elements

The University Web pages contain graphic elements used for headers and navigation
with the following characteristics:

Graphical Page Headers

In order to refine the look of certain pages, graphical (rather than html) headers may be used. These headers are images, usually created in Photoshop or some other graphics editor and then optimized for the web. Below are some examples of graphical headers that are consistent with the University page design. Please contact Yuri Marder at mardery@wpunj.edu for assistance with graphical headers: