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- NZERN Pipi 2003 – 2005 Development Plan
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Last Updated
11/06/2025
NZERN Pipi 2003 – 2005 Development Plan
By: Mike Peters, Greg Comfort, Denise Ford, Pipi Steering Committee
NZERN: 09/10/2003
NZERN Pipi 2003 – 2005 Development Plan
Version 2.8
9 October 2003
“A way of providing really useful information to local communities
protecting and restoring our native plant and animal
ecosystems.”
Mike Peters, Greg Comfort, Denise Ford, Pipi Steering Committee
2003
Pipi 2003-2005 Development Plan
Published by the Bush Telly Trust for NZERN. October
2003.
© NZERN 2003
Printed by the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT)
Printery on a Xerox 6180.
Version 2.8
Permission is given to make copies if they will not be sold for a profit.
Excerpts may be used as long as the source is acknowledged.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information included
in the plan. NZERN accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions in
the information.
Funding
NZERN would like to especially thank the Terrestrial and Freshwater
Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme for financial assistance
towards the preparation of this development plan. The TFBIS Programme
is funded by the Government to help to achieve the goals of the New Zealand
Biodiversity Strategy, and is administered by the Department of
Conservation.
Document Locations
NZERN intranet
Project:\NZERN\Pipi\122_2003_0205PipiPlan\2_8\Plan.doc
Publisher
BushTelly:\Publications\report\PipiDevelopmentPlan0305ver2_8.doc
Restoration Library
Completed Projects > 122 Pipi 2003 – 2005 Development Plan
NZERN website
http://www.members.bush.org.nz/project/index.cfm?NavItemId=550&ProjectID=122
New Zealand Ecological Restoration Network Inc (NZERN)
PO Box 9000 Christchurch New Zealand
Web: www.bush.org.nz Email: office@bush.org.nz
Phone: 64+ 03 338-5451
Fax: 64+ 03 338-5481
Contents at a Glance
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Summary 11
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Introduction 13
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Section A: Existing System 15
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Section B: What our Members Need and Want 35
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Section C: System Required 41
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Section D: Production System Hosting Options 47
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Section E: Action Plan 51
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Appendix 61
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Background Material 67
Hosting Agreements
www.bush.org.nz/support/
Health & Safety Plan
www.bush.org.nz/support/
CONTENTS
- 1. Summary
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1.1 The purpose of this report
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1.2 A living document
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1.3 Summary of recommendations
- 2. Introduction
SECTION A: EXISTING SYSTEM
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3. NZERN organisational framework
- 3.1 NZERN members
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3.2 NZERN structure
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3.3 Pipi volunteers
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3.4 Bush Telly Trust
- 4. Pipi operations
- 4.1 Hosting
- 4.2 Budget
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4.3 Development system
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4.4 Production system
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5. Information management
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5.1 NZERN information sources
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5.1.1 Form input
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5.1.2 Pipi Database
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5.1.3 Restoration Library
- 5.1.4 Spatial data
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5.1.5 Other databases
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5.1.6 Email mailboxes
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5.1.7 Expert knowledge
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5.2 Member organisation information sources
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5.2.1 New Zealand Trust for Conservation Volunteers
(NZTCV)
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5.2.2 Trees for Survival Trust
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5.2.3 New Zealand Native Forest Restoration Trust
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5.2.4 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NZ)
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5.2.5 Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust (QEII)
- 5.2.6 Iwi
- 5.2.7 Other groups
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5.3 Department of Conservation (DoC) information sources
- 5.3.1 DoC Website
- 5.3.2 Bioweb
- 5.3.3 DOCgis
- 5.3.4 Publications
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5.3.5 Biodiversity Information online
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5.4 Landcare Research information sources
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5.4.1 Landcare Research Website
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5.4.2 NZ Plant Names Database
- 5.4.3 NVS database
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5.4.4 Manaaki Whenua Press
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5.5 Other information sources
- 5.5.1 NIWA
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5.5.2 Ornithological Society of NZ
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5.5.3 NZ Threatened Plant Conservation Network
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5.5.4 NZ Landcare Trust
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5.5.5 Forest & Bird
- 5.5.6 LENZ
- 5.5.7 LINZ
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5.5.8 CommunityNet Aotearoa
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5.5.9 Coastal Dune Vegetation Network (CDVN)
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6. How system was developed
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6.1 Resources
- 6.1.1 Volunteers
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6.1.2 Software & hardware
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6.1.3 Training & books
- 6.2 Methodology
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6.3 What could go wrong?
SECTION B: WHAT OUR MEMBERS NEED AND WANT
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7. Fast cheap simple access
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8. One-stop-shop for very busy people
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9. Data integration of Pipi’s Components
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9.1 Group & Membership Management
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9.2 Site Management
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9.3 Nursery Management
- 9.4 EcoTrack
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9.5 Financial & Project Management
- 9.6 Planter Guide
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9.7 Online magazine
- 9.8 Downloads
- 10. Accessibility
- 11. Localisation
- 12. Formats
- 12.1 HTML 4
- 12.2 XHTML
- 12.3 WML
- 12.4 Flash 6
- 12.5 Web Services
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13. Computer literacy
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14. Support available
- 15. Web hosting
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16. Outsourcing for bigger groups
- 16.1 Messaging
- 16.2 Help Desk
- 16.3 Databases
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16.4 Document store
- 17. Data sharing
SECTION C: SYSTEM REQUIRED
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18. Rapid Development
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19. Content Management
- 20. Maps
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21. Video & radio
SECTION D: PRODUCTION SYSTEM HOSTING OPTIONS
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22. Option 1: Hosting plan with ISP
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23. Option 2: Use co-located leased servers
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24. Option 3: Use co-located owned servers
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25. Option 4: Use NZERN in-house servers
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26. Option 5: Mixed environment
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27: Cost benefit analysis of options
SECTION E: ACTION PLAN
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28. Implementation
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28.1 Option selected
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28.2 Fix the obvious first
- 28.3 User driven
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28.4 Development best practice
- 28.5 Action steps
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29. Requirements
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29.1 Data requirements
- 29.2 Applications
- 29.3 Software
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29.4 Hardware Platform
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29.4.1 Development environment
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29.4.2 Production environment
- 29.5 Spatial
- 29.6 Broadcast
- 29.7 Hosting
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29.8 Books and training
- 29.9 Security
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29.10 Documentation
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29.11 Disaster recovery
- 30. Timeline
- 31. Costs
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31.1 Operational budget
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31.2 Capital budget
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31.3 Human resources
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31.4 Management structure
- 31.5 Suppliers
APPENDIX
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32.1 Acknowledgements
- 32.2 Schedules
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32.3 Hosting charges
- 32.4 Glossary
- 32.5 References
BACKGROUND MATERIAL
Web Statistics September 2003
Writing for the Web
HOSTING AGREEMENTS
HEALTH & SAFETY PLAN
1. Summary
1.1 The purpose of this report
The scope of this report is to look at where we want to be in one to two
years time with Pipi and the www.bush.org.nz website it drives. Having a
plan is important so work can be done without wasting volunteer effort,
scarce resources or duplicating services.
Pipi is the computer application that drives the website of the New Zealand
Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN) at www.bush.org.nz. NZERN is
dedicated to encouraging public involvement in conservation. The website was
designed and built by volunteers from dozens of community groups. 12,000
hours was donated from 1997 - 2003 for this massive design task. Members of
NZERN get a password to enter their own information into Pipi. All the
information available at www.bush.org.nz comes from Pipi.
Current challenges faced with the development of Pipi:
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The growing complexity of Pipi & growing number of users.
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Pipi needs to be quick and easy to use for most users.
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Pipi requires a well thought out plan to add new features.
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Greater code efficiency is required to prevent rework for
volunteers.
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The volunteer skill requirements and training to meet any
gaps.
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The scale of hardware & software purchases needs a clear migration
path.
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The budget requirements for successful operation of Pipi.
The authors are the members of the Pipi Steering Committee, a committee of
NZERN with information technology management expertise that has been
delegated the control over the direction, development and day-to-day
operation of Pipi.
1.2 A Living Document
This report will be available as a document at
www.bush.org.nz/download/
It will also form the basis of the
online documentation of Pipi at www.bush.org.nz/support/ and will evolve
over time.
1.3 Summary of recommendations
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Make Pipi a lot easier to use for members when logging on with
passwords.
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Upgrade Pipi’s content management system to quickly collect, manage and
publish information in any format required. This includes multiple
languages and caters for different users. A magazine format shall be
presented at the front of www.bush.org.nz. Maps, sound files and video
will be introduced.
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Provide hosting for member groups including access to databases and maps
over the Internet (GIS).
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Reorganise the volunteer teams who work on Pipi so that 24 hr production
of services has priority over development of new services. This to be done
within 6 months.
2. Introduction
NZERN is a non-profit community organisation founded in 1997. It has become
a membership-based network of community groups, native plant nurseries,
runanga, schools and farmers involved in the hands on protection and
ecological restoration of native habitat in Aotearoa-New
Zealand.
NZERN also has the active support and membership of many agencies who
support community lead conservation efforts, including DoC conservancies,
regional & local councils, QEII, WWF-NZ, NZTCV etc.
NZERN is organised into regional branches and is run by volunteers from 200
organisations when they are not busy knocking off possums or planting native
trees.
NZERN provides cooperatively owned support services to save duplication of
scarce resources so more planting, weeding and pest control gets done
including:
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Informal network to foster collaboration and the sharing of
information
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Database driven public website at www.bush.org.nz with free passwords for
members to enter information using standard forms
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Free materials for school & community nurseries in some
areas
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Funds for field days
- Print Publications
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National training program
- Help desk.
