New business
Present:
- Sharon Parker
- Marilyn MacDonald
- Bernie Hart
- David Murdoch
- Derek Ferguson
- Doug McCann
- Leo Deveau
- Andrew Wright
- Viola Winstanley
- Mark Rushton
- Joyline Makani
Regrets:
- Krista Olmstead
- Grace Paterson
Meeting called to order at 6:41pm
Minute-taker appointed: Mark Rushton
Introduction of Derek Ferguson, sitting in to observe, a potential board
member.
Approval of minutes deferred until next meeting.
Previously approved minutes have not been posted to the website - Sharon
Parker is following up with Michael Cormier, who is undertaking this task.
Executive Director's Report:
- a booth has been booked for WOTS, Sunday, Sept. 24th
- location TBA
- sharing a booth with HRM/CAP
- Communications Committee is coordinating (Krista & Marilyn)
- suggestion of a BBQ on Aug. 25th at Math Dept. building, as last year.
Details TBA.
Organizational Structure (see Sharon's diagrams)
- discussion re: interconnections and communications among committees /
board / other players. Historical review and identification of where we are
now, what's working, what isn't.
- IP Committee gaining new focus, as an important (and somewhat ignored)
component.
- Bernie: we need direction, more input.
ACTION:
- structure the committees (see IP Committee for model)
- job descriptions needed
- strategic planning
- action items
- policy review / goals
Chairs of committees need to be more proactive re: their committee email
lists.
- Bernie: we've shifted from an organization providing connectivity
to one that is / will be mainly information / content-focused.
- Doug. IP committee - pushing a reporting process upward, requires area
editors to file reports on their sections to committee head, who
moves it to the upper levels as appropriate.
Joyline has moved to the Dalhousie Library administration, which breaks our
connection to the North Branch library. Suggests that Sharon send a letter
on behalf of CCN to strengthen the relationship.
UPDATES
New Web Site Template... and Colours
PARTICIPANTS
Andrew Wright
Mark Rushton
Doug McCann
Donna Randell
David Potter
Michael Cormier
Johnathan Thibodeau
Bob Adams
Sharon Parker
Christopher Majka
Michael Smith
SUMMARY
On SUNDAY July 9, 2000 a CCN member reported difficulties reading pages
created by the new template. Specifically,
"the Recent Updates page bothers me. If the links are supposed
to change colour when you have visited them I can't tell. I am not
classed as colour blind but there are shades of light blue and light green I cannot distinguish between."
The initial colour change proposed (vlink="#808080") was directed to the
Webmaster. The Webmaster "suggest[ed] bringing in [the complainant] and
others into the discussion ... [to] provide a more expert opinion
regarding colour contrast". The complainant and one other discussion group
participant indicated the initial change as less than satisfactory.
The second solution, proposed to be implemented on MONDAY, was
satisfactory to the user. It displayed colours according to the users
default browser settings (vlink=""). The Webmaster cautioned against a
quick implementation. The discussion had occurred over a weekend, and
given that the change would impact on ALL pages using the template, other
stakeholders should be consulted first.
It was suggested that other technical solutions were possible.
There was no further action until July 28, 2000 when the user inquired
about the status of the colour change.
Over the WEEKEND of July 28 - July 30, a discussion ensued regarding
various technical solutions, their suitability, and overall philosophy. A
server side solution was proposed that would maintain the integrety of the
original design, and also allow users customize the colour displayed.
On MONDAY morning, the user complaining as a member and a 'customer',
wondered why the colour change had not been implemented. By noon of the
same day, the user had resolved the colour issue by override our colour
selections (browser preferences).
The users final comments were
"For the most part, my association with Chebucto has been very positive.
This "discussion" has been totally frustrating. And - Given I Am The
Customer - leaves a lot to be desired".
No further action on resolution of the colour issue at CCN occrred until
THURSDAY August 3rd when the Tech Editor present an updated server side
solution. A discussion ensued over the appropriateness of a technical
solution, the use of technical resourses, and the lack of a managed
approach to problem resolution.
On THURSDAY August 3, 2000 the Webmaster directed the Editor in Chief to
"take all necessary steps to implement [the server-side] solution".
SYNOPSIS
- The 'colour' problem was relatively minor. The complainant was only
concerned about the colour displayed on ONE page. In hindsight, this
could, and should have been fixed by a temporary change to the PROBLEM
page.
- The complaint pointed out an underlying problem with the new template.
While the pastel colours were inviting and appreciated by the user, the
site lost functionally because of the colours selection.
- The complaint and ensuing discussions occurred over two separate
weekends, and during a holiday period. This limited input and consultation
possibilities from interested stakeholders.
- Not all stakeholders (template authors, designers, editors, technical,
board members) participated in the discussion, either by choice or lack of
awareness of the issue. Question: Who has subscribed to ccn-webmaster, the
discussion list regarding web design changes?
- There is confusion regarding CCN's mandate. Are we a commercial ISP or
a volunteer-driven community service organization? Do our members share a
common resource or are they customers?
Sharon: Note from Jonathan - Colour fix not yet implemented, need to review
code again.
Bernie - issue of "customer" vs. "member" - if a "member" has an issue, how
do we respond? Process.
IPDB
Sharon has report from Giselle/Tech
- EIC is testing revisions
- office should check with Giselle to see if she's ready for testing of the
office-relevant components
IPDB is being put back into service as per Board directive of two meetings
ago. Office was not informed following that meeting due to communication
error. Exec Dir will work out logistics with Office.
LMDA Grant Application
- Bernie: we need to meet with David re: meshing with HRM. Viola
will assist in writing tasks.
- Need to be ready by end of August.
Appointments Process
- follow-up to the EIC transfer;
- new appointments will now come from within the relevant committee, and
brought to the board for approval.
ACORN
John Sherwood will make a presentation to the board on August 29th. CCN
has been asked to join the network.
Strategic Planning
- Sept. 15th/16th
- Please confirm attendance to Sharon
- wide range of input desires, open invitation
- Facilitator: prices run 1200/day, still determining facilitator
Financial Report
Handed out - no major discussion at this time.
Committee Reports
Volunteer - All committee heads, others asked to submit to the Volunteer
Chair a list of volunteer needs ASAP. We have volunteers waiting in the
wings.
Meeting adjourned 8:43pm.
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