Team 254's New Website

[synth3tk]

True, they could add a few things here-and-there, and maybe they still have things to add. But using a purchased skin without deep customizations may not be a necessarily bad thing, as long as the skin functions and looks how they want it. That's not to say they shouldn't add or change anything, but that sometimes buying things and putting them together can be just as rewarding.

[dqmot17]

That is true. But for our website, i speant 3 hours rewriting javascript for the menu because the script wasnt meant for IE8, and no one will know. How will someone will? I mean, the real point is to show off what your team can do, along with providing information. Buying things, anyone can do. (but yes, sometimes its the best answer)

[Rick TYler]

There is a mistake on the home page where it reads, "Bob Holmes and Steve Kyramarios joined Jason Morella, then an English teacher and now the west coast director of FIRST, in exciting students about robotics."

Jason Morrella is now the Senior Director, Education and Competition for Innovation First, Inc.

[NickE]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

There is a mistake on the home page where it reads, "Bob Holmes and Steve Kyramarios joined Jason Morella, then an English teacher and now the west coast director of FIRST, in exciting students about robotics."

Jason Morrella is now the Senior Director, Education and Competition for Innovation First, Inc.

Thanks for catching out. That information appears to be pretty outdated. I'll update it now.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by NickE

Thanks for catching out. That information appears to be pretty outdated. I'll update it now.

No problem. I forget to add "the new site is terrific -- clean, informative, and easy to navigate. Two thumbs up."

[Gary.C]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

True, they could add a few things here-and-there, and maybe they still have things to add. But using a purchased skin without deep customizations may not be a necessarily bad thing, as long as the skin functions and looks how they want it. That's not to say they shouldn't add or change anything, but that sometimes buying things and putting them together can be just as rewarding.

Even though purchasing skins can be rewarding, and have a nice, slick professional look. I think it should be used for maintaining corporate site's and professional business'. In FIRST, why not put in the extra time to make sites from scratch. Not necessarily Notepad, but other programs made for web design.

You can learn a lot of CSS and HTML, and even Javascript by making a site by scratch. It might not be the cleanest looking site on the block, but at least you can be proud of being able to make a website. It's fine to use snippets and Javascript plugins, but there is a point where most of the web designing should come down to you. Other people may have a different opinion on this than me, but I personally believe that it should be done on your own or as a team, not just taking other people's templates and modifying the contents.

[synth3tk]

It depends on the needs, though. Some teams want/need a website up (their sponsors may require a blog or something to show progress), but don't have the time or students to spend on the project. Yeah, it'd be nice to learn that stuff, but sometimes, just purchasing it gets the job done. Not every team wants to apply for the website award.

[AdamHeard]

We'll take a copy in orange Nick.

Sure beats our "site".

[Akash Rastogi]

Guys, just keep in mind not to cut down on 254's work. Remember that the judges also look for outstanding content and resources provided by the host team, and 254 has done an excellent job of that.

Just +$0.02

[NickE]

Originally Posted by CHI DONG08

It might not be the cleanest looking site on the block, but at least you can be proud of being able to make a website.

Why can I not be proud of this website?

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Remember that the judges also look for outstanding content and resources provided by the host team

This is very true, Akash. My team and I are very proud of this website. We have worked very hard on it to bring all of the content, pictures, videos and more into one location. We used a Skinned CMS with many free open source integrated components and several custom components.

Its questionable as to whether or not we are eligible for the website award in the first place, as our extensive VEX team may violate the rule stating that the website "must be dedicated exclusively to the activities of a FIRST robotics team," or something to that effect.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by NickE

Its questionable as to whether or not we are eligible for the website award in the first place, as our extensive VEX team may violate the rule stating that the website "must be dedicated exclusively to the activities of a FIRST robotics team," or something to that effect.

Its been argued on here before that if FIRST really cares about STEM then it shouldn't matter what form of programs the team supports. If I were judging I would just see it as part of your team's activities and initiatives to spread STEM education, not just FIRST. Might want to ask someone about it.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by NickE

content, pictures, videos .

Videos? I didn't even see that the first time... I know where i'll be tonight.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by NickE

Its questionable as to whether or not we are eligible for the website award in the first place, as our extensive VEX team may violate the rule stating that the website "must be dedicated exclusively to the activities of a FIRST robotics team," or something to that effect.

My team has a fairly noticeable portion of our site (more than one page) dedicated to our (non-FIRST) Midwest Vex League participation, and we have won the Website Award before (back in 2007). I doubt it's much of an issue.

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by NickE

Its questionable as to whether or not we are eligible for the website award in the first place, as our extensive VEX team may violate the rule stating that the website "must be dedicated exclusively to the activities of a FIRST robotics team," or something to that effect.

Yeah, last year's rules had something about how a website had to be dedicated to FIRST activities, like you said, but I don't think it resulted in disqualification if you didn't; you just lost those 5 or so points.


However, I don't see that phrase anywhere on the 2010 criteria.

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Com...20 manual.pdf

[dqmot17]

Originally Posted by Pikat

Yeah, last year's rules had something about how a website had to be dedicated to FIRST activities, like you said, but I don't think it resulted in disqualification if you didn't; you just lost those 5 or so points.


However, I don't see that phrase anywhere on the 2010 criteria.

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Com...20 manual.pdf

Well, those are FIRST teams, so i dont think it matters. I would think it looks good to show that you are actively involving your team in the community spreading science and technology ()