Information is provided in different formats:
- Field days
- Print publications
- Video
- Web.
Pipi, the computer application that supports the website, is highly cost
effective in meeting these objectives. It can reach many more people, more
cheaply, than any of the other information formats. Information can be found
whenever it is needed and can be updated easily by members.
NZERN has been financed since inception from membership fees, in-kind
donations of labour, donated goods, use of homes and vehicles to the value
of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
NZERN has won official recognition and so received significant government
funding over the last 12 months. However a majority of NZERN services and
projects continue to rely on private donations.
SECTION A: EXISTING SYSTEM
3. NZERN organisational framework
3.1 NZERN members
Members are made up of a large range of people, from all walks of life, all
interested in protecting and restoring the natural environment. NZERN is
structured around group membership (family, non-profit, small business and
corporate). Individuals usually get free membership simply by belonging to a
group that is itself a member of NZERN.
3.2 NZERN Structure
NZERN has a national office, and three existing branches (Southern,
Central, Northern). There is an Auckland organising committee, to form a
branch there. Branches are added as NZERN grows. The elected National
Council supported by an Advisory Panel leads NZERN. The day-to-day
responsibility for project management is the responsibility of the National
Management Committee.
3.3 Pipi volunteers
The Pipi computer system is managed and run by a volunteer subgroup of
NZERN:
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Pipi Steering Committee
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Development & operations team.
3.4 Bush Telly Trust
A separate charitable trust to provide television, radio and print media
services.
4. Pipi operations
4.1 Hosting
Although the NZERN website is hosted in more than one place the user sees a
single site. Prior to 2000 the website was hosted at no cost to
NZERN by Plain Communications and Converge.
From 2000 – 2002 Landcare Research provided 100Mb of space at no cost to
NZERN for www.bush.org.nz
Since 2002 a commercial ISP has hosted www.members.bush.org.nz.
Since 2003 Landcare Research has generously provided 500Mb of space at no
cost to NZERN for:
- www.bush.org.nz
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www.images.bush.org.nz
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www.maps.bush.org.nz
This arrangement is secured by a 5-year hosting agreement covering
2003-2005 between Landcare Research and NZERN.
www.bush.org.nz
Frame hosted on Landcare Research web server
Visitors to web site see this page
members.bush.org.nz Content from ISP hosted ColdFusion server
images.bush.org.nz
Images hosted on Landcare Research server
maps.bush.org.nz
Static map images hosted on Landcare Research server
ISP hosted database server
4.2 Budget
Generalised annual operational costs
Most of the other costs of maintaining this system are hidden as part of
in-kind donations and sponsorship.
4.3 Development system
A development system is located at the NZERN office for the design and
pre-testing of databases and additions to the website. Raw bulk data is
massaged, compiled and uploaded to the production database. It comprises a
database server and advanced database manipulation tools, test website, web,
video and graphic design suites, office software, programming language tools
and much more.
4.4 Production system
The production system is located on servers at Landcare Research and a
commercial ISP. It comprises a Microsoft SQL 2000 database server, Microsoft
IIS5 web server, Macromedia ColdFusion 5.0 server, and Macromedia ColdFusion
MX server.
5. Information management
This section lists the sources of information that NZERN uses for
Pipi.
5.1 NZERN information sources
NZERN has its own information resources.
5.1.1 Form Input
Members using standard forms, supply a regular stream of data directly into
Pipi. There is a system of editors to check and approve much of this
data.
5.1.2 Pipi Database
Data is stored on a Microsoft SQL2000 Database. It has 448 tables.
Currently 20% of the data held in the database is accessible from the
website www.bush.org.nz to end-users.
5.1.3 Restoration Library
Information is stored in print publications. Much of the information has
been deposited by member organisations of NZERN.
The publishing unit of DoC Science and Research have been generous in
providing copies of publications to be stored in the restoration library.
Manaaki Whenua Press have also generously provided copies of publications
for the restoration library.
Formats include books, pamphlets, clippings, magazines, maps, badges, and
photos. The information is organised by the NZERN reference number given to
the “owning” or publishing organisation. An index of organisations can be
found at www.bush.org.nz/organisation/. The information is stored on wooden
shelves and in cardboard file boxes.
The library is used both as a resource by the NZERN help desk to answer
user enquiries and as a resource for the projects of NZERN.
5.1.4 Spatial data
Valuable ESRI shape files, DEM files, coverage’s and raster imagery (air
photos) are stored on a development server accessible to the GIS
workstation. Copies of shape files exist on CD-ROM. Various
institutions have been generous in providing these data sets for use for
conservation by a non-profit group and access for commercial use is
prevented.
5.1.5 Other databases
Other smaller databases are regularly received (normally in Access format
or Excel) and are stored while waiting to be integrated into Pipi’s central
database.
5.1.6 Email mailboxes
NZERN has received a treasure trove of email since 1997 from active or
informed people across New Zealand. Much of this email correspondence
includes attachments or useful information in the body of messages and waits
processing.
5.1.7 Expert knowledge
There is a vast wealth of knowledge and experience presently buried in the
heads of NZERN members. Part of the mission of NZERN is to capture this
information overtime and deposit it into Pipi where it can then become part
of our collective knowledge.
5.1.7 Project files
A vast amount of information is stored in cardboard file wallets. Each
wallet contains information for one project and is numbered and named. An
index is found at www.bush.org.nz/nzern/project/. The wallets are stored in
metal filing cabinets. Information in electronic form is stored on a file
server using a directory structure similar to the cardboard file
wallets.
5.2 Member organisation information sources
Much valuable information is held by organisations that are members of
NZERN. Most is in print format in archives and cardboard boxes. Some is in
electronic format on workstations. An even smaller proportion is publicly
available via websites. As www.bush.org.nz develops into a major portal for
public involvement in New Zealand conservation, bringing attention to these
other data sources becomes very important. Being able to assist these
conservation groups with their data management requirements and web hosting
has been a priority.
5.2.1 New Zealand Trust for Conservation Volunteers (NZTCV)
The Trust acts as a national volunteer broker for local conservation
groups, DoC and other agencies. Many NZERN members are grateful for the help
from volunteers that NZTCV provides. The trust holds information about
project providers and interested volunteers. Has a database driven
website.
www.conservationvolunteers.org.nz
5.2.2 Trees for Survival Trust
Rotary NZ set up this trust some years back. Local service clubs find the
resources to provide a school with a propagation unit for growing native
plants for conservation projects. They also supply seedlings and growing
materials each year to the school. The trust supports schools with 92
growing units nationwide. Holds information about schools, what they are
propagating and the sites where the plants end up.
www.treesforsurvival.org.nz
5.2.3 New Zealand Native Forest Restoration Trust
Campaigns tirelessly for the purchase of large blocks of land to restore
back into native forest. There is a wealth of knowledge about land purchase
and forest restoration.
www.nfrt.org.nz
5.2.4 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NZ)
“Since its establishment, WWF-New Zealand has worked with researchers,
scientists, other conservationists, local communities, business and
government to address pressing conservation issues.
In New Zealand, WWF has made significant contributions to conservation
through on-the-ground projects, advocacy and environmental
education.
WWF-New Zealand's Head Office is based at the Treehouse in Wellington's
Botanic Gardens, and is governed by a Board of Trustees. It has a
Conservation Advisory Panel, which provides specialist information to the
Board on its conservation programme. The panel draws on a wider professional
peer network.” - WWF
WWF-NZ administers the Tindal Foundation funded Habitat Protection Fund
(HPF) that has aided many schools and community groups to carry out
restoration projects.
WWF-NZ also provides educational resources and training to
schools.
www.wwf.org.nz
5.2.5 Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust (QEII)
One of the National Trust's principal functions is to protect privately
owned areas of open space, without jeopardising the rights of ownership.
While private landowners may sell or gift land to the Crown or a local
authority as a reserve, many wish to protect their land while retaining
ownership: Open Space Covenants allow this to occur.
A Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Open Space Covenant is a legal
agreement between the National Trust and a landowner to protect a special
open space feature in perpetuity (or, occasionally, for a specified time).
Open space covenants are usually initiated by the landowner, as the National
Trust recognises the importance of the landowners goodwill and commitment
for the ongoing care and management of the covenanted
area.
To date, around 1,700 Open Space Covenants covering in excess of 62,000
hectares have been registered. These covenants protect a variety of open
space, including forest and forest remnants, wetlands, lakes, peat lakes,
coastline, tussock grasslands, tracts of rural landscape, archaeological
sites, and geological formations.
Open Space is the official publication of the QEII National Trust. It
contains feature articles on Open Space Covenants, Land Management,
Conservation and Biodiversity issues. National Trust members receive the 20+
page full colour magazine as part of their subscription.
57 issues of Open Space have been published to date.
The trust is currently integrating their information resources and
migrating to a comprehensive database/GIS setup.
www.nationaltrust.org.nz
5.2.6 Iwi
Information relating to Mahinga Kai species, their cultural use and correct
names for places has been supplied.
5.2.7 Other groups
Pipi is expected to handle other sources of information that will become
available over time.
5.3 Department of Conservation (DoC) information sources
The Department of Conservation is the New Zealand government agency with
responsibility for managing the publicly owned conservation estate. It has a
lot of information of value to community lead conservation efforts. DoC has
a legacy of 800 Access databases that are currently being moved to an
integrated SQL server platform. This work will be in a ready state in 18
months.
