CAP Below National Level Web Sites -- Good, Bad, & Ugly!!!

[RADIOMAN015]

I'm still amazed that overall we in CAP start websites, whether it be at the wing, group, or squaron level, and than fail to update the site(s) with any new information.   One region website still has them meeting at our former squadron headquarters (which is about to be torn down) & they haven't been meeting their for years anyways     Also some squadrons' go for many, many months without posting any information on recent past activities held -- It looks like the unit hasn't been doing anything.

I also think that if a Commander lives out of the geographic area that the unit is in, there should be a local contact number to avoid long distance charges to potential recruits, as well as a valid email address that gets reviewed & answered.

I think that website update responsibility is basically a shared responsibility by the unit's PAO & IT Officer.  I think on SUI's this should be looked a very carefully to ensure the proper image as well as insuring regular updates of activities.  I think the days of a printed monthly newsletter can pretty much be replaced by ongoing updated website showing the units' activities right after they occur.

Also I'd be interested to see some input on some VERY good up to date website throughout CAP!!!
RM     

[RADIOMAN015]

I'm still amazed that overall we in CAP start websites, whether it be at the wing, group, or squaron level, and than fail to update the site(s) with any new information.   

I'd like to add that I think in all fairness, the volunteers start out with the best of intentions, but perhaps work & personal life requirements overtake their capability to keep the site up.   I know my commander feels that IF a website can't be kept up to date, it should be taken down.   I would think that one could keep the (semi) permanent information relatively up to date.  Also If you aren't updating all of your current activities as news, change the heading to reflect "Here's a Sampling of Our Activities Throughout The Years", or something similiar to that.

Ideally you can get your PAO and IT guy/gal to work together.  I personally, Like the idea of web pages BUT also the ability built in to download an article in PDF format.
RM   

[Eclipse]

Lock?

We've been down this road before and it never ends well.

Search is your friend.

[dwb]

Here's a decent one: http://cny.nywg.cap.gov

[Stonewall]

I make absolutely no claims to be a web page designer or computer guru, but when I arrived at my current squadron and they had some sort of website made by a cadet with very outdated info, lots of pop-ups and an address like aolmembers.family.jcs383jones.com. 

I had to do something becuase that site was listed at NHQ, Wing and Group as our official site.  I paid $$$ for "load and go" site with templates where I could just load pictures, text and links.  I agree and admit, it is not where I'd like it to be, but trust me, it is better than before.  And it requires absolute no updating.

www.jacksonvillesquadron.org

Here is my favorite squadron site:  http://gawg.cap.gov/GA045/

[FlexCoder]

I agree, Eclipse, been there, done that!     Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder....but as for Stonewall's website, well, you get an A for effort but as for user interface design & code syntax, well, we will just leave room for improvement and look at it as a start of something great !

[Timbo]

The best way to solve this and to great a "brand image" would be for NHQ to say "here is the template, fill in the blanks".  The AF does that.  They have a .mil site and each of the subordinate commands use that style and format to create their own websites.  In fact, we should see about borrowing the AF template, it is a decent design.   

[brasda91]

^ This is what KY Wing does.  Wing has a standard website layout and each squadron creates the content of their website accordingly.  There may be a page or two that doesn't follow the Wing layout, but in my case, I can't figure out some of the modules or get them the right way.  I do the best I can.