Alumni Association

Chapter Website Design Tools

This is a collection of tools for Virginia Tech Alumni Chapters to use in creating and maintaining webpages.

Web Hosting:

Virginia Tech provides free server space for Alumni Chapters with the address "www.chapters.alumni.vt.edu/[YourChapterName]" -- the advantages are clear:

  • no contracts and no fees -- no obligations if you decide to stop hosting with Virginia Tech
  • an easy to remember address
  • no pop-up or banner ads
  • technical assistance
  • secure WebDAV connection straight to your web host (lets you update your chapter's site as often as you like and see the changes online immediately) or if you use Vista it is easy as well (contact Vijay, Technical Services Manager for details or questions)

Connecting to Virginia Tech Hosting server
(for Windows XP)

Connecting to Virginia Tech Hosting server
(for Windows Vista)

Web Folder update from Microsoft for Vista system

Mac OS

We recommend that you the software Goliath to upload files to your Web site. Using Goliath is much like using your former FTP client, e.g., Fetch. You can drag&drop, delete files, and create and remove folders. For instructions, refer to Downloading and Configuring Goliath to Connect to the Web Hosting Service.

Unix and Linux

You can use the software cadaver to upload files to your Web site. Refer to Downloading and Configuring cadaver for Unix and Linux to Connect to the Web Hosting Service.

There are many commands for managing files and folders, including deleting files and folders, uploading and downloading test files, and printing working directories. For more information, see Commands for Managing Files and Folders in cadaver for Unix and Linux.

Templates...

Web page designs that you can download and use for a quick start on developing a professional-looking site.

Colors:

For complementary (websafe*) colors,
please see "Web Color Palette | University Relations | Virginia Tech"

Images:

A compilation of graphics for you to use on your website.

Resources:

Terminology:

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language - Used extensively on the World Wide Web to structure text and set up hyperlinks

CSS - Cascading Style Sheets - A mechanism for adding style (color, fonts, spacing, formatting) to web pages

Javascript - A scripting language for implementing forms and navigation enhancements.

HTML Tutorials and Resources:

Javascript Resources:

HTML Validation:

CSS Validation:

Virginia Tech Resources:

The Virginia Tech Style Guide - guidelines for the legal use of the university logo, seal, and HokieBird images at http://www.branding.unirel.vt.edu/university_style.php

Website Content

Chapter Website Basics?

  • Contact information for the webmaster in case Hokies find web errors and need to report them

  • Mission statement (example)

  • The date your website was last updated

  • A list of chapter events - Include a contact person for each event

  • A call for volunteers and information on how to get involved

  • Links to www.alumni.vt.edu and www.vt.edu

  • The VirginiaTechforlife brand message

Some other important links include: