Overview

Discussion is happening on ticket #157. Based on this site plan,  proposed wireframes have been created.

Key Goals for USSF Web Development:

1. Develop an effective web presence for the US Social Forum that utilizes concise and useful content, easy to use architecture, and engaging visual design that is consistent with the other branded USSF materials.
2. Develop online tools to support the work of the US Social Forum committees and working groups in organizing the forum specifically, and that help build powerful social movements in general.

General Structure:

The USSF web presence will be broken down into four distinct websites, with easy to use pathways between them. These websites are:

•  http://www.USSF2010.org (the main site for general USSF info and logistical information)
•  http://community.USSF2010.org (site focused on registration and donations - holds the database)
•  http://organize.USSF2010.org (social networking and organizing site)
•  http://wiki.USSF2010.org (internal organizing site)

Note:

The development of the USSF web presence will focus on the main informational site (www.USSF2010.org) in our initial phase. The remainder of this document will focus on developing the information architecture for that site alone. USSF2010.org

Information Architecture

User Profiles: Who we envision visiting the website and why…

1. General Public: Looking for general information about the forum.
2. Public: Looking for logistical information such as date, location, contacts, workshop info, schedule, registration, lodging, and travel info.
3. Public: Looking to propose workshops
4. Public: Looking to get involved in the organizing process (join working groups, volunteering…etc…)
5. Donors: Individuals looking for information about how to support the process.
6. Funders: Foundations looking for information about how to support the process.
7. Press/Media: Look for resources and contacts in order to cover the forum.
8. Activists: Looking for news related what is going on with the USSF.

Content Sections

Bullets under titles are sub-sections within the section.

1. USSF (link to  http://www.ussf2010.org)
2. About USSF2010
   1. What is the Social Forum?
   2. 2010 Social Forum Announcement
   3. Outreach Materials
   4. Press Releases
   5. Media Kit
   6. FAQ
3. Get Involved
   1. Register (link to community.ussf2010.org)
   2. Organize (link to organize.ussf2010.org)
   3. Learn about Detroit (portal to the logistics/tour pages on www.ussf2010.org)
   4. Join the Planning (portal to the planning site wiki.ussf2010.org)
   5. Peoples Movement Assembly (no target link yet... for now simple page on www.ussf2010.org/pma)
4. Location and Logistics
5. Donate
6. Contact Us
7. Other forums (link to page like  http://www.ussf2010.org/forums that describes world social forum, forum of americas, and other 2010 social forums happening around the world)

Front Page Elements

Elements present on the home page, in order of visual priority to inform wireframe placement. Items labelled "Common" will appear on all web sites. Other items will only be on the  http://www.ussf2010.org/ home page.

1. COMMON: Banner (with Name, Logo)
2. COMMON: Top Level Navigation (on all sites): mirrors content section above (including drop down or similar style display of secondary items)
3. COMMON: Search, (block - could be sidebar, but could also be side bar on inside pages, different location on home page)
4. COMMON: Register for the Forum (block - could be sidebar, but could also be side bar on inside pages, different location on home page)
5. COMMON: Donate to the Forum (block - could be sidebar, but could also be side bar on inside pages, different location on home page)
6. COMMON: Link to choose English/Espanol. May also include Arabic
7. Introductory Text (including date, location, and general framing)
8. Featured Content
9. Join Email List
10. News Feed
11. Upcoming Events
12. COMMON: Footer with contacts and privacy policy

Development Process

Work spearheaded by the ICT and Design Action Collective

1. Information Architecture and Development
   1. Sitemap and Page Elements
   2. Functionality List
   3. Wireframes for Home and Landing Pages
   4. Content Development (need to team up with Communications Workgroup)
2. Visual Design and Functionality Development (happening simultaneously) – need to identify decision-making process for design
   1. Home Page Visual Design
   2. Landing Page Template Visual Design
   3. Custom Page and Interface Design
   4. Drupal Backend and Functionality Development
   5. Drupal Theme Coding
3. Content Integration
   1. Create pages and migrate content into site structure
4. Testing
5. Launch