5.3.1 DoC website
There is a wealth of information on DoC’s public website.
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Recreational opportunities, facilities and services available
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Natural, cultural and historic values, and their conservation
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Active conservation – the role of DoC in actively conserving managed
areas, community involvement and education, etc.
DoC also has a number of useful emailed publications including “What’s up
Doc”.
www.doc.govt.nz
5.3.2 Bioweb
“BioWeb is a system that allows DOC to record facts and figures about flora
and fauna and archaeological sites of interest to the Department on a
national basis. It allows DOC to see what New Zealand has, where it is, its
condition, what DOC is doing about it and with what success in dealing with
specific threats. When it is complete it will contain species, monitoring
and management data on weeds, native/threatened plants, archaeological
sites, birds, herpetofauna, invertebrates and casual field observations as
well as links to complementary systems. The various subsystems store
the key information that is required to assist DoC staff at all levels.
Species information captured includes descriptions, references, New Zealand
threat status (or the status of the threat to NZ) and photographs.
Observations made by DoC staff are entered into the system whose visible
face is a web application that has many features. All species searches
automatically search common names and synonyms in addition to scientific
names. Pre-formatted reports provide data for the most common questions
while an ad-hoc querying tool allows further interrogation of the data. All
reports can be created as pdf, doc or xls files. The system is available
read only to all DoC staff and Extranet users, and information can be added
by DoC staff who have undergone training.” - DoC
NZERN has access to some of BIP via an account.
5.3.3 DoCgis
GIS information is being made publicly available via DoC’s extranet. An
updated version will be available any day.
http://extranet.doc.govt.nz/bip/
5.3.4 Publications
The publishing unit of DoC Science and Research publishes results of
research in printed form. These publications are available for purchase and
through the public library system. Increasingly, these are being made
available freely in downloadable PDF format.
www.doc.govt.nz/publications/
5.3.5 Biodiversity Information online
“…provides information about Aotearoa New Zealand’s native biodiversity,
what is being done to help conserve and manage it, and who is involved. The
information and work programmes covered in this site are part of New
Zealand’s long-term commitment to conserve its natural heritage under the
New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.
The site pulls together existing resources scattered across other websites
and publications.
It provides up-to-date information on the government programmes set up to
help halt the decline of New Zealand’s native biodiversity, and it provides
information and links to the valuable work of other agencies, organisations
and individuals.”
– Biodiversity Information online
www.biodiversity.govt.nz
5.4 Landcare Research information sources
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research is New Zealand’s crown research
institute charged with environmental research, sustainable management of
land resources including conserving and restoring natural
ecosystems.
5.4.1 Landcare Research website
This award winning website is an increasingly important resource to find
out about the excellent environmental research being done by Landcare
Research.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz
5.4.2 NZ Plant Names Database
This is a nationally significant database. It is a searchable website.
Developing Web services.
http://nzflora.landcareresearch.co.nz
5.4.3 NVS database
The National Vegetation Survey Databank (NVS) is a physical archive of
sample plots. NVS is a nationally significant database funded by the
Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). NVS is currently
being remodelled.
http://nvs.landcareresearch.co.nz
5.4.4 Land Resource Inventory
A spatial database of polygons, each of which describes a parcel of land in
terms of rock, soil, slope, erosion and vegetation.
www.landcareresearch.co.nz/databases/nzlri.asp
5.4.5 Manaaki Whenua Press
Manaaki Whenua Press is the publisher of fruits of research by staff at
Landcare Research. Produces and distribute New Zealand natural history and
science publications. It has an online bookstore and an extensive backlist
of titles going back 40 years.
www.mwpress.co.nz
5.5 Other sources
5.5.1 NIWA
NIWA is a crown agency that specialises in research of freshwater and
marine areas. It has a number of valuable resources coming on
line.
www.niwa.cri.nz
5.5.2 Ornithological Society of NZ
Founded in 1939, the OSNZ now has about 1000 financial members worldwide. A
feature of OSNZ is the diversity of its membership, which ranges from
professional ornithologists and government institutions in New Zealand and
overseas through secondary and tertiary students and experienced amateur
observers to learners and beginners. No special qualifications are required
for admission and membership is open to all who are interested in birds.
OSNZ is the gatherer and holder of taxonomic and observational data about
birds with the New Zealand Recognised Bird Names (NZRBN) Database and the
long running Birds Distribution Atlas.
www.osnz.org.nz
5.5.3 NZ Threatened Plant Conservation Network
The network distributes information about the conservation of threatened
native plants and their threat status. It has an online
database.
www.nzpcn.org.nz
5.5.4 NZ Landcare Trust
The trust provides practical assistance to rural landcare groups in a wide
range of areas of sustainable land management. Its website includes a great
deal of useful information resources. For example, the SHMAK kit
guide.
www.landcare.org.nz
5.5.5 Forest & Bird
New Zealand’s oldest and largest conservation organisation. There is a lot
of detailed information mainly from a web version of their excellent
magazine. Also conservation campaigns to protect NZ
biodiversity.
www.forest-bird.org.nz
5.5.6 LENZ
LENZ (Land Environments of New Zealand) is an environmental classification
intended to underpin a range of conservation and resource management issues.
Data is available in GIS-system format (ESRI shape files) on
CD-ROM
www.lenz.landcareresearch.co.nz/public/publichome.aspx
5.5.7 LINZ
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is responsible for providing New
Zealand's authoritative land and seabed information.
Data for download available includes Topo-online, Ortho photos, some free
maps and the NZ Geographic Placenames Database.
www.linz.govt.nz
5.5.8 CommunityNet Aotearoa
Dept of Internal Affairs sponsored website with loads of useful information
about formally establishing a group, starting a community project and other
resources.
www.community.net.nz
5.5.9 Coastal Dune Vegetation Network (CDVN)
The Coastal Dune Vegetation Network is a collaborative research network
involving Forest Research and coastal managing agencies and user groups.
More than 200 organisations and individuals are involved in the Network,
including Regional and District Councils, other CRIs, forestry companies,
tertiary education institutes, iwi, consultants, nurseries, and community
groups such as Beach Care and Coast Care.
A high quality full colour technical bulletin series outlines practical
guidelines and key information on different issues of interest to coastal
managers and users.
www.forestresearch.co.nz
6. How system was developed
Pipi was designed and built by volunteers from dozens of community groups.
12,000 hours were donated from 1997 - 2003 for this massive design
task.
6.1 Resources
6.1.1 Volunteers
Pipi Steering Committee
Six volunteers with information technology management expertise act as the
Pipi Steering Committee. The committee includes a voting nominee from
Landcare Research. The committee have been delegated control by NZERN over
the planning, development and day-to-day operation of Pipi.
The committee members are: From Wellington - Parker Jones (MIRO). From
Christchurch - Greg Comfort (Landcare Research Nominee), Denise Ford (Travis
Wetland Trust), Dave Evans (Native Habitats), Mike Peters (Addington Bush
Society), Crile Doescher (Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration
Trust) (till May 2003) and Harry Boufal (Bexley Wetland Trust) (since August
2003).
Denise Ford is Operations manager. Jason Gleason (Tararu Valley Sanctuary
and Conservation Trust) and Dave Evans are responsible for the System
administration, security, and networking. Mike Peters is Development
manager, System architect and reports to NZERN’s National Management
Committee.
Pipi Developer & Operations Team Twenty volunteers make up the “Pipi
Developer & Operations” team. The team is spread from across NZ and
overseas. The range of skills found among the team include:
- Visual Basic
- Java Script
- Cobol
- ColdFusion
- SQL
-
Development of Access & SQL 7/2000 Server databases
- GIS (ESRI)
-
Networking and system administration
-
HTML, XML & WAP
- Flash
- Project management
Some of the team are frequent contributors to Pipi’s development and
operations. Others occasionally provide skilled advice or work on a
short-term project. All contributions are valuable and
appreciated.
6.1.2 Software & hardware
Software
Software has been purchased or donated for NZERN with the generous
assistance of the TFBIS Programme, Parker & Carol Jones Trust, ESRI US,
Eagle Technology Group Ltd, WWF-NZ (Habitat Protection Fund) and Microsoft
Software Foundation.
This software includes:
-
Adobe Photoshop 7, Premier 6.5
- Embarcadero
-
ER Studio, DT Studio (both owned by supporter)
- ESRI
- Arc View 8.2
- Macromedia
-
Cold Fusion Studio 4, Macromedia Cold Fusion Server 5.0, Studio MX
(Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, FreeHand)
-
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP
Professional IIS 5.0, Office 97 Professional, Office 2000 Professional,
Office XP Professional, Project 2000, Visio Professional 2002, Visual
Studio 6, SQL 2000 Server, Front Page 98, Publisher 2000
-
Seagate Crystal Reports 8.5
Hardware
Workstations, Servers and network equipment have been purchased or donated.
This has been possible due to the generous assistance of The Community
Trust, Poneki area office of DoC, WWF – NZ, Redworks Ltd, the TFBIS
Programme, The Court Theatre, Dave Evans, Edith Jones, Fujitsu New Zealand,
Christchurch City Council, North Canterbury area office of DoC.
6.13 Training & books
Training Many volunteers are self-taught. NZERN organises learning
opportunities for volunteers thru working on projects. Software books are
made available and access is provided to workstations. On-line help forums
have also been a critical means of up skilling. The NZ Computer Society,
Project Management Institute (PMI) and ESRI User Group evening functions
have proved invaluable.
Books
Volunteers have paid for and donated $4K books prior to 2002. Generous
donations of $500 from Poneki DoC in 2001 and $3K from the TFBIS Programme
in 2003 enabled the purchase of more software books. A generous discount has
been provided by Dymocks – Wellington on all software book titles.
Many books come with content in PDF on a CD-ROM or companion
website.
Some of the software books currently found in the Pipi Library are listed
here.
Addison Wesley
-
Broadband Internet Connections 0-201-73827-9
Adobe Press
-
Adobe Premier 6.0 User Guide
-
Adobe Photoshop 7.0 User Guide
Bigelow
-
Troubleshooting, Maintaining & Repairing PCs
0-07-213272-8
Computer Step
-
Photoshop 7 In Easy Steps 1-84078-218-8
-
Flash MX in Easy Steps 1-84078-229-3
ESRI Press
-
Mapping Our World 1-58948-022-8
-
Modelling Our World The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Design
1-879102-62-5
-
GIS for Everyone 1-58948-0560-2
-
The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis 1-879102-06-4
-
Geographic Information Systems and Science 0-471-89275-0
-
Marine Geography GIS for the Oceans and Seas 1-58948-045-7
Hentzenweke Publishing
-
Essential Source Safe 1-930919-05-0
IDG
-
Access 97 Bible 0-7645-3035-6
-
Teach Yourself Visual Basic 6 0-7645-7516-3
Macromedia Press
-
Macromedia Cold Fusion MX Web Application Construction Kit
0-321-12516-9
-
Advanced Macromedia Cold Fusion MX Application Construction Kit
0-321-12710-2
-
Macromedia Flash MX Production Techniques 0-321-12398-0
Marron
-
Teach Yourself Visually Fireworks 4 0-7645-3566-8
-
Master Visually Windows 2000 Server 0-7645-3426-2
M&T
-
MSDE Developer’s Guide 0-7645-4698-8
- Microsoft Press
-
Microsoft Visio 2002 Inside Out, Microsoft Press
0-7356-1285-4
-
Microsoft Window 2000 Professional Resource Kit 1-57231-808-2
-
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Operations Guide 0-7356-1796-1
-
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Deployment Planning Guide
0-7356-1794-5
-
Inside Microsoft SQL Server 2000 0-7356-0998-5
-
Users Guide for Microsoft Project 98
-
Users Guide for Microsoft Project 2000
New Riders
-
Inside Coldfusion MX 0-7357-1304-9
-
SQL Server 7 Essential Reference 0-7357-0864-9
-
Flash MX Audio Magic 0-7357-1194-1
-
Photoshop 7 Magic 0-7357-1264-6
-
Windows 2000 Server Professional Reference 0-7357-0952-1
O’Reilly
-
Pearl in a Nutshell 1-56592-286-7
Osborne
-
MCSE Lab Manual Windows 2000 Server 0-07-222301-4
-
Visual Studio 6: The Complete Reference 0-07-882583-0
-
SQL: A Beginners Guide 0-07-213096-2
Peachpit
-
Macromedia Dreamweaver MX for Windows and Macintosh
0-2018-4445-1
-
Macromedia Flash MX: Visual QuickStart Guide 0-2017-9481-0
-
Macromedia Flash MX Advanced: Visual QuickStart Guide
0-2017-5846-6
-
HTML 4 for the World Wide Web Visual QuickStart Guide
0-2013-5493-4
-
XML for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide
0-201-71098-6
-
Macromedia Flash MX Production Techniques 0-3211-2398-0
-
Premiere 6.5 for Windows & Mackintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
0-321-13008-1
-
Macromedia ColdFusion MX Development with Dreamweaver MX: Visual QuickPro
Guide 0-321-15802-4
-
SQL: Visual Quickstart Guide 0-201-11803-0
-
Microsoft Powerpoint 2002/2001: Visual Quickstart Guide
0-201-77585-9
-
PDF with Acrobat: Visual Quickstart Guide 0-201-74144-X
-
FreeHand 9 for Windows & Mackintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
0-201-35489-6
Premier Press
-
Macromedia ColdFusion MX Professional Projects 1-59200-012-6
Prentice Hill
-
Advanced Macromedia Flash MX Action Script in Action
0-1303-8460-7
-
The Streaming Media Handbook 0-13-035813-4
-
Essential ColdFusion 4.5 for Web Professionals 0-13-040646-5
QUE
-
Techtv Guide to Creating Digital Video Like a Pro
0-7897-2656-4
-
Absolute Beginners Guide to Personal Firewalls 0-7897-2625-4
-
The ColdFusion 4.0 Web Application Construction Kit
0-7897-1809-X
-
Advanced ColdFusion 4.0 Application 0-7897-1810-3
-
Special Edition Using Microsoft Project 98 0-7897-1252-0
Sams
-
Teach Yourself ColdFusion Express in 24 Hours 0-672-31662-5
-
Microsoft Access Developer Guide to SQL Server 0-672-31944-6
-
Apache Server Survival Guide 1-57521-175-0
Sybex
-
Mastering Windows 2000 Server. 4th ed 0-7821-4043-2 Mastering ColdFusion
4.5 0-7821-2773-8
-
Photoshop Savvy 0-7821-4110-2
Wiley
-
Adobe Premiere 6.5 Bible 0-7645-1830-5
-
50 Fast Adobe Premiere 6.5 Techniques 0-7465-2445-3
-
The Data Model Resource Book 0-471-38023-7
-
Complete Flash Remoting MX 0-7645-2586-7
-
Content Management Bible 0-7645-4862-X
Wrox
-
SQL Server 2000 Stored Procedures Handbook 1-86100-825-2
6.2 Methodology
Pipi has been built iteratively, brick by brick with each component having
to be immediately useful. This is similar to Extreme Programming in some
respects. So each new feature is designed and built in a basic state. It
then gets used and then added too (“tweaking”). This is a low risk strategy
but not necessarily efficient use of human labour.
Several times a year a new little database is contributed by a community
group and ends up as a new module to Pipi. Examples include:
-
Addington Bush Society nursery database added in 1997.
-
Native Habitats “volunteer database for Christchurch” added in
1998.
As Pipi has grown, crises occur every few years, leading to qualitative
transformations to its inner workings to overcome a development
roadblock.
Pipi 1
1998-1999
Multiple linked Access databases render static html pages. Pages are
transferred to website. Input by 1 volunteer from paper forms mailed
in.
Pipi 2
2000-2001
Access database using Visual Basic stored in tables, render static html
pages. Pages are transferred to website. Input by 1 volunteer from email
generated by forms on website. Members have passwords to access
forms.
Pipi 3
2002-2003
The current system. A live MS SQL Server database and ColdFusion generated
website. Input by many members who have passwords to access forms. System of
editors approve changes using forms.
6.3 What could go wrong?
Security Any web site on the Internet is potentially threatened by a direct
attack from hackers or "infection" by destructive computer programs.
Computer sites connected to the Internet permanently, or for long periods of
time, are commonly targeted by hackers looking for suitable bases for
launching attacks on other organisations. The larger the number of computers
making up Pipi the harder it is to make sure they are all secure. The first
line of defence is a hardware firewall device between the Internet
connection and all the computers making up the site. The firewall freely
permits outgoing connections to the Internet, but allows incoming
connections only for specified purposes and to defined machines. This makes
it difficult for hackers to gain access to the Pipi computers.
Each computer behind the firewall is also protected by firewall software
that only allows Internet activity by software that has been approved by the
user. This measure helps guard against the use of the computers by viruses
and "Trojan horse" software. A security policy is in place to ensure that
passwords are complex enough to be extremely difficult to discover by trial
and error. Regular changes to passwords are also enforced. Accounts for the
many users have privileges tailored to the requirements and level of trust
accorded to the user. This protects against not only malicious damage, but
also inadvertent destruction of files by an inexperienced user.
Several of the databases hosted by Pipi are extremely valuable and access
to them must be controlled scrupulously. Preventing unauthorised access to
the computer directories where they are stored is a vital part of the
security policy. Demonstrable security of these databases is necessary to
ensure the ongoing privilege of hosting databases such as these. The need
for privacy and security in the area of printed documents is also recognised
and all sensitive papers are shredded before disposal.
The web site and database software making up the publicly visible part of
Pipi must also be secured against subversion. Hackers are constantly on the
lookout for ways in which legitimate program operations can be redirected to
compromise the security of publicly accessible computers. To guard against
this necessitates keeping the software constantly updated with the latest
security measures introduced as security holes are discovered. An automatic
process ensures that all machines are updated with the latest updates from
Microsoft without need for human intervention. NZERN is grateful to Kaon
Technologies for a pro bono security audit of the web site. This audit
did not discover any unknown vulnerabilities, but pointed up the necessity
for constant vigilance and a periodic audit process.
Software is in place to scan incoming email and disks for viruses and other
forms of destructive software. This software is also updated automatically
to ensure up-to-the-minute protection against threats transmitted over the
Internet.
Hazards The computers are also vulnerable to physical damage. Being
continuously connected to the mains they are susceptible to the destructive
effects of lightning strikes on the power network. To guard against this the
computers are connected to the mains via an Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS). The UPS not only provides protection against mains borne lightning
energy, but also power surges due to other malfunctions in the power
network. In the event of a power outage the UPS is able to sustain the
computers for long enough to be shut down gracefully, hence protecting the
validity of the databases.
Fire is another significant hazard. Smoke detectors are in
place.
Earthquake damage is also possible to equipment and volunteers. The
building is quite sturdy and timber framed, which minimizes this
risk.
