Site Structure

The site follows a simple hierarchical structure. Just like the hard drive on  your computer, it is organized as a series of folders and documents (web pages, word documents, image files). On the top level of this site is the home page (index.html) and the top level of folders (About CPS, Admissions, Program, Support CPS, Inside CPS, Alumni, and Special Events.) Each of those folders contains documents and folders. A quick look at the site map will give you a sense of the whereabouts of the website's contents.

The site also follows a few presentational conventions. Every page will have a header image and top level navigation on the top of the page. This area contains a search box and something called “breadcrumbs” which inform the user as to where she is in the site. On the left side of the page is the sectional navigation bar. Below that is a calendar. On the right side of the page is one of two elements. One is the department contact page. These are set to appear on the first page of every section for which there is a corresponding faculty or staff department. The other is a section called the “Showcase.” The behavior of the showcase is described later in this document. On the bottom of every page is the footer, which contains the school’s address and phone numbers. Click here for a movie tour of the site's nomenclature.

The above elements are controlled centrally. You don’t have to do anything to make them appear. But the middle of the page is yours. Here’s where you come in. You can add to that section any of a number of content types.