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Why multipublish?
• Same view of data may work for all users, but may not be efficient. Not all users need all bits of info.
• Some users “deserve” access to more details, or need pre-digested info.
• Different platforms, devices, or browsers have different limitations or capabilities.
When multipublish?
• If there’s just a little data, or it doesn’t change often, manual publishing is fine. Code HTML by hand for each need.
• If the data changes often, or lots of formats are needed, use a database to do it automatically!
What to multipublish?
• Anything people might need in more than one place or more than one format.
• Static or occasionally changing content such as campus event calendars, facility schedules, sports schedules, eatery hours, newsletters…
• Custom or up-to-the-minute content such as student class schedules, eatery menus or specials, daily newspapers…
“Manual” Example
• 14850 Magazine is a web-based monthly, published in HTML, with a handheld version via AvantGo, and an e-mail announcement with a blurb for each article.
“Manual” Example
• 14850 is at the line where it won’t make sense to create each version manually much longer.
Database Example…
• The WVBR Concert Log is a radio station’s on-the-air and online listing of local and regional music events.
• The need: Keep track of local concerts in one place, and automagically generate all of the various formats the info needs to appear in.
The WVBR Concert Log
• The first priority: Radio DJs must read concert listings on the air twice daily.
• The second priority: Make the info available online.
• Bonus: Handheld and other formats.
Different Views forDifferent Viewers
• The WVBR DJs need to see extra info such as pronunciation keys, extra tidbits of description, and contact info in case they need clarification.
• The public needs links to performer and venue web sites, and a user-friendly description.
• Database design is key — make sure you have the necessary fields without too much excess duplication of info.
Other Formats
• Once you have the database, publishing in other formats is more or less “free.”
• Get the info anyplace people might want to look for it. Portals, wireless web cell phones, posters, PDAs, etc.
Let the database do the work
• The database software can often do the work of selecting, sorting, and formatting the info.
• FileMaker Pro (a cross-platform relational database application) is good for prototyping, or even for low-traffic web sites.
<p><b><font size=+1>[Performer]</font></b><br>[Venue] [Time]<p><blockquote>[DescriptionText]</blockquote>
<li><b>[Performer]<br>[Venue]
<p><b>[Performer]<br>[Venue] [Time]<p><blockquote>[DJNoteText]</blockquote>
How to publish for Handhelds…
• You can roll your own if you want to, but once you can build a web page from your database, you can use AvantGo.
• AvantGo is a free service (free to content providers and end users) that delivers web content to handhelds when the user syncs, or via wireless connections.
How to publish for Handhelds…
• Keep the text and formatting simple, and keep graphics small and high-contrast.
• Test your web content in AvantGo and then provide a link to their system that specifies your handheld-content URL.
What works well on handhelds?
• Plain text. Bold text. Most font tricks or spacing gimmicks simply don’t carry over.
• Line drawings. Monochromatic images. Simple greyscale/color images.
• AvantGo will scale and posterize images for you, so play with your content until it looks good. View on multiple handhelds.
Other ideas for outlets
• Create portal channels. Offer a raw HTML version that other web sites can “include.”
• Tune a version for wireless web portals on cell phone services.
• Generate an attractive PDF on the fly that people can download and print.
• Set up a phone system that can speak the current info to callers, as airlines now do.
Multipublishing Examples
• http://wvbr.com/concert.html WVBR Concert Log• http://magazine.14850.com/ 14850 Magazine• http://dining.14850.com/ 14850 Dining Guide
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