squadron website

[Heather]

can anyone give me any advice to help me start a website for my squadron?

[PWK-GT]

First off, you need to have a handle on a few items:
1) What is your website budget?
2) How many people will have permissions for this site?
3) How elaborate do you require it to be?
4) Do you have the support of your Squadron Staff, and presumably the PAO or CC?

Now having asked those questions of yourself, you may want to Google for 'web hosting' or 'free web development', etc. I am guessing that those involved on your end are new to the web-building experience.......so maybe take some baby steps first, and start with an affordable one that is easy to manage with even the most basic understanding of computers. I can personally recommend www.freewebs.com as a good builder, with a decent amount of bandwidth for storing pictures and files. It costs about $25 a year, and they don't automatically renew the membership (unlike many others).

Also, having a decent dig camera is a must to keep track of those local events and photo-ops! Keep your content current, and have fun experimenting!

[ande.boyer]

It really depends on what your level of "web page building" expereince is.  For hosting, you should be sure and check with your wing webmaster to see if there is any space available on the wing's host.  Chances are they could give you http://www.mywing.cap.gov/mysquadron.

Registering domain names is so cheap these days, I think everyone should be able to go this route.  It's a little harder to get setup, but well worth the hassle IMO.

There are plenty of free hosts out there.  For a few dollars a month, you can get your own host and own domain name.  If you just want to post some flat web pages with just pictures and links, free is the way to go.  If you want an interactive site that is easily updatable, more configurable, and all around more robust, be sure your host provides you access to some kind of web scripting language (ie PHP, Perl, CGI, etc....I prefer PHP) and possibly a database to hold data (rosters, records, etc).

We programming really isn't all that too difficult.  For anyone who knows nothing, go read Web Programming for Dummies and it'll get you up to speed to get a basic site up.

I can answer any specific questions you might have as well....let me know...

Ande Boyer, 1Lt, CAP
IT Officer, ALWG

[dwb]

My standard web site advice: http://syracusecap.org/info/siteinfo.html

Do NOT use a free service like Tripod, Geocities, etc.  They all stink, they put ads on the site, and are often very slow.

Check with your Wing/Group first (through chain of command, of course).  If that doesn't pan out, see if the squadron will foot the bill for hosting.  There are plans that are under $10/month, which is pretty reasonable.

I host my squadron's web site on a plan from 1&1 Internet.  A couple years ago, 1&1 offered free web hosting for three years.  I'm about 2 1/2 years into that three year deal, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do next spring when the offer expires.  I'll probably keep the space, but charge the two organizations I host web sites for to cover my costs.

Web sites can be fun; it's neat to tweak and update and make things look better and have people actually look at your site.  But it's a lot of work to do right, and too many squadron web pages do not project a positive image of the organization.

[cmoore]

As the "webmaster" for my squadron I just have one comment to add:  make sure it's clear who is responsible for the actual content.  It's one thing to put up a web page, and quite another to actually keep it updated with news, upcoming events, current information, pictures, etc.  I frequently remind our membership that I depend on them for the content that appears on the web page, and I've yet to have a single article, event, or photo sent to me.  The web page is only as good as the content.

[dwb]

I frequently remind our membership that I depend on them for the content that appears on the web page, and I've yet to have a single article, event, or photo sent to me.

I just make stuff up to put on my site.  Not literally invent stories, but I've long since decided that no one is going to ask me to put anything on the site, so I either have to take pictures and write the story myself, or just see the need and throw it on there.

Most people don't even understand how web sites work, much less know how to write good content for the web.

[Heather]

well...I'm the only one doing PA and no one is really good at writing so I'm kind of going this alone. You know what I mean?

[Pylon]

well...I'm the only one doing [insert any CAP duty position here] and no one is really good at [insert any basic skill here] so I'm kind of going this alone. You know what I mean?

Sadly, yes, I think many of us know what you mean... it's all too common in CAP.   

[arajca]

Reportedly, National is working on a template for squadrons to use when building a website. This template will not be mandatory, but it will be available. I do not have a release date, yet.

[Heather]

well that's cool but I think it's still going to be hard considering the fact that I've never made a website before.

[ande.boyer]

Reportedly, National is working on a template for squadrons to use when building a website. This template will not be mandatory, but it will be available. I do not have a release date, yet.

I heard Alabama was the only wing to get outfitted with this template.  Nat'l was going to "install" it for all the wings (that wanted it), but whatever program was doing this either ran out of money or got cancelled.

