(a) edit them into an existing file
or (b) create a new file and link it.
Then I insert the 'change record' into the 'configuration file'.
The web-master and myself are also responsible for browsing
and selecting items from webs of others, especially if such items
fall into in our own coverage of subject material!
One set of major items that I always concentrate on are the extensions to
the travelogues going back over many years. There are copious notes
from all (or nearly all) trips throughout my history, and the electronic
Configuration Record gives references to these in the FUTURE's
columns.
Each new or amended file is given that day's date, which is
displayed (normally near the top) on that file - and, very
importantly, was inserted (until Edition 87) into my previous Hard Copy Book entitled "Web-
Configuration Record". [From 19 April 00, I transferred
this HARD COPY to an 'electronic copy' with all its desirable
benefits! There are naturally potential disadvantages - so I ran
the two in parallel for a few months (until 26 August 00) - as a trial! The HardCopy
'Configuration Record' is now finished.
Adequate backup facilities for the 'electronic version' have
been established and tested].
That record contains each file's index
number, also its name, the number of the file that refers to it
and the date of the latest update. The Electronic Record is on a Spreadsheet
which contains a 'row' for each file and a column for each Edition Number of
this Web. Furthermore, 'future edition columns' also contain plans for edits
which may extend up to three editions ahead! These are the references used
for updating the travelogues. In addition to these sporadic contributions, I
also 'poll' (completely scour!) the entire spreadsheet/database between each
installation to detect any files which need attention.
On average, each new edition
of the web-site sees, normally, between three dozen and five dozen editted or new
files.
What I ACTUALLY do is to write a BIT (probably no more than a paragraph or
two) on each TRAVELOGUE before moving on to write a few sentences on another
one! This continues throughout my frequent (daily) 'polling'.
When each file in that 'record' has a new date, or an
'unchanged' tag to it, it is almost ready for me to submit to my
Web Master. Before doing that, however, I measure the total size
of the web-site, count the altered files, and insert that
information onto the 'home page'.
The WebMaster's installation is 'dated' on the 'home page'
and this completes the CYCLE!
The time for a cycle varies. It depends on my availability,
and the amount of material to insert. The statistics of the
'editions' and their cycle-times are given in the web - statistics.
The staff contributing to the contents of this website are
given in the staff list .
During my re-organising of the methods to the new Pentium
and all of its exciting new facilities, a deviation from this procedure was used
for a couple of editions. The hiccup is now well over - and the above procedure
is even easier to implement, thanks, largely to the WS FTP facility.
During further changes between Editions 134 and 135, I introduced changes to:
(a) reduce the growth-rate in size of the electronic record, and
(b) reduce the turn-around time between editions and sub-editions.
.