Social Networking Link Page
The U's social networking link page has launched and Photoshop docs to customize your own social networking page images are available on the Images Library. See more details in the social networking section of the eCommunication Blog.
Time to Redesign...Again
It's obvious, the site has outgrown its navigation. There's so much stuff, no one can find anything (but the search works well!).
We're embarking on another redesign/reorganization. Tell us what you like and what you think we need to work on. We appreciate any and all feedback!
Social Networking Guidelines
Updated and more comprehensive social networking guidelines are now available (see the link in the left navigation) and customizable social networking page images can be found on the Images Library.
New Web templates: Updated 10/03/09
Updated Web templates are available for download. Three fully-coded options are included.
Template Features
960 pixels wide (with 760 pixel wide header and footer alternatives)- tableless XHTML coding
- Driven to Discover branding
- code based on the 960.gs grid system
- centered (not left justified)
- optional horizontal navigation below the header
- optional unit-specific footer above the template footer
- print style sheet
Template Change Log
Some fixes and changes have already been added to the new templates. Check the template change log for a rundown of what has changed and be sure to download new templates if necessary.
Show off your digital communications
Web sites—E-mail the link of your Web site or blog that uses the new Web templates, or send us an example of your HTML e-mail. We're making a list of new template users.
HTML e-mail—Send in your HTML e-mail using the e-mail templates to showcase your solution with the University community.
New Policy
The Use of the University's Trademarks, Logos, Colors, and Seal policy has been approved. The policy addresses branding for both print and electronic communications from the University. U Web developers should note that the Web template header and footer is now required on all umn.edu Web sites.
Checklists
Lost and confused? Use these checklists to make sure you've covered the basics before you publish a Web site, modify a template, or send your mass e-mail.
eCommunication Blog
The eCommunication Blog features 10 categories related to the work being done by the Electronic Communications team in University Relations.
You're invited to learn more about and share your own expertise and opinions on the following topics:
- Branding Policy
- Events Calendar
- Interactive Maps
- Mass-E-mail
- Multimedia Standards
- Search
- Social Networking
- UMContent
- Web Templates
- WWW Publishing Policy
UThink Blog templates
Customize your site's UThink blog with the Web templates. All three versions of the templates have been coded for the blogs—you just need to add your own unit's graphics, colors, or modified styles.
What's the timeline for converting to the new Web templates?
Most University Web sites should be using, at the least, the new header and footer—either 760 or 960 pixels wide—by the end of 2010.
Units that have application sites or other special circumstances that make it difficult to update their header and footer within that timeframe should contact University Relations.
New e-mail templates
Updated e-mail templates and header graphic options are now available for download. Changes include:
- new and corrected header graphic options
- total revision of text styles for better readability
- changes to third level heading style in HTML
- additional boilerplate text to aid deliverability
- stupid oversights remedied
Join the listserv
To receive ongoing information about Web templates, e-mail templates, and standards related to all electronic communications, join the Web_Templates listserv (old name, expanded topics).
Tell us what you think
E-mail your comments and questions related to the standards and templates. What works, what doesn't work, what's missing, what else do you want to know....?