Don't worry, you're not missing anything.  The site layout looks pretty good, but it's a nightmare to maintain and/or modify in any way.

S!
-ande

[arajca]

We were talking about unit websites and how some of them looked like they were designed by a five year old and the impression that would leave on a visitor and potential member. The recruiting folks told us about the template, but didn't mention if it was in a test phase or being made ready or any other details.

[dwb]

If the template was made by the same people who maintain eServices, then I'm not interested.  I could write better web app code in my sleep. 

I do applaud NHQ for looking in to the CAP unit web site problem, because it is a problem.  Most of them look anywhere from so-so to awful, including a lot of Wing sites.

I don't claim my squadron's site is the greatest thing ever, but at least it's clean, up-to-date, and accurate.

[Becks]

Our wing one looks decent:
http://www.scwg.cap.gov/

But the squad leaves much to be desired...
http://www.charlestoncap.com

[mclarke]

I am going to bump this since I am in the same situation. My situation is apparently someone in the past made a website for our squadron and a whole world of, how can I say, manure, came down. This was before I joined the squadron.

I have mentioned it a few times, though, the squadron commander has said he is not interested in a website. I feel this is the wrong approach for various reasons. Any ideas on how to proceed or another approach that may bring up the idea again? I have read all the regulations for building and maintaining a squadron website I could locate, as well as this is required as part of my Senior rating for PAO apparently (please correct me if I am wrong).

[Bobble]

But the squad leaves much to be desired...
http://www.charlestoncap.com
[/quote]

Could you perhaps expand on your comment with some constructive criticism(s)?  I'd like to think that the board participants in general ( and myself in particular) are appreciative of helpful guidance or suggestions.

Add - Sorry, I didn't notice just how much this thread was bumped.  Nevermind.

[vento]

I am going to bump this since I am in the same situation. My situation is apparently someone in the past made a website for our squadron and a whole world of, how can I say, manure, came down. This was before I joined the squadron.

I have mentioned it a few times, though, the squadron commander has said he is not interested in a website. I feel this is the wrong approach for various reasons. Any ideas on how to proceed or another approach that may bring up the idea again? I have read all the regulations for building and maintaining a squadron website I could locate, as well as this is required as part of my Senior rating for PAO apparently (please correct me if I am wrong).

In our squadron, the IT Officer is in charge of maintaining the website. The PAO provides some of the contents for the website. The PAO provides the materials, articles, etc, and the ITO convert the documents into website friendly content and post.

[321EOD]

We've used google apps education edition for the last couple of years - here is the thread:

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=10989.msg205211#msg205211

Our front page is lame at the moment - as we are suffering the same resource issues you mentioned (I took over as DCC and haven't found someone to take over as web admin!) Check out some of the sub pages

Google apps is free to 501(c)(3) and is more than just a website - it has online document management, calendaring  and email address list management too.

[Huey Driver]

Another good example:
http://capemay.njwg.cap.gov/

[A.Member]

^ No.

[jeders]

Another good example:
http://capemay.njwg.cap.gov/

By good example, do you mean good example of what not to do?

[researchdoc]

We've used google apps education edition for the last couple of years - here is the thread:

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=10989.msg205211#msg205211

Our front page is lame at the moment - as we are suffering the same resource issues you mentioned (I took over as DCC and haven't found someone to take over as web admin!) Check out some of the sub pages

Google apps is free to 501(c)(3) and is more than just a website - it has online document management, calendaring  and email address list management too.

Is there a standard way to sign up for Google for nonprofits and then the education upgrade for each squadron?
Is the employer ID the same for all of CAP, WHERE DO I GET THAT NUMBER?   As PAO or any squadron staff member, would that suffice as the primary attached google account and also suffice as a legal representative for being able to obtain the nonprofit and education services from Google?

[Eclipse]

No standard way.

I just sent one of the national tax letters and a memo on unit letterhead.  I think the Wing CC also substantiated our non-profit status.  It wasn't onerous.

The commander should be the person signing everything, at a minimum.  One could make the argument it should be the Wing CC since this is a contract, though mine was not concerned about it.

