Hi Folks,
This week we will follow up with more info about the folders in your county. Remember the
ftp rule? Only archived files in plain text format are stored in the archive_ftp part of
your directory structure. Some of them are manually uploaded and some are automatically
sent there by the automated feature. Now we will cover how the larger portion of the
workload is handled for each county.
~~~~~
../archive_html
Unlike the ftp folders, this part of the directory structure is used to manage the rest of
the files for the county KyArchive web site itself. There is one exception to this fact!
PHOTOS...
"The automated feature sends graphic files (picture or scanned image submittions) to
an appropriate folder in the html section of the county directory structure."
Note that a text file is still generated and sent to the ftp section as previously noted.
That file will include both URL addresses for the auto submission. Both URLs are added as
links in the archive table for that type of submission. A good example is a scanned death
or birth certificate for an individual. This specific type of file is determined by the
submittor using the automated feature for a county. Each county KyArchive web site should
include a link to the automated feature for use by the visitor. There are three resource
options available:
genrecords.org
genrecords.net
or
poppet.org
... any of these links are okay to use.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IMPORTANT: The administrators have been informed of problems with the *.org* option and
are currently working on ensuring files submitted through this option are being processed
effectively. Inquiries about files not being posted after being submitted should be
forwarded up the ladder for proper handling. County FMs are not expected to correct this
type of problem. It must be fixed by the administrators. The only way the FM can
identify the problem is when a file is not located at the respective URL inside the ftp
folders as noted in the KyArchive email notice. The respective file names will be the
same with an appropriate extension for the file type. (.txt or .jpg).
~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: Please remember that automated file submission URLs are not free lance locations.
The files should never be moved in the folders unless it becomes absolutely necessary.
When in doubt, ask your SFM or ASFM for assistance!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, let's cover the html aspect and the files you manage for your county archive web
site. The working pages are in addition to the main page that is linked to the state web
site. You have extra subfolders in your county folder that were created historically by
previous FMs. Some of these extra subfolders were once used as the storage location for
ftp files that were manually submitted to the archival file manager for the respective
county before the USGWARCH Project administrators revamped the entire structure. That
renovation involved a nightmare of trying to ensure the URLs for all archived files were
not disturbed. Hence, the confusion that new FMs are faced with today.
The archive_html directory folder contains a folder for each county. No uploads are
allowed to this directory folder. Select your county folder before uploading any work
completed for your county. The following outline will help explain this upper structure
maintenance responsibility:
/ kygwarch ---> USGWArch Project admin
/ archive_html ---> State File Manager
/ county ---> County File Manager
/ website.html ---> work in progress
You must be inside your county folder to manage any files you work with. You could have
subfolders that are also available for maintenance and upkeep. You may also see
additional web page files for the county to help manage the web site for your county,
which could be in the subfolders also. Keeping tract of all the files and web pages is
easy relative to the file name that may provide a description of the file itself. Such as
*cemeteries.html* would be a web page with a cemetery table list linking files in the ftp
folders where transcriptions are stored. Please note that the county folder could include
a subfolder named */cemeteries/* where you might also find the transcription text files
for a cemetery. The following examples are common and will help explain this confusion:
Ex1=
/ archive_ftp
/ county
/ cemeteries
/ transcription1.txt
*** this file could have been submitted via the auto feature or by the County FM
Ex2=
/ archive_html
/ county
/ cemeteries
/ transcription2.txt
*** this file would have been submitted by the FM manually
NOTE: It is even possible that both examples are the same file by two different
contributors. Ex2 from previous years and Ex1 by a recent submittor. The URL links in
the archive table index for county cemeteries should include both locations and files
because there may be a revision or addition to the original transcription.
The web site...
The html file for your county archive web page should always be in your county folder.
This will afford everyone with a standard URL location for each county.
Examples:
/~usgenweb/ky/adair/adair.html
/~usgenweb/ky/bullitt/toc.html
/~usgenweb/ky/caldwell/caldwell.html
/~usgenweb/ky/graves/toc.html
/~usgenweb/ky/pulaski/
You can see only the county folder changes with the respective web page file name when
accessing the KyArchive web sites. Naming of the web page file is up to the FM but should
follow conventional practices. TOC = "table of contents" and was the standard
file name used by most FMs in earlier years. Using *index.html* or *default.html* as a
web page name will allow any Internet browser to find the web page and the page name can
be omitted from the URL for brevity. Pulaski County is an example of this rule.
Supporting graphics or page details for your county web page can be found in the same
folder or may be in a subfolder. Either way, such links must be included in the web page
html script without any error. Off-site links on a web page must be fully URL scripted
because they are not on the same server, hence the *off-site* terminology.
The web page...
Web page authoring can be done with a Text Editor or a HTML Editor. HTML editors are
preferred as they provide easier inclusion of proper syntax and control of web page
display. Using text editors means you need to be proficient in html code and script rules
relative to tag attribute usage. A good reference for anyone begins at
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/#previous. The most common version in use today is the HTML 4.1
standard. The trend is leaning heavily toward XHTML 1.0 in conjunction with CSS
(cascading style sheets). The important factor still remains the ability of your script
to reach the widest dissemmination and audience to view your web site when it is
published. Basically, *the simpler, the better* is the main consideration when authoring
web pages.
There are several ways to publish your web page today, but you should use the method that
you are familiar with and can handle easily to reduce problamatic concerns. All problems
with html coding are created by the author without exception. If you can not pinpoint the
problem, it is a good idea to seek assistance with someone that uses the same software or
concept. History proves that someone has already run into the same glitch and found a
good resolve.
After editing comes the task at hand. Upload your work to the respective folders and
check the results using your browser. If it looks okay to you, then chances are your
done. Bear in mind there are several versions of browsers out there and someone may have
a comment about your web page design or layout. Not a time to panic, but a review may be
in order. Criticism is a useful tool. Use it wisely any time you hear negative results
while managing your web pages.
UPDATE for all FMs:
Recent inquiry about web page design and layout by Lorrie Laskey, Floyd FM, has opened
Pandora's Box. The recommended standard format for KyArchive Web Pages is hereby
lifted and recinded to show that all KY FMs now have the option to use their own
creativity in managing their web pages. Use your best judgment and continue to follow the
guidelines set forth by the project overall. REF: USGenWeb Archives Project Guidelines,
pages 1 & 2.
Next week we will continue more on this Topic #2. Have a great week.
Thomas Hembrey
SFM, KYGWARCH