As I briefly noted
here,, I'm considering expanding my server to be opened to other anime titles that all use the same basic left-side menu buttons, right side content, top-side customized graphics for the series (but same basic layout, I assume for ease of integration and consistency.)
See, the way it is right now, it already loads simple HTML files that lack standalone header tags (e.g. <title>, <body>, etc.) Example, see the trinkets page as just itself:
http://www.el-hazardonline.net/El-Hazard/site/goodies/trinkets.htmlThese headerless files are loaded into the default table space that's always to the right of the generated menu buttons. This has worked pretty well without actually resorting to a frames-based page that seem to upset so many people (and tend to not allow my flashy graphics to stay generally in place.
)
The point is, all that's needed to add a content page is to have someone write up their article or whatever in very simple HTML and upload it to have it instantly integrated.
The only problem is right now you have to do everything by FTP and configure long, semi-complicated looking links -- Example, the real trinkets link:
http://www.el-hazardonline.net/cgi-bin/eholpage.cgi?series=NA;menu=3;content=goodies/trinkets.html-- and there's still a lack of actual centralized sorting or control. Eventually I'd like to build an interface panel (maybe over XMas break?) and then give privledged access to the "underground" by some security system.
FYI, here's what I'm thinking in terms of a centralized control panel:
* Specify a whole slew of buttons to make a "menu" (note Trinkets link has "menu=3"; you can play with that link if you'd like and see the other numbers)
* Include ability to customize buttons of menu (probably will have to get rid of graphical buttons, or at least substitute them with tables that look similar) so that new buttons can be made without manually making them from the graphical template.
* Obviously specify each button's destination
* Have ability to upload the bare HTML pages in appropriate directories.
* Ability to upload images or other media that may be desired in the page.
All of it controled in some central panel. It shouldn't be too hard, just has to be done.
What I'm not sure is what the security of it should be. Should it only be granted to long-term members we trust? Should it be allowed to any yahoo who can pass the Fujisawa exam? (Giving freer general populace editing something like a Wiki.) Really I'm looking to have more updates happening without me explicity having to do the work cause I know I fall behind on emails and whatnot. :-/ I still have some stuff in my inbox that's months old now. But because of the lack of interface, it takes time to upload and link material, especially new stuff, so I get lethargic and fall behind.
Another idea is mixing the two, such that instead of allowing outsiders to directly edit the pages, they're allowed to put their new materials in a "drop box" or submit corrections to some sort of "suggestion box". Then myself and some of you guys could act as moderators and decide whether to accept or reject the material. Accepting it would include selecting where to drop it in. With all that, there could even be automatic simple news logged to some file that would immediately notify of updates without you needing to explicitly write it up.
Any suggestions or "go for its"?
Author