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Web Advisory Group Home > Minutes > 19 March 2003

Minutes - 19 March 2003

Members present: Hennig (chair), Duke, Edelman, Quirion, Skuce (minutes)
Guests: Liz Andrews, Lois Beattie, Nora Murphy

1. Subject pages
The group reviewed Christine and Stephen's report on subject pages. Several seem appropriate for inclusion in Vera, but before adding them we want to make sure links are operational, and sign off on other details we've identified. Those subject pages added to Vera will require active maintenance (currency of content, link checking, etc.). WAG will contact appropriate subject specialists with information.

2. Full Text Finder
Nicole led a review of the feedback WAG has received (largely raves) on the Full Text Finder (FTF). There was further discussion of the design and wording of the FTF page and SFX menu.

  • Nicole will speak with Carl regarding "system down" messages for SFX (like the ones for Barton and Vera).
  • We may edit the message displayed at the top of the FTF window.
  • Darcy will look into issues with abbreviated journal titles (which Barton can handle, but FTF cannot). WAG will probably need to devise a method for instructing FTF users on which searches can and can't be accommodated.
  • In theory, everything in BELL should be in FTF, but a small number of examples to the contrary have been identified (e.g., Wall Street Journal). Nicole will report to sfxprob, and WAG will revisit this as soon as we have more information.
  • At WAG's next meeting, we will try to get remaining questions answered, and identify any outstanding roadblocks. Goal is to go live ASAP.

3. Issues and Initiatives page
After discussion with Carol Fleishauer about a permanent home for her letter to faculty, "Journals Purchasing Environment Poses New Problems", we came up with a new page for the "About Us" section of our site. It will be called "Issues and Initiatives," and will cover such topics as scholarly communication, metadata, digital projects, and digital collections. This will go live after a few adjustments and cosmetic changes.

4. E-books page
Darcy is working with Erja on a new page within"Publication types." It is not meant to be comprehensive, but will gather valuable resources users might otherwise overlook.

5. Archives usability testing:
Liz Andrews, Lois Beattie and Nora Murphy joined WAG to prepare for usability testing of the Archives web site.

  • Jennifer and Christine will test the questions, then talk with Nora, Stephen and Lois; we will have a revised set of questions by April 9. Stephen will draw up test forms at that time.
  • 2 tests: 1 for researchers, 1 for administrators. 6 testers each.
  • Archives staff will recruit testers, and let WAG know if additional recruits are needed.
  • Lois will explore $5. tester rewards from Bosworth's.
  • The observers (Liz, Lois, Jennifer, Nora, Christine, Stephen) will conduct 2 tests each.
  • Nicole will lead observer training on April 16. Follow-up meeting on May 21.


Next meeting

April 2 , 2-3:30pm, Barker Conference Room (10-500)

http://libstaff.mit.edu/webgroup/minutes/20030319.html


Web Advisory Group Home > Minutes > 19 March 2003