Programmers Overview

During the meeting I hope to accomplish the following tasks:

1. discuss programming cycle as it applies to your Web sites
2. clarify the client needs and analyze how Web site programming can meet those needs
3. explore programs which could be used to help the client maintain the site
4. answer any question you may have about your role as Programmer
5. share contact information so that programmers can form an online support system to help each other during the class.
6. discuss the Internet needs assessment and net assessment documents.

These documents may prove useful to the programmer.
Programmer Responsibilities
Class Meeting Schedule
Programmers Sampler page
Examples of other programmers sampler pages
Technical brief template
Technology Brief example from the Theatre Arts site - produced by Dale Goetsch

Programmer Attend the client meeting. Make sure you leave with a clear idea of the purpose of the site. Where could programming fit into this site? Could you create some scripts that make it easier for the client to maintain the site? Where is the site going to be stored? Who is the system administrator for this site? (client may not know so you have to find out). If the client has no place to store the site, then stress that they must find an ISP which supports your code. If they don't seem real technically savvy just state that you need to be consulted when they choose an ISP. Most client will not want to be involved in the code you create. They will have definite ideas about what they want the code to do. They will also need to be involved in the testing process. Ask them to bring whatever documents might be useful to the content meeting, such as forms they want to place online, a database they will be working with, or a calendar.

Relax and enjoy the experience. This is a great group of people. The clients are grateful for your help, your teammates want to like you. Everyone is nervous and a bit confused - it will wear off in about 18 weeks. :->. When you attend the meeting dress in appropriate business attire (suit and tie is not necessary but maybe one step above student grunge). If the client seems really casual you can wear whatever you want to the subsequent meetings, but it never hurts to look professional the first time. Develop a plan for folks who are late to the client meeting.

Content for these teaching materials were developed by Linda Hemenway. If you have questions or comments on the material I can be contacted through
lhemenway@santarosa.edu
(707) 527-4855

Web site design by Jessica Hirsch - jessicahirsch@email.msn.com

Funding for these notes provided by Project FIVE and Project PICTS supervised by Doug Garrison - Dean of the Petaluma Center.