Theft or break-in is a risk. However, having security monitoring in place
minimizes this risk. Also, someone is always living at the location, even if
the owners go on holiday.
Water damage from leaking roofs is also a potential problem. But, as
it is in a modern, well-maintained building, the risk is
minimised.
The strongest feature of NZERN, and at the same time potentially the
weakest link, is the community of volunteers that does all the work. Often
the knowledge central to the contribution by a volunteer is not recorded on
paper, or in a computer file, but resides solely within their brain. Should
this volunteer suffer a fatal accident, or simply burn out through overwork,
this knowledge could be impossible to recover. This would jeopardise the
operation or efficient development of the systems for which that volunteer
was responsible. To protect against this risk, NZERN is in the process
of documenting the computer system. NZERN does have a large network of
volunteers, and many of them share a growing knowledge base.
SECTION B: WHAT OUR MEMBERS NEED AND WANT
80 people participated in Pipi workshops held June-August 2003 in
Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Auckland. The workshops
were made possible for NZERN with funding from the TFBIS program. Regional
council and DoC conservancy staff kindly provided venue hosting, equipment
and a cup of tea for participants. The workshops generally lasted 3 hours.
The main purposes of these workshops were to:
-
Find out how useful www.bush.org.nz was seen to be
-
Discover what the needs and wants of NZERN’s users were
-
Discuss the potential needs of agencies and national
organisations
-
Avoid duplication of services
-
Sound people out on the main ideas in the Pipi Plan as it
developed
It was a collaborative planning process, leading to the development of this
plan. During the discussions, participants generally thought www.bush.org.nz
was useful; the simple low bandwidth layouts was appreciated, and Pipi had
enormous potential yet to be realised. Criticisms were made of NZERN’s
apparent lack of formal consultation with agencies that had plans of their
own. It was explained that NZERN had started from the grass roots, was until
recently poorly resourced, and its volunteers were very busy working on Pipi
or other services. These workshops were in fact the first opportunity since
1997 to discuss openly with a wider audience the hopes that many community
groups had in meeting their own needs by wanting to run their own ecological
restoration support services.
As a result of the workshops, a number of groups joined NZERN, supporters
in Auckland are now working to establish a local branch, and more volunteers
have come forward to work on Pipi and other NZERN provided
services.
Staff at agencies also offered to host another round of report-back
workshops in 2004 when the plan was completed and implementation was
underway.
7. Fast cheap simple access
The information supplied by Pipi needs to remain very easy to access, fast
to download with dial up access and an old computer, and be dirt cheap. Such
access is required for farmers living in rural areas with poor line quality
and low bandwidth. Simple layouts are a priority, with the optional use of
more graphical formats (eg Flash).
8. One stop shop for very busy people
The www.bush.org.nz website needs to be a place anyone can go to and
quickly find useful information about conservation in general and ecological
restoration in particular. Our target audience tend to be active busy
people. One password should access all services, with a common interface
except for server administration.
9. Data integration of Pipi’s Components
Databases are integrated with common fields. The data should only need to
be changed once in one place to update that information throughout the
system. Eg. the name of a group or the maximum height attribute of a
plant species.
The main components of Pipi are listed here.
9.1 Group & Membership Management
Pipi provides many features to support the management of an
ecological restoration group. These features include membership management,
allowing for online invitations and approval of membership applications.
Contact details and roles for the principal members of the group may be
recorded and contact details made available, along with a summary of the
purposes of the group. An event calendar may also be created. This records
regular and one-off events for advertisement on the NZERN noticeboard and
via the weekly email newsletter Kereru and its derivatives. Relevant World
Wide Web links may also be added to the group’s area on the web
site.
Forums and email lists can be created and used by a group.
Once a user has become a member of a group a personalised account on the
web site is available to them. If they wish they can make their personal
details available and contribute articles and photographs to the site. They
can control personal subscriptions to email newsletters, such as Kereru, and
join online forums in order to share knowledge with the wider restoration
community.
9.2 Site Management
Forms to record the protection, maintenance and ecological restoration of
an area of land or water habitat need to be made available.
9.3 Nursery Management
A special web based application useful for the functions of a native plant
nursery – seed collection, production and sale or distribution.
9.4 EcoTrack
A data entry and data storage area to record the biodiversity health of an
ecosystem. Automated data analysis provided by Pipi. Import/export facility
of data. User can send data on to NVS, DoC etc.
9.5 Financial & Project Management
Keep track of projects and budgets. Different user levels available, public
and private.
Reporting for funding applications, wages, volunteer hours, recording costs
& income against projects.
9.6 Planter Guide
A web based tool for the selection of suitable plants for planting. Pipi
will supply regular automated updates to Landcare Research for its green
toolbox database.
9.7 On–line magazine
A page updated daily of news and items of interest to readers. This will
mine the www.bush.org.nz website for content and provide links to content on
other useful websites. Eg: DoC, Landcare Research, NIWA, Forest & Bird
and Landcare Trust, fencepost.com. A national version needs to be located on
the main home page. Regional versions need to be located at the regional
home pages. Examples of what could be included:
-
“What’s up Doc” content linking to DoC website
- Weather maps
-
Maps to add more information to a story
-
Links to articles in newspapers
- Events for the day
-
Features introducing a particular group or restoration
project.
9.8 Downloads
Provide database driven PDF documents that can be downloaded and printed.
Restoration Directories will be automatically updated monthly.
9.9 Tool Box
An integrated toolbox for conservation needs to be built. This is a place
to go while carrying out a restoration project. It will be designed to work
with popular printed texts including the QEII Revegetation Manual and DOC’s
Protecting and Restoring our Natural Heritage – a Practical Guide.
Worksheets, forums, step-by-step examples need to be available. This is
another way to mine the www.bush.org.nz website and other
resources.
10. Accessibility
NZERN will adopt W3C accessibility and web standard guidelines. Special
pages will be created for Braille readers. Linear layout for voice software
needs to be provided.
11. Localisation
The website needs to have different languages, so that it is in the
language of the user eg English, Maori, Chinese. There have also been
requests for Pipi to drive similar websites for small island nations of the
Pacific.
12. Formats
The information needs to be presented in different formats to maximise the
usefulness to end-users. Some people have ancient computers that can only
access the most basic of web pages. Others have modern machines that are
built to work with all the bells and whistles. Some users prefer text to
read, others want more graphical forms. Pipi can provide for all these
options by enabling users to choose how they want www.bush.org.nz to appear
on their computer.
12.1 HTML 4.0
This is the current standard used on the website. No java script is
used.
12.2 XHTML 2.0
This is the new international standard for the web.
12.3 WML
The Internet for cell phones and other portable devices.
12.4 Flash 6
There is an option of database driven flash version of website using Flash
Remoting. NZERN plans to use small graphic files with Flash to enable fast
downloads. This is for those who want a visually rich website. It should
work well on slow lines but will require a modern machine capable of
installing the Flash plug-in.
According to research, Flash is installed on 90-95% of browsers using the
Internet.
12.5 Web Services
This is a technology using XML for sharing information between servers,
servers and clients.
13. Computer literacy
There are three skill levels found among users of the www.bush.org.nz
website. Each has specific requirements that are very different. Pipi needs
to cater for each skill level, by providing alternative interfaces. Members
will be able to choose and change their own personal interface.
Beginner
80% of Pipi users need simple interface with simplified menu –see only what
is needed. Wizards are provided for entering information.
Intermediate
15% of Pipi users are confident enough to use an interface with tree menu
on left and forms on right. They can use a searchable FAQ.
Advanced
5% of Pipi users require an interface similar to Dreamweaver or Photoshop.
This interface has advanced editing properties and a searchable
knowledgebase. These people are often the administrators on the website and
need to get a lot done fast.
14. Web hosting
Pipi needs to provide web hosting for member organisations. NZERN has
decided to provide web hosting, access to databases, GIS mapping, and other
services to financial member organisations of NZERN. We are able to do this
because we have a large and growing team of volunteers skilled in computer
systems, grants from DoC and support from the IT industry. This service will
be provided on a cost share basis with the aim to keep costs as low as
possible for everyone.
15. Support available
NZERN needs to provide hand holding by pool of volunteers, and provide a
“club” for webmasters of conservation groups. We need to assist conservation
groups to have reliable anti-virus and back up measures in
place.
16. Outsourcing for bigger groups
Larger groups and national organisations have different needs. Pipi needs
to provide extra services to assist these groups so they can focus on their
conservation efforts. Pipi will effectively be acting as their computer
department.
16.1 Messaging
Pipi needs to provide a central database to store email.
16.2 Help Desk
Pipi should include help desk facilities for groups that act as agencies by
supporting others. Catering for various contact methods - phone, email, fax,
postal, visit.
16.3 Databases
Databases need to be developed on request or links to sets of data
contained in Pipi.
16.4 Document store
NZERN needs a central archive, containing all of NZERN’s information as
well as member group documents. This will improve document security with the
option of sharing of particular documents enabled.
17. Data exchange
NZERN will need to send and receive data by automatic processes with a
number of mainly government agencies. DoC, Landcare Research and NIWA seem
the most obvious. This will put a lot of information at the fingertips of
the public in a way that’s useful. None of these government agencies are
ready yet to undertake automatic data exchange with NZERN because they are
all very busy sorting out their own systems. However very close contact is
being maintained with key people to enable this to happen in the future.
