Web Strategy and Development Blog

Join the WSD team as web programmer/analyst

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Do you have programming experience and enjoy working with content management systems? If so, you may be interested in this challenging, but highly rewarding position.

The web programmer/analyst’s primary duties are to create, maintain, and document web-related applications for public-facing missouristate.edu domain and internal user groups such as administrative and academic departments.

Required skills and education include:

  • Completion of college courses equivalent to an associate degree. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered as a substitution for educational requirements.
  • Proficiency coding web-related applications.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • The ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information processed, stored, or accessed by the systems.
  • The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

Submit your application, if you qualify. First date of consideration is April 24, 2023. 

Find out more

 

 

 

 

Recap: Hello Omni CMS, goodbye Web Press!

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During MarCom Training Week, the office of web strategy and development presented “Hello Omni CMS, goodbye Web Press!”

The goal: Help all web editors become familiar and comfortable with using the university’s new content management system (CMS), Omni CMS.

A summary of the presentation is detailed below. You can also download the full presentation (.pdf).

What’s changed and basics

Compared to the old system, Omni CMS is easier and quicker to use.

Key takeaways:

  • To log-in, just go to the page you want to edit and scroll to the very bottom. Look for the little copyright-looking symbol (c). This is the DirectEdit link. Click it.
  • To start editing your page, select the green rectangle icon labeled “Main Region.”
  • To navigate between pages or sections of your site, select Content->Pages. All pages are saved as .pcf files. Your “homepage” is always default.pcf.
  • WYSIWYG Toolbar: Where all the editing magic happens. This is where you add, edit or enhance your content.
  • Dashboard: The command center for all your editing activities.
  • Global navigation links are displayed site-wide. Local navigation links are limited to a specific page.

Design system

The web design system is the foundation for building your pages.

Key takeaways:

  • Everything comes from snippets (puzzle piece), components (atom icon) and assets (box with arrows).
    • Snippets: The starting point for building your page. Grids are the most common. Grids “hold” your content.
    • Components: Where you showcase or highlight your content. Examples include touts, call to action (CTA) and more.
    • Assets: Specialized, frozen content. Maps, catalog content and policies are the most common.
  • Use the elements guide for determining how these items should be used.
  • Make sure your content is accessible and legible to all.

Access and support

How to get access or request help for updating your website.

Key takeaways:

  • Know the steps for becoming a web editor.
  • Contact us or review our documentation if you need help.
  • Common support questions:
    • Directory and profiles: Profile details are updated by our office. Office location and phone number can be updated by the individual person.
    • Broken images in preview: Unpublished images won’t display in preview. You must publish the photo(s) for them to display in preview mode.
    • Forms: A work in progress. Minor edits to frozen forms can only be made by our office.

Download the full presentation: Hello Omni CMS, goodbye Web Press! (.pdf)

Improve your Omni CMS skills at this free training

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Learn how to make your web content shine using Missouri State’s new content management system (CMS), Omni CMS.

During MarCom training week, the office of web strategy and development will be hosting two free training sessions (Hello Omni CMS, goodbye WebPress!) on Omni CMS.

Whether you are a new editor or seasoned user, you’ll learn about the tools available to get the most out of Omni CMS.

At the end of the presentation, we’ll have an open lab to address individual questions or issues you need help with.

Key details: Hello Omni CMS, goodbye WebPress!

  • What: Omni CMS training, as part of MarCom Training Week.
  • When: Monday, Feb. 27 and Wednesday, March 1, 1-3 p.m.
  • Where: Glass Hall 486
  • About: You only need to attend one session. The same information will be covered in both sessions.

How to register

Registration is required in My Learning Connection at my.missouristate.edu.

  • Go to your profile tab.
  • Find the Professional Development box.
  • Select My Learning Connection.
  • Search for this session.
  • Sign up.

Other ways to enhance your skills

MarCom Training Week will also offer free sessions on design, social media, writing, videography and more.

Explore the MarCom Training Week schedule

New Web Support website is now available for our web editors

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Attention all website editors and website supervisors, Web Support (version 1.0) is now live!

We’ve recently rolled out a new web resource just for you, our web editors and site supervisors.

Designed to help guide you through our various web systems — explore Web Support to find the answers to most of your editor needs.

Explore Web Support

Access the new Missouri State Web Design System

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The Missouri State Web Design System was officially launched August 22, 2022. 

This system provides guidance to those who collectively support Missouri State’s web presence. 

Within this system, you will find:

  • The Missouri State brand toolkit for the web.
  • How to structure your page with templates and grids.  
  • A guide to the elements and patterns available; in what form they are offered in Omni CMS; and how they may be best used. 
  • Guidance for incorporating images, videos, icons and charts within your page layout. 

To further serve you, training is available through the following:

Training is still provided through Web Support — with additional support available by phone, Zoom or in-person (by appointment).

If you have any design questions, contact Valerie Cummings at 417-836-5670 or VCummings@MissouriState.edu.