[RADIOMAN015]

As the unit PAO (who has little time to spend on developing an award winning website OR really any site for that matter due just being tired from workplace use of a computer daily), what I see as most likely to get completed   is just a plain site that give unit information (contacts, meeting times, any restrictions on access, etc), perhaps a calendar of events, and a report/story (with pictures) of what the squadron has done has accomplished as far as activities.   The complete information should direct the individual back to the National CAP website main page http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/

I think when one looks around the web (even at wing websites), many become unmaintained and out of date because the "artist" webmaster leaves or get tired of it, etc, etc.  So my advice is to just keep it VERY simple.   Prospective members do know how to do google searches or you can cross reference it in one of CAP's provided cadet or senior brochures (unit contact information on bottom of brochure).

Someone I know very well in CAP may be floating a proposal (via the respective wing PAO) to National that they maintain a website for news from each wing that would allow someone to see all the news for a particular wing.  Likely the Wing PAO or whoever is designated would determine what gets posted to the national site.       

Again personally, I wouldn't get carried away with to much fantasy stuff, keep it simple with basic information.

RM

[Huey Driver]

Another good example:
http://capemay.njwg.cap.gov/

By good example, do you mean good example of what not to do?

^^Yes. Ehh my sarcasm could of been stronger

[meganite]

I got space on DreamHost, free for 501(c)(3) organizations. Just follow their instructions. It's detailed in this post: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=11244.msg206495#msg206495

(By the way, if anyone wants to throw rocks at my website, here it is: http://www.whsabre.com )

[elipod]

Hello All,

I made a website for my Squadron. I would like some input!

www.cap207.com

What do you all think?

[davidsinn]

Hello All,

I made a website for my Squadron. I would like some input!

www.cap207.com

What do you all think?

Lose the chat because it's pointless and for the love of mike take the cadet's contact information off a public website.

[Eclipse]

^ Ditto, plus you're probably asking for trouble with the forums, but K-Sarah on that (misspelled "whether" on one of them).
The ability to comment is also a minefield.

[elipod]

Okay, got it! I knew I would get responses along those lines

Whats wrong with the forum though?

As far as the contact information, its up to my cadets if they want their information private or not.

[davidsinn]

Okay, got it! I knew I would get responses along those lines

Whats wrong with the forum though?

As far as the contact information, its up to my cadets if they want their information private or not.

Being minors it's not up to them. It's up to the parents. It's still a bad idea to post that info.

[elipod]

Okay Dokey =D

What do you think about the site though? I mean, cosmetically.

[Eclipse]

Okay, got it! I knew I would get responses along those lines

Whats wrong with the forum though?

As far as the contact information, its up to my cadets if they want their information private or not.

The fact that you knew you'd get responses "along those lines" should be the first clue.  Common sense is a gift from the Lord, do not ignore it.

If the forum is restricted to unit members and access is verified, that is one thing, however anything open to the public that invites comment
is a bad idea as you will have little control as to what is written - the first comment to your post about having a website is a good example.

As to contact info, you have to check with parents, but it's a bad idea.   At a minimum that should be behind a password.

All of this assumes you have been given a mandate by your Squadron CC to create a website in the first place.

[Spaceman3750]

Hello All,

I made a website for my Squadron. I would like some input! :P

www.cap207.com

What do you all think?

Several thoughts:

1) Get rid of the squirrel. While it might be your squadron mascot it only serves to confuse potential members visiting your site (mostly because it looks out of place). Remember, your website might be the first thing someone sees about CAP or your squadron.

2) You shouldn't have to explain the site in the first paragraph of the homepage. If you do, you haven't designed the site correctly. It should be self-evident what the site is supposed to do.

3) The "Join CAP" page is far too busy. Furthermore, simply give the email address of your recruiting officer or squadron commander as a point of contact. Don't make people jump through stupid forms. (See 11)

4) Nix the forum. If nobody uses it, it's the fastest way to make the site feel outdated and will serve to drive away potential members.

5) Nix the chat for all the reasons already mentioned.

6) Nix the cadet contact info for all the reasons already mentioned.

7) The fact that you only show the cadet chain of command tells me that you don't have the proper perspective for this site. Remember, there's a whole other half of that chain that you left out.

8) Consider eliminating the chain of command altogether. A potential member doesn't necessarily need to know it, and it only serves to confuse them on who to contact for more information. You want a single point of contact that presents a single "face of CAP", preferably your PAO, recruiting officer, or CC. While it's useful for current members there's other ways to distribute your org chart that doesn't serve to confuse potential members.

9) Reconsider some of the photographs you have posted. While the photos with the ambulance are nice photos that show cadets doing something fun, it can also paint the wrong picture about what CAP does.

10) Consider a .org domain name. They're both equal in price but they say different things.