There is every reason to expect this to happen. The main thing to ensure now
is that the respective systems are being built in a way that enables data
exchange to take place in the easiest way possible. Methods could include
web services, linked servers and transfer of database files. Automatic data
exchange with regional and local government also seems very possible and
interest has been expressed at recent presentations given about Pipi. Some
early experimental examples can be built that will encourage other agencies
to co-operate and exchange data with community driven conservation
efforts.
SECTION C: SYSTEM REQUIRED
18. Rapid Development
Elegant systems are required at the core for Pipi to provide new features
in a flexible and rapid manner needed by the conservation movement. Reducing
the dependence on hand coding of web page templates is required and
increasing the role of automation will reduce the load on
volunteers.
Form Engine
Forms are used to collect information. There are currently 200 forms. The
form engine will create web page forms on the fly by way of a configuration
page. This will make redundant many hundreds of pages of existing hand
written code. The form engine will be a rebuild of the form engine in Pipi 2
that worked well. Publicly available open source code snippets can be
successfully integrated with the form engine. The forms can automatically be
provided in a format chosen by the user. Both HTML and Flash, choice of
language and written script will be options.
Source control
Source control will enable different teams to work independently on
developing different parts of Pipi at the same time. A web-based form can
collect changes to the ColdFusion code. Changes can then be uploaded on an
automated nightly build. This can be done using the existing Pipi render
engine, and the resulting templates sent by FTP to the production website.
Volunteer developers will book out code and version tracking will be
standard. Access to FTP accounts is available for Pipi
volunteers.
Project Management & Documentation
The successful completion of Pipi’s complex projects involving remote
volunteers will require strict project management. The project management
website, documentation and diagramming will be available over the network to
all team members.
Object orientated architecture
(This section borrows heavily on the writing of Benoit Hediard found at
www.benorama.com)
The objective of the latest web technologies and architectures is to avoid
the syndrome of the "spaghetti" code usually found in the web applications
developed few years ago and also found in Pipi. In a single ColdFusion page,
there will be a direct SQL query to the database, some internal business
logic to handle the data, all this mixed inside HTML in the middle of the
page with some presentation logic! This is very fast to develop but
impossible to maintain, to re-use or to display on a mobile
device.
Some examples of problems with such code structure:
-
Impossible to re-use code (presentation or business or data access logic
are completely mixed together)
-
If the name of a field is modified in a table, all scripts will have to
be checked and corrected
-
It is nearly impossible to use another output than HTML, to output WML or
connect to Flash. The application would likely have to be completely be
rewritten.
A new development methodology for Pipi is required. MCV (Model View
Controller) teases the various components out into self-contained modular
blocks of code sitting in layers. This will make it much easier for
development work to be broken up amongst different volunteer teams –
reducing backlogs. Security is enhanced especially protection of the
database from hackers.
The View Layer with ColdFusion Pages View pages call the model layer and
output the content (HTML 4.0, XHTML 2.0 WML, Flash, XML). The pages can use
simple scripts or more advanced XSL transformations if the model layer
returns XML. As in ASP.NET, it is a very good practice to
organize code on the top of the page, put all the business/data calls and
bind them to the rest of the page.
The Controller Layer with ColdFusion Scripts Controller scripts handle the
data submitted by a user, call the appropriate business/data access logic
and redirect the user to the correct view page.
The Model Layer with ColdFusion Components ColdFusion components
encapsulate all the business logic and all the data access logic related to
the application.
In a perfect world, each layer should be independent. But, most of
the time, trying to apply a 100% pure MVC architecture to the web is pretty
difficult. With current thin HTML client and HTTP protocol, the controller
cannot call the view layer. Moreover MVC has been designed for application
development, not web sites. In the following guidelines, the
ColdFusion controller layer is only used to handle data submitted through
HTTP POST (through forms). The most important thing in web
application is to separate the content from the presentation and logic,
because there may be many different View layer types (HTML, WML, Flash),
many data sources (SGBD, XML ...) and it may be required to re-use or share
presentation/business/model logic. The main advantages of the MVC
pattern: code-reuse, multi-channel capability and ease of maintenance.
In .NET web applications:
-
View/controller layers are built with ASP.NET pages
-
Model/business layer are built with .NET components and/or web
services.
In J2EE web applications:
-
View/controller layers are built with JSP pages and servlets
-
Model/business layer are built with beans/EJB (and in the next release
web services)
In MX applications:
-
View/controller layers are built with CFML pages and/or Flash
applications
-
Model/business layers are built with CFCs and/or beans/EJB and/or web
services
In many cases, CFML and CFCs are easier and more productive than JSP and
java beans.
JSP is a prehistoric language compared to the richness of CFML or
ASP.NET. And for many web applications, the complexity of java and
EJBs is not required, except for very high-end distributed and transactional
applications such as in financial institutions.
19. Content Management
A robust enterprise content management system (CMS) is able to collect,
manage and publish information to any format required. Such a system will be
required for all the text and image information flowing thru
Pipi.
It will include the following processes: administration and a workflow
system to control work done on editing and publishing
information.
And these three systems:
Collection
-
Creation by users (web forms, file uploads) or acquire information from
an existing source (WebCrawler, XML feed, database).
-
Conversion to master formats
-
Aggregation of information into system
-
Segmentation into components
- Add metadata
Management
-
Repository of database records and files to store content components and
administrative data
Publishing
-
Extract components from repository
-
Construct publications (websites, printable documents, faxes, CD-ROMS,
syndicated material for other organisations and e-mail newsletters) using
templates that integrate modular components, functionality, standard
surrounding information and navigation
Proper consistent collection of metadata or “data about data” will be key
to ensuring the content management system delivers useful information to
Pipi’s end users.
The Bush Telly Trust will administer the content management
system.
20. Maps
An integrated geographic information system (GIS) is able to edit, store
and distribute spatial data. Such a system will be required to manage all of
the spatial data flowing thru Pipi.
It consists of 4 key parts.
Desktop editing
-
Integrated suite of applications able to perform any GIS task, simple to
advanced including mapping, data management, geographic analysis, data
editing and geoprocessing
-
Desktop GIS is able to tap into spatial data and resources served over
the internet via map services and spatial databases
-
Using extensions, 3D visualisations and flybys can be generated for use
on videos and CD-ROM
-
Static map imagery can be created for use in print publications and web
site
Database management
-
Storage of information in a geographic database (geodatabase)
-
ESRI shape files, raster data (eg air photos) can be stored in a
relational database and then be integrated in with other Pipi
data
-
Raster images can be seamlessly tiled
Internet based publishing
-
Distribute data and services to a variety of clients
-
Presenting information spatially using maps in a variety of
formats
-
Points, lines and polygons can be collected from registered users at the
web site map interface and entered into the database
Print publishing
- Map books
-
Downloadable maps in PDF format
The Pipi teams will administer the GIS system.
21. Video & radio
A modern broadcast system is capable of collecting, editing and storing
audio and video content in digital format. Such a system will be required to
manage all of the audio and video content flowing thru Pipi. The Bush Telly
Trust will use this system:
Collection
-
Recording or copying
-
Digital and non digital
-
Field based and studio
Editing
-
Digital non-linear editing to DV Cam format
Storage
Broadcast
-
On-line web radio station broadcasting interviews and news
-
Later short video clips
Note: A separate planning document is being written by the Bush Telly
Trust, which goes into more detail about video, radio and print media
issues.
SECTION D: PRODUCTION SYSTEM HOSTING OPTIONS
There are five hosting options to cope with the growing complexity of Pipi
and its website www.bush.org.nz. At one end of the spectrum, NZERN could
continue with its existing arrangement of a shared hosting environment
provided by an ISP. At the other end of the spectrum, NZERN could host
Pipi on its own servers and pay for bandwidth. Each of these 5 options has
their advantages and disadvantages as outlined below. It is highly
probable that the hosting of Pipi will evolve over time as NZERN grows and
develops. The option that best suits NZERN’s needs today may not be
the one that suits our needs in a year or two.
22. Option 1: Hosting plan with ISP
Advantages
- Fixed hosting cost
-
Simplifies operations (somebody else’s worry)
Disadvantages
-
Poor integration potential of databases and formats – GIS, Broadcast
servers
-
Restrictive hard drive space due to cost
-
No changes possible to server environment including
applications.
23. Option 2: Use co-located leased servers
Advantages
-
Plenty of hard drive space for members websites
- Fixed costs
Disadvantages
-
Costs of ISP technicians doing maintenance
-
No changes can be made to server configuration – will void lease
agreement.
24. Option 3: Use co-located owned servers
Advantages
-
High control over operational environment
-
Plenty of hard drive space for members websites
Disadvantages
-
Costs of ISP technicians doing maintenance.
25. Option 4: Use NZERN in-house servers
Advantages
-
Makes maximum use of NZERN’s existing equipment
-
Volunteers can do all work at no cost
-
Total control over server operational environment
-
Easy integration of GIS, Broadcast, Content management
systems
-
Plenty of hard drive space for members websites
Disadvantages
-
Bandwidth charges are main expense
-
Something might go wrong with our equipment is the main risk
-
Responsible for everything 24x7x52
-
Volunteers have to sleep.
26. Option 5: Mixed environment
(Using mixture of NZERN in-house servers, ISP hosting and a co-located
owned server, virtual account for hosting of NZERN member
websites)
Advantages
-
Enables volunteers to gain experience of running a live
system
-
Bandwidth load on ISP hosted space with fixed cost
Disadvantages
-
Complexity by having everything spread out
-
High costs to provide web hosting for member groups
27. Cost benefit analysis of options
The following analysis weighs up the relative benefits of the five proposed
options for the total cost of ownership.
