[Koha-devel] Website Homepage
Thomas D
koha at alinto.com
Tue Aug 2 22:41:29 CEST 2005
1. PROBLEM
What were the winks for exactly? The salient difference that I see is ,
aside from the derivation of koha, is that Joshua has substituted "software
providers and library and technology staff" for "volunteers" in the
original. Is 'volunteers' the concept at which the library professionals
were winking?
I would suggest that the colour scheme, graphics, and other elements of
appearance are as likely to contribute to contribute to the 'homebrew'
impression as the actual text. There is an aspect of the graphics adjacent
to the Koha logo images that does seem a little out of place for a
significant application intended to reliably run the most vital operations
of a library. The way that the "download koha" balloon is presented on the
home page is one example. The way the logo image at the bottom with the
background colouration and hard outline edges appears disjointed from the
page at the bottom of the home page is another example. I would not expect
the graphical presentation to be adjusted until it is presented as part of a
coherent new website design.
People's expectation of web page appearance has been corrupted by the glut
of poorly designed corporate websites and their imitators. High bandwidth
consumption as an advertisement for shareholders at the expense of
functionality and usability is a distinguishing characteristic of far to may
corporate websites. Thankfully, that problem does not plague any Koha
related website.
I have noticed a form of possible redundancy in the original. Although,
perhaps it is clarifying redundancy. When is an OPAC not a catalogue?
2. REVISED TEXT
I would suggest the following amendment of of your proposed text with the
consideration that Chris had suggested for HLT. My suggestion tries to
provide a minor feature summary and compelling motivation for adopting Koha.
The importance of development options in addition to installation and
support is emphasised.
There would certainly be better ways to convey this information in a new
website design. This is my brief attempt at the current one.
2.1. BODY
<h1><span class="heading">Koha </span> (Maori for 'Gift') is the first
open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).</h1>
<p>
Developed initially in New Zealand by Horowhenua Library Trust and Katipo
Communications Ltd. and first deployed in January 2000. It is
currently maintained and continuously developed by a team of software
providers and library technology staff from around the globe. Koha
offers a full-featured ILS including integrated acquisitions, cataloguing,
online public access catalogue (OPAC), circulation, and administration
modules. Koha is multilingual and uses MARC 21, UNIMARC, or non-MARC
records. It contains integrated Z39.50 client and server services.
It supports the latest advances in patron accessiblity and self
checkout circulation. It is fully customisable from template options
down to every line of open source code. New features are being added
constantly. Control the power and freedom of Koha and open source
software yourself at your library. Do not be dependent on one vendor.
Available for free download and free use at your library. Many
installation, support, and feature development options are available from
providers locally and internationally.
</p>
<h1>that's right ... it's free</h1>
<p>
Koha is released under the <a
href="http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html">GNU General Public License</a>
and is available to <a href="/download/">download</a>.
</p>
<p>
If you would like a quote for <a
href="/installation/support.html">installation and support, or additional
feature development</a>; there are providers available throughout the world.
</p>
While there are modest overlaps at the end of my suggested first paragraph
with the preexisting second paragraph, the emphasis is different. I do not
believe that it is redundant.
Check the existing tags. The current paragraph tags do not have valid
opening and closing tags which is not a significant problem for browsers.
My valid tags may not provide properly rendered spacing.
I would also suggest removing the possible implication that Koha may be
difficult to install from the final paragraph. It might be depending on the
installer and the system but the installation script works quite well aside
from some minor glitches and the installation process is well documented.
<p>
We've put up a <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/koha/">Koha store</a>, so
that even if your library is not ready for Koha yet, you can still wear it
proudly.
</p>
2.2. SPELLING AND USAGE CONVENTIONS
Whether international (British) English or American English spelling and
usage is used, I have no definite preference. The IFLA uses and
international English as do many international bodies including the UN in
New York. I presume that people at Katipo and Horowhenua Library Trust use
New Zealand English spelling and usage.
My own preference, as a US national, in my own use is for international
English where that seems generally appropriate and American English where
that seems appropriate following Fowler's example. Sidewalk is a more
sensible contemporary term than pavement when most roads in well developed
countries have been paved. American English spelling and usage dominates
widely exchanged computer applications and the internet. I use program for
computer applications but programme for events. I also follow the sensible
practise of using spelling that is the same in a maximum number of dialects,
when appropriate. I use dramatic arts instead of theatre or theater, when
appropriate.
American English spelling and usage have increasingly tended to dominate
library science. The initiative and greater financial resources of the
Library of Congress have brought the world's largest library, MARC, and
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). DDC, like Library of Congress
Classification, is also US based. Many other examples could be given of
American English dominance in library science. UDC uses international
English but is less detailed and less well updated than DDC. Other English
language subject thesauri competing with LCSH and based on more carefully
considered designs have fallen out of use and been replaced by LCSH; because
of the high cost of maintaining competing thesauri and disadvantage from the
greater difficulty of international cooperative record exchange and use with
multiple thesauri. While international English spellings are included in
LCSH authority records as references, the American English form is the
authorised form. American English has become the dominant English dialect
for the exchange and interoperation of library records in English and the
point to which major non-English systems have been paired.
2.3. HEADER
Whatever spelling and dialect choice is taken alternate spelling and
language forms for important terms should be include at least in the
keywords meta tag.
<meta name="keywords" content="Koha, ILS, acquisitions, cataloging,
cataloguing, online public access catalog, on-line public access catalog,
online public access catalogue, on-line public access catalogue,
circulation, administration, MARC 21, UNIMARC, Z39.50, open source, GNU,
customisable, customizable, templates">
I will leave it for others to suggest what would be appropriate keywords for
other languages than for me to use mistaken forms outside my native language.
Thomas D
Quoting Joshua Ferraro <jmf at liblime.com> :
> ---------------- Beginning of the original message ------------------
>
> Hi all,
>
> I propose that we immediately replace the first paragraph on
> the
> Koha homepage. I've gotten several winks from library
> professionals
> that the current language makes Koha sound like a homebrew
> project
> rather than an enterprise-level ILS.
>
> Here's what I propose:
>
> Koha (Maori for "Gift") is the first open-source Integrated
> Library
> System (ILS). Developed initially in New Zealand by Katipo
> Communications
> Ltd. and first deployed in January of 2000, it is currently
> maintained
> by a team of software providers and library technology staff
> from around
> the globe. Koha offers a full-featured ILS including a
> catalog, OPAC,
> circulation, cataloging and administration components.
>
> etc ...
>
> How does that sound?
>
> --
> Joshua Ferraro VENDOR SERVICES FOR OPEN-SOURCE
> SOFTWARE
> President, Technology migration, training, maintenance,
> support
> LibLime Featuring Koha
> Open-Source ILS
> jmf at liblime.com |Full Demos at http://liblime.com/koha
> |1(888)KohaILS
>
>
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> ------------------- End of the original message ---------------------
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