11) Where is your squadron at again? You don't give a state. I'm guessing that you're in PAWG based on many things but you telling me isn't one of them. Ideally this should be located with contact information and should be on the front page to the left. (See 3)

12) Why isn't your flight staff doing a callout every week?

13) What are PTUs?

14) Marquees are obsolete. I think that tag has been depreciated for upwards of a decade.

I'll let you know if I think of anything else...

EDIT: 15) What's with the dark color scheme? At least use something brighter, preferably incorporating CAP's colors (though the one that I've been putting off rolling out at my squadron doesn't use R/W/B either, but it's brighter at least)

[A.Member]

^ To add to that and sum it up in a sentence:  Know why you're creating a website and who your audience will be. 

It doesn't appear that you've got that nailed down yet.   Once you understand the audience, that will drive your content.

[disamuel]

Just for future reference I found this site some time ago that was a big help in starting a local squadron's website:

http://www.ncrpao.org/resources/wsb/index.htm

You can easily download the template, and then modify it as needed. It was a help to me as a squadron IT officer.

[elipod]

Thank you all for your advice. I will take it to heart!

P.S. I did have a mandate from my Squadron CC to create the website.

[JC004]

Okay, got it! I knew I would get responses along those lines

Whats wrong with the forum though?

As far as the contact information, its up to my cadets if they want their information private or not.

I remember when that patch came into existence...  Those were the days for 207. 

Agree to ditch chat.  I think that I agree with everything Spaceman said.  Over a decade of developing websites and I've made plenty of mistakes, learning a lot of new techniques.  Plus, standards have changed.  I look back at sites that I did even 1 or 2 years ago and think "there's NO WAY I'd do a site that way now."  It's trial and error, trying to keep up with the times.  Killing the marquee is a good way to stay up with this decade.  HA.

It is NOT up to the cadets.  You will also find that Wing HQ will not be happy with cadet contact information on the website.  This caused quite a stir before, it was established as policy, and was the reason we began assigning wing e-mail addresses (thus allowing cadets to have an e-mail address posted but not post a personal address).

Also, CAPR 110-1:

7. Personal Information. Personal information regarding CAP members or employees, including but not limited to, social security number, residence address, date of birth, should only be made available through CAP internet operations to those individuals who have a specific need to have such information for official CAP business only. When this information is placed on a web server as part of a CAP internet operation, reasonable security, such as password access, should be implemented to protect the information.

Nuke the favicon and use a different one.  There's no way to determine what that is supposed to be.  Maybe just use a keystone.  There are plenty of favicon generators that make that easy.

[elipod]

I have made most all of the changes you all have 'suggested'. Please take a look again, and I am open to more advice.

I changed the color scheme from black, to more neutral colors.

Cadet contact information is not on there now, except for Squadron CC and Cadet CC. I am the cadet CC, and it is in my discretion to have my contact info in there.

Chat is ditched.

Different favicon.

www.cap207.com

[PhoenixRisen]

IMO, I've never been a fan of the "Welcome to our site -- please look around" stuff on the homepage.  Isn't that what people go there to do in the first place?  I just think it could serve a better purpose, such as recent event write-ups, announcements, etc.

YMMV.

That aside, nice site!

[rjfoxx]

The website is OK, however one of the links leads to a squadron forum that has a foreign host.  The forum is hosted in Poland and I see the possiblity of serious OPSEC violations.  Forum entries so far seem to be safe, but there are only 8 members.

[elipod]

The website is OK, however one of the links leads to a squadron forum that has a foreign host.  The forum is hosted in Poland and I see the possiblity of serious OPSEC violations.  Forum entries so far seem to be safe, but there are only 8 members.

Good point. One of my cadets made the forum (with my permission) for the cadets in my squadron to ask questions and get answers.
However, I was not aware that it was hosted by a server in Poland! Looks like I have something to deal with..

[elipod]

I like that, Eclipse. "123456"

[vento]

Per CAPR 110-1, you may want to make sure the disclaimer is on your website. Something like:
"Links or references to individuals or companies does not constitute an endorsement of any information, product or service you may receive from such sources."

[elipod]

I revamped the website again.

Please take a look, and tell me what you think.

Thanks

www.cap207.com

[PhoenixRisen]

Looks good -- but the embedded squadron calendar at the bottom of the index page is coming up as a missing page.

[A.Member]

I revamped the website again.

Please take a look, and tell me what you think.