1 = poor benefit, 5 = excellent benefit
SECTION E: ACTION PLAN
28. Implementation
NZERN has a plan, funds, books, software, computer equipment, volunteers
with a passion for conservation, public support, and the window of
opportunity. All that’s required is time. A forced march will be required to
rapidly carry out this plan in the most efficient order. Excellent
information and organisation will be key.
We don’t want to disappoint the dreams of active conservation groups that
have backed NZERN from day one.
28.1 Option selected
Option 5 is recommended – a “mixed environment”. Option 4 comes out with
the maximum benefit to NZERN and conservation but it is the judgement of the
authors that it is not possible yet to implement this option. Funding
difficulties, training requirements of volunteers and the current need to
focus on completing the building of Pipi’s systems quickly make Option 5
more realistic. However the situation may change unexpectedly, making Option
4 an immediate possibility.
28.2 Fix the obvious first
There are some obvious things to change first:
-
Migrate to object orientated internal architecture for
www.bush.org.nz
-
Reduce pages of code from 2000 to 200
-
Reduce dependence on coding – shifting emphasis to
operations.
When those changes are made, we will then make an improvement in the
usability of the website. People need to see progress.
28.3 User driven
A sense of reality will be required. Big things that need to be done must
to be balanced against carrying out simple jobs that users
request.
Most of the underlying system changes required will make it easier in
future to rapidly meet the wishes of users. However these system changes
involve a lot of work. Running regular user feed back surveys and keeping
good user statistics will be important for keeping a finger on the
pulse.
28.4 Development best practice
-
Develop iteratively
-
Manage requirements
-
Use component architecture
- Model visually
-
Continuously verify quality
- Manage change
28.5 Action Steps
Building Pipi 4 in the first 12 months requires these steps:
1. Migrate existing members.bush.org.nz website from Cold Fusion Server 5.0
to Cold Fusion MX server. This is to take advantage of new features provided
by Macromedia including Flash remoting, which enables database driven
Flash.
2. Install a form engine that creates forms on the fly by way of a
configuration page. This will reduce many hundreds of page of hand written
code. The form engine will be a rebuild of the form engine in Pipi 2 that
worked well.
3. Redesign the password protected user area to make it easier to use. This
will include providing control to the individual user over the presentation
of this area and wizards
4. Separate format from content by stripping out the presentation layers
into a couple of standard templates that could produce HTML 4, XHTML 2.0,
WAP, XML web services, Flash pages etc for users to access how they
wish.
5. Provide web hosting for member groups, with access to shared databases,
GIS and other extras.
6. Strip out the queries from the cold fusion code. These are to be
recreated as reusable black box blocks of code in a data layer that accesses
the SQL Server.
7. Install full source control. This is to include a web-based form for all
cold fusion code that is uploaded on a nightly build using the existing Pipi
render engine, and the resulting templates sent by ftp to the production
website.
8. Restructure what’s left into a "black box" logic layer.
9. Migrate all GIS data to Arc SDE and integrate into Pipi's existing data
store.
10. Build the new multi browser formats.
11. Provide integrated services by recombining many of the existing Pipi
modules.
12. Provide a simple Internet mapping service that presents geographical
information in a familiar way to landowners and local groups.
13. Begin web casting of audio content.
14. Reorganise the volunteers working on Pipi around production
requirements. Building Pipi 5 in the second 12 months with these
features.
-
Pipi ‘thick client’ application
-
Distributed by CD-ROM and DVD to public
- Free
- Highly visual
-
Runs on the desktops of computers
-
Will run on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems
-
Designed to be occasionally connected to the Internet
-
Will require a valid current password to connect to Pipi
Server
Pipi 5 is proposed as an alternative method for users to connect to the
Pipi Server. Using well-known technology, a ‘Flash like’ program is
installed on the users own computer. Pipi 5 would connect via the Internet
to the Pipi server to send and get updates of data. The CD-ROM or DVD would
contain a lot of extra video and sound files as well as GIS mapping
information. This could be a way to get around the bandwidth roadblock. This
feature is not discussed further in this plan, and will need to be worked up
over the next 12 months by the Pipi Steering Committee.
29. Requirements
29.1 Data requirements
Government funded data that is currently difficult to access needs to be
obtained. There are also other data sets required. Examples of useful data
to obtain are:
- LENZ
-
Catchment shape files
- Geology
- DEMs
29.2 Applications
Source Control
-
Visual Source Safe Server set up on a server
-
Server to be accessible by remote clients over network.
Remote Access
-
Secure IP address to access server administration using terminal
services
-
FTP accounts to access document store
- Run applications.
29.3 Software
Additional software required.
Adobe
- Acrobat Distiller Server
- Acrobat 6.0 Professional
- PageMaker 7.0
Embarcadero
ESRI
- ArcINFO 9
- ArcPad 6
- ArcSDE 8.3 Server
- ArcIMS 9 (2 CPU)
-
ArcGis Extensions including Spatial Analyst Spatial Analyst CU
- 3D Analyst CU
- Tracking Analyst CU
- Survey Analyst CU
-
Geostatistical Analyst CU
Macromedia
-
Macromedia Cold Fusion Server MX
- Director MX
Microsoft
-
SQL 2000 Server Standard (1 processor license) Charity
or
-
IBM Informix Dynamic Server 9.30.TC1
Nullsoft
Sony
- Sonicfoundry
- Sound Forge 6.0
29.4 Hardware Platform
29.4.1 Development Environment
Servers 5 rack mounted servers in 48U rack. Intel processors. Twin drives,
redundant power supplies, hot swap SCSI drives.
-
Windows domain server
- Database server
-
Web/FTP/source control
-
File server or SANDS. Either option with plenty of big Raid 5 drives on
1000mb network and network capable backup device
- Mail server.
Network
-
10/100/1000 network switch
-
ADSL Router 250kb/s ADSL connection via Telecom/Xtra
-
KVM switch and monitor
- Firewall.
Power
- UPS
-
ADSL line surge protector
-
A standby generator will be required if option 4 is selected in
future.
Workstations
6 workstations. Running Windows 2000/XP professional.
- GIS desktop
-
Digital Video/audio editing
- Office admin
- Database admin
-
Isolated email/downloads only workstation
- Laptop
29.4.2 Production Environment
Option 5
Intel hot swap SCSI Raid Servers (1u)
Option 4
Intel hot swap SCSI Raid Servers housed in a second 48u rack. 2 web servers
sharing the same IP address would be preferable with a load-balancing
device. Single database Server.
29.5 Spatial
ArcIMS 9 coupled with ArcSDE to make available GIS spatial data over the
Internet.
29.6 Broadcast
Audio
MP3 broadcast to Winamp, RealAudio, Media Player, and QuickTime
players.
Video
Inclusion of video in Flash.
29.7 Hosting
NZERN will provide hosting accounts for its member organisations by
allowing its content management system to store their web pages. This
reduces web space but increases database storage. Many websites would
benefit from having database driven pages. Control panel administration will
be provided along with FTP access for account holders. ArcIMS provided GIS
information can be generated with help from Pipi’s Help Desk
staff.
29.8 Books and training
Purchasing of software books should be budgeted into every project. Other
resources can be found on CD-ROM and PDF. User help forums and Goggle are
essential sources of help. These books would be useful.
Adobe Press
-
Adobe Premiere 6.5 Classroom in a Book 0-321-15885-7
-
Adobe Photoshop 6.0 Web Design
-
Real World Adobe Photoshop 7
Bigelow
-
Troubleshooting, Maintaining and Repairing Networks
Computer Step
-
Windows 2000 Professional In Easy Steps 2nd Edition
ESRI Press
-
Salton Sea Atlas
-
Beyond Maps - GIS and Decision Making in Local
Government
-
ArcIMS Documentation
- ArcGIS Data Models
Macromedia Press
-
Documentation Set - ColdFusion MX
-
Reality Macromedia Cold Fusion MX: Flash MX Integration
-
Macromedia Cold Fusion MX: Intranets and Content Management
-
Macromedia MX Developer Resource Kit Vol 1
-
Macromedia MX Developer Resource Kit Vol 2
-
Macromedia Flash MX Creative Web Animation and Interactivity
0-3211-1785-9
Marron
-
Master Visually Dreamweaver MX and Flash MX 0-7645-3696-6
-
Teach Yourself Visually Adobe Photoshop 7 0-7645-3682-6
Microsoft Press
-
Microsoft Windows 2000 Administrator's Pocket Consultant. 2nd Ed
0-7356-1792-9
-
Microsoft Computer Dictionary 5th Ed 0-7356-1495-4
-
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit 1-57231-805-8
-
Stupid Web Tricks
-
Microsoft Internet Information Server Resource Kit
1-57231-638-1
-
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reference Library 0-7356-1280-3
-
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Administrators Companion
0-7356-1051-7
-
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Performance Tuning 0-7356-1270-6
New Riders
-
Fireworks MX Fundamentals
-
Dynamic Publishing with ColdFusion MX 0-7357-1312-X
Peachpit
-
Creating Web Video with Adobe Premier 6.5: Visual QuickStart
Guide
-
Photoshop 7: Visual Quickstart Guide
-
Pagemaker 7 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
0-2017-7584-0
Sams
-
Teach Yourself Extreme Programming
Wiley
-
ColdFusion MX Bible
-
Dreamweaver MX Complete Course 0-7645-3686-9
- Fireworks MX Bible
Wrox
-
SQL Server 2000 Programming 1-861004-48-6
29.9 Security
Disposal of paper records
Document shredder of all paper to preserve privacy and prevent accidental
release of confidential information including passwords.
