DLP Specs

dlp-design spec
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(last mod: sep03/05 TL)

PURPOSE
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This document outlines the current state of design decisions which inform the development the project.

CONTENT
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- high level types of content
- data for each type stored in one database table
- subject type based on topicmap model
- project, module & resource types based on learning object model

subject:
- a single  thing or idea (as in a dictionary or encyclopedia)
- associated to at least one other subject via specific association types (eg: is-example)
- includes a description/definition
- can have associations with projects, modules & resources

resource:
- a reference to a single piece of media content
- associated with at least one subject by contributor (in order to be findable)
- includes standard metadata: title, creator, type, date, byline
- either use contributor's description or make custom when linking to project, module
- from a set of acceptable media formats (open standard/cross platform only):
-- text/pdf/jpg/png/qt (uploaded file)
-- text/pdf/jpg/png/qt (url link)
-- url reference (text in database)
-- bibliographic reference (text in database)

project:
- aggregated content for one research initiative (eg: course)
- includes title, authors, description and content
- includes ordered list of links to associated modules, resources, subjects
- subjects appearing in description are auto-linked to subject page
- descriptions can include embedded graphic resources

module:
- aggregated content about one specific area of interest (eg: lesson)
- always part of one or more projects
- includes title, authors, description and content
- either use contributor's description or make custom when linking to project, module
- includes ordered list of links to associated resources, subjects
- subjects appearing in description are auto-linked to subject page
- descriptions can include embedded graphic resources

USERS
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administrator
- access to all content
- create/modify users
- delete content

contributor
- create/modify any content
- associate other contributors with owned project (they control project)
- existing contributors can invite new contributors
-- they login and go to profile page where they fill in missing data before account activated

registered user
- view all content
- can collect 'my bookmarks' type links

public
- view all content

COMMON NAVIGATION ELEMENTS
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- navigation tools which are not embedded in content
- should all be contained in same area of layout
- all are not present on every page
- navigation must be accessible within a 640 pixel wide window

search:
= (pulldown[hyperlinks on home]: project,module,resource,subject) + (pulldown: title,description,title+description,show all) + (text input: search terms) + (submit: search)

info:
= (pulldown: about,motivation,scenarios,team,glossary,timeline, support,weblog,links,contact) + (submit: go)

login:
= (text input: email) + (text input: password) + (submit: login)

home:
= (button: project logo)

SITE PAGE STRUCTURE
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- types of pages & other pages which are linked from them

home (site intro & central navigation starting point):
-> found projects, modules, resources, or subjects (via search)
-> info (via hyperlinks)
-> manage (via login)

info (static background description pages):
-> home (via site icon)
-> other info (via pulldown)

found (listed result of search for one type of site content):
-> home (via site icon)
-> found projects, modules, resources, or subjects (via search)
-> view (via linked titles in found list)

view (content for a single element; one project, module, resource or subject):
-> home (via site icon)
-> associated content: modules, resources & subjects (via linked titles in lists)

manage (to add, modify and delete site content):
-> profile: modify
-> project    -> create
        -> modify
        -> associate: modules, resources, subjects
        -> delete
-> module -> create
        -> modify
        -> associate: resources, subjects
        -> delete
-> resource -> create
        -> modify
        -> associate: subjects
        -> delete
-> subject -> create
        -> modify
        -> associate: subjects
        -> delete

PAGE LAYOUT & DESIGN
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- simple, understated visual design
- color backgrounds only
- low use of images: only site logo
- design characteristics defined in css
- standard navigation elements grouped together in layout
- background colors can be customized for projects
- consistent layout throughout: same element always in same place

PAGE CONTENT ELEMENTS
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site logo:
- on every page in same location
- easy to see but not overwhelming

page type:
- the kind of page: found, view, info, etc

page title:
- title of actual content of page: name of course, module, resource, or subject
- dynamically generated text

navigation:
- combination of: search, goto or login depending on page

content:
- may contain heading(embedded) & paragraph tags(auto generated)
- contains different content fields depending on page: author, byline, description, content

list:
- zero or more different ones, depending on page
- contains list of titles (linked) & bylines for: projects, modules, resources, or subjects (title only)

copyright:
- at bottom (in footer)
- keep subtle: in small print & low contrast