Thanks

www.cap207.com

So, are you really going to let just anybody submit an attendance form for your meetings?   It's open to the public.  I just sent a response indicating that I won't be there because I'm not a member.  Fortunately, I'm "nice".  What if I actually want to inject some SQL there...hmmm?!  I recommend reconsidering.

Why republish National forms/info?  And you do know that cadet master records are now maintained in e-Services, right?

As mentioned, calendar is problematic.

Closer but still some work to do...

[elipod]

I understand, but I dont have a way to password protect a page. I'm not sure how.

[A.Member]

I understand, but I dont have a way to password protect a page. I'm not sure how.

Then get rid of it.

[elipod]

I have found it MORE than useful for my squadron. It gets rid of the old days of telephone call outs. I just need to find a way to secure it.

[Майор Хаткевич]

I have found it MORE than useful for my squadron. It gets rid of the old days of telephone call outs. I just need to find a way to secure it.

Today, we have email.

[a2capt]

The telephone call outs work great and ensure a positive communicating environment between the flight staff and it's members.

[JC004]

Put it in its own directory, look up .htaccess password protection.  Very easy to do.  Just download Notepad++ to create the .htaccess password files.

[jimmydeanno]

The photos flashing on the mainpage, I'd suggest rewording the "Emergency Services" section.  We don't do 85% of the SAR in the country.  The 85% stat was "as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center" not "all SAR."

[vento]

And also the first picture on the home page is showing a mirror image, therefore we see a cadet saluting with his left arm and wearing his ribbon on the right chest...  :angel:

[JC004]

You need to collect old pictures from the last 10 years and post them.  Do not ask why.  Just get it done.  Quickly. 

[PhoenixRisen]

Put it in its own directory, look up .htaccess password protection.  Very easy to do.  Just download Notepad++ to create the .htaccess password files.

I tried that with my unit's website here in CAWG.  Aparrently our servers don't support it.  I thought that was one of the most basic things you could do...?

[JC004]

If you couldn't, you were probably on a WINDOWS server.

By the way, one of the former 207 cadets from long ago likes the site.

[a2capt]

IIS doesn't support it universally, if at all a lot of the times.
Apache does.
Guess which that CAWG server at that time was using?

.. and it still is, for some people at least.

[elipod]

You need to collect old pictures from the last 10 years and post them.  Do not ask why.  Just get it done.  Quickly.

post them. On here? or the website.
as much as my curiosity is trying to kill me, I wont ask why.

[A.Member]

I have found it MORE than useful for my squadron. It gets rid of the old days of telephone call outs. I just need to find a way to secure it.

Doesn't matter if you can't implement it correctly.  As others indicated, there are alternate ways to do this until you figure it out.

[JC004]

You need to collect old pictures from the last 10 years and post them.  Do not ask why.  Just get it done.  Quickly.

post them. On here? or the website.
as much as my curiosity is trying to kill me, I wont ask why.

Make galleries and put a selection of pictures through the years - maybe by decade or something, but I'm particularly interested in 2000 to 2005 or so.  We used to have this when I did the wing website.  Lots of squadrons seems to do this too.

[a2capt]

I'm in the process of doing just that with ours, as myself and another senior member sorted our photos into year/mo/date/event and even got a bunch of them labeled with who's in them. Another interesting side point is the amount of space a set of photos took up say, 10 years ago, vs. now. 

The better part of 10 years of photos may be overtaken by a single weekend activity now, with the "use the largest size possible" rule. Which I darn near always follow.

99.9 times out of 100, you only get one chance to take that photo. Make it count.

[elipod]

Unfortunately, I have no photos from that era... 2000 - 2005. Except for a few printed photos. When I have time, I will scan them.

[JC004]

I'd do a sampling of scanned photos, organized by decade, for as far back as you can get.  Seems a lot of units do that.

[elipod]

I made a new CAP recruitment video. It is more of a digestion of all the recruitment videos out there. But it is HD, which I like.

check it out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PeXNqMRoU

Watch in HD!

[HGjunkie]

I made a new CAP recruitment video. It is more of a digestion of all the recruitment videos out there. But it is HD, which I like.

check it out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_PeXNqMRoU

Watch in HD!

I spot a RED HORSE O-Course... is that FLWG footage? 

[elipod]

haha. yes. some of it is FLWG footage.

do you like the video though?

[HGjunkie]

haha. yes. some of it is FLWG footage.

do you like the video though?

Looks good on my 1080p monitor, so yes.