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Welcome to Special Projects

 

The Special Projects Division is charged with providing assistance with the creation and development of new information technology resources with an emphasis on project request from beyond the IT Department.

 

Projects assistance: We seek to create useful tools with effective, user friendly interfaces. Our skill-set includes:

 

Needs assessment

Architecture

Development on the Auxiliary's open standards platform (HTML, PHP, MySQL, etc.)

Integration with existing resources (eDirectory, eDirectory SOAP membership verification)

Page design and templating

Graphic design including web imagery and logos

Project planning and management

 

General assistance: We are also charged with helping National Departments and others interface with and utilize Auxiliary eServices provide by the IT Department.

 

Some Current Projects

Also see the list of sample projects

  • A new Join the Auxiliary website utilizing Flash
  • Asses current video streaming capabilities and alternatives to provide audio and video content to members and the boating public to further the Auxiliary missions.  Examples include: NTRAIN and other conference sessions, training video, video news releases.
  • Develop an Auxiliarists Guide to Computing

    Objective: Develop basic guidance in a friendly, conversational tone to assist members in determining what computing resources are useful for participation in the Auxiliary.

     

    Approach: The project will use a step 1-2-3 approach to recommending resources based on the member's level of interest.

    • Step 1: Browsing, email, and use of PDF forms (print and fill, not electronic distribution)
    • Step 2: PDF forms (electronic distribution) and office suites (word processing/spreadsheets/presentation software)
    • Step 3: Specialist applications (databases, web design, PDF form generation, graphics programs, etc.)

     

    Computing resource recommendations will cover both commercial and open source software options for PC and MAC with side information on LINUX.

     

    The guidance will be short and friendly to minimize intimidation. Computing will be described as a means to an end rather than an end in itself.

     

    Audiences:

    Computer literate Auxiliarists wishing to determine what they need.

    Auxiliarsts new to computing or those at Step 1 wishing to move further in their application of computing to their Auxiliary activities.

  • Webmaster's guide to PHP email forms for use on Auxiliary servers (for eventual publication in the CS guide)
  • Assist (as required) with guides to management and statistics for cPanel, the Auxiliary's website management portal.
  • Develop a guide to setting up and using mailing lists on the National Server
  • PHP/MySQL database project for online PA watch-standing scheduling