Remote Access
Some of the volunteers working on the management and development of Pipi
live outside Christchurch and sometimes outside New Zealand. Others, even
though the live in or near Christchurch, wish to contribute without having
to leave their home or workplace. In these cases a remote access facility is
required. The Internet supports many protocols that allow for remote access,
but security is a matter of concern. To guard against eavesdropping on the
exchange of information and especially passwords, protocols that encrypt all
data passing over the Internet will be used. Specifically this will be done
by the provision of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) built on the Internet
Protocol Security (IPSec) suite of protocols.
Hosting
Should NZERN decide to host its www.bush.org.nz in-house, the firewall
hardware will be reconfigured to provide a third level of security. The
publicly accessible machines used to host the site and drive the databases
will be attached to a third firewall port called the Demilitarised Zone
(DMZ). This small network of servers is physically isolated from the Pipi
machines used for development and management so that if the security of the
servers is breached the hacker will still not be able to easily access the
private computers.
Fire
Ideally the machine room should be smoke alarmed, with the alarms able to
trigger a power shutdown. Cutting the power is frequently sufficient for
controlling an electrical fire that is detected before it becomes
established. Sprinkler systems are not advisable since they can be more
destructive to computer equipment than a fire.
Earthquakes
Computer racks are to be secured so that they cannot topple and crush staff
and equipment.
Financial Transactions
Industry standard secure server software (SSL) will be used for all
financial transactions. This encrypts personal information, including credit
card number, name and address.
29.10 Documentation
Expert Knowledge
It is essential that each volunteer working on Pipi record his or her
related knowledge so that someone else could relatively easily pick it up.
Ideally the volunteers should share their knowledge with each other on a
continuing basis. This not only helps with disaster recovery, but also makes
it easier to cope with temporary absences.
Code Documentation of the databases, network, processes and code is
required. Visio diagrams will be kept on a project directory. The
object-orientated structure of Cold Fusion part of Pipi will self document.
Tables will be kept on the server of all objects, their methods and
functions.
Documentation guidelines
Guidelines need to be developed or this will become a burden, and
developers will skip it unless easy to do/comply with.
29.11 Disaster recovery
Data and software backed up onto tape and/or DVD and/or CD-ROM and stored
at Landcare Research. A recovery plan shall be developed.
30. Timeline
Time lines using Gant charts will be used on the Project Central web site.
Project management plans need to be drawn up before work starts. A summary
needs to be publicly available at www.bush.org.nz/nzern/project/
31. Costs
31.1 Operational budget
Estimates range from $1000/month for option 5 to $2000/month for a full
implementation of option 4. Detailed budgets need to be drawn up and
reported against.
31.2 Capital budget
A lot of equipment and software is sought to implement this plan.
Sponsorship, fundraising and in-kind donations will be required.
31.3 Human resources
More complex system requires higher skilled volunteers than in past. Some
ways to deal with this include.
-
Attract interns’ and recent graduates seeking work experience
-
Provide for professional development including seminars
-
Offer places for Royal Society teacher fellowships.
31.4 Management structure
The Pipi Steering Committee will oversee the implantation of this plan and
report to the NZERN Management Committee. Responsible competent people need
to be put in charge of different areas of work. The teams formed will need
to be flexible as tasks change during the development phase. As the emphasis
shifts to production changes will need to be made resulting in a mature
structure for the long-term organisation of Pipi’s volunteers. As the
working relationship with DoC develops, at a certain point – having a DoC
nominee on the Pipi Steering Committee would be valuable.
31.5 Suppliers
NZERN purchases with invoices and has the following suppliers
- Big Byte
-
Dick Smith Electrical
- Digiweb
- Dymocks Wellington
- Eaglenet
- MagnumMac
- Mastertrade
- PC Anytime
- Redpaths
- Redworks
- Telecom
- The Laptop Company
APPENDIX
32. Appendix
32.1 Acknowledgements
Joseph Arand (DoC), Greg Jones (Landcare Research Ltd), Hewlett Packard
Development Centre staff, NZ Computer Society, Kaon Technologies, NZ
Broadcasting School, Market Truths. Thanks to the 80 people who participated
in Pipi workshops held June-August 2003 in Christchurch, Wellington,
Hamilton, Dunedin, Auckland. A special thank you to Frances Sullivan
(Environment Canterbury), Tony Charles (DoC Head Office), Marie Alpe (DoC
Auckland Conservancy), Jan Simmons (Doc Waikato Conservancy), and Nicola
McGrouther (Otago Regional Council) for hosting these workshops.
NZERN would like to especially thank the Terrestrial and Freshwater
Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme for financial assistance
towards the preparation of this development plan. The TFBIS Programme
is funded by the Government to help to achieve the goals of the New Zealand
Biodiversity Strategy, and is administered by the Department of
Conservation.
Edith Jones (Home Creek) for editing this document, Parker Jones and Dave
Evans for contributions on technical issues.
32.2 Schedules
Draft implantation schedules
X indicates work underway
32.3 Hosting charges
These are the draft hosting charges to NZERN members if they would like
their web sites/databases hosted by Pipi on the Internet.
Stage 1 (till NZERN has its own servers co-located or other
wise)
These charges are based on cost share and are what the ISP charges NZERN.
Domain name costs are additional. If NZERN’s content management system is
used to store web pages the effective size is not limited by the disk space
indicated.
Stage 2 (NZERN has its own servers co-located or other wise)
These costs are based on cost share and will drop to the levels indicated
depending on the number of accounts NZERN is able to set up. It will get
cheaper once the target of 100 websites hosted is reached because there is
some fixed overhead costs. Domain name costs are additional. If NZERN’s
content management system is used to store web pages the effective size is
not limited by the disk space indicated.
32.4 Glossary
Applications
Programs designed for and used by end users ie: Word Processing,
Spreadsheets.
Bandwidth
The amount of data which can be transmitted in a certain amount of
time.
Browser
A Browser is your interfaces to the World Wide Web. Examples of a browser
are Netscape, Opera and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Client
A client requests and receives information from a server. When you log onto
a server the word client can refer to you, to your computer, or to the
software running on your computer. When you access a web page from an
Internet server you are the client.
ColdFusion
Software used to create web pages that access information from
databases.
Database
A database is a collection of data. It can consist of text, graphics or
even sound.
Database software helps users to organize and retrieve such
information.
Firewall
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private
network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a
combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized
Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the
Internet.
Flash
Software which allows web pages to include animations and other special
features. Flash is a plug-in that can be freely downloaded and
installs as part of your browser.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol.
FTP is used on the Internet for exchanging files. It is most commonly used
to download or upload files from a server.
GIS
Geographic Information Systems.
GIS are tools used to gather, transfer, manipulate, analyse and produce
information related to the surface of the Earth. This data may exist as
maps, 3D virtual models, tables and/or lists.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language.
HTML is a collection of commands that create Web Pages. When you point your
Web browser to a URL, the browser interprets the HTML commands embedded in
the page and uses them to format the page's text and graphic
elements.
Intranet
A network based on the same protocols as an Internet belonging to an
organization, which is only accessible to the organizations members,
employees or others with authorization (ie user name and password). An
intranet's web site looks and acts like any other Web sites.
ISP
Internet Service Provider
ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet. For a fee the
service provider gives you a username, password that allows you to connect
to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and send and receive
e-mails.
Network
A group of two or more computer systems linked together.
OS
Operating system
An operating system manages the computer functions and provides an
interface for the users.
Eg: Windows 95, Linux, Mac OS, Unix.
Protocol
A protocol is an agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two
devices.
i.e.: a way of computers, printers etc communicating.
SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface.
Computer hard drives can be controlled by SCSI.
Server
A server is a computer that provides the information, files, Web pages, and
other services to the client that logs on to it. (The word server is also
used to describe the software and operating system designed to run server
hardware.)
Software
A set of instructions that a computer follows to complete a task. These
instructions are written in a computer language eg: ColdFusion, Visual
Basic, PHP, Perl.
Templates
A template can be the basis of a Web page layout. The information shown
depends on what web page is being displayed.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator, Universal Resource Locator.
URLs are the Internet equivalent of addresses. An example of a URL is:
http://www.bush.org.nz . This tells your browser where to look for the web
pages of NZERN.
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol
Allows users to access information instantly by handheld wireless devices
such as mobile phones, pagers etc.
XML
Extensible Markup Language
XML is a specification developed by the W3C (World Wide Web
Consortium).
It is designed especially for Web documents to allow easier transmission of
data between applications and organizations.
XML is not itself a markup language. Rather it's a metalanguage, a language
used to create other specialized languages.
Web Hosting
Web Hosting is where space, bandwidth and email accounts are provided to a
user on a web server allowing them run a website.
Wizard
A wizard is a step-by-step guide, which provides detailed procedures on how
to accomplish a task. i.e.: installing a new printer on your
computer.
32.5 References
-
MVCF Methodology – MVC pattern applied to CFMX By Benoit
Hediard
-
Advanced Macromedia ColdFusion MX Application Development by Ben Forta,
Macromedia Press. 2002.
-
Various articles about web content management by Gerry
McGovern
-
Content Management Bible by Bob Bako, Wiley Publishing. 2002.
-
Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Spatial Information Management
Strategy. June 2003
- DoC BIP documents
-
Landcare Research NIVS PDF Documents
- WWF-NZ website
- OSNZ website
- QEII website
- CDVN website
-
Designing with Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman, Indianapolis: New
Riders, 2003. www.zeldman.com
