|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCD's electronic news and feature magazine, the SCDzine, was completely redesigned this year, giving it a fresh look and an improved user interface. The effort was recognized by the Society for Technical Communication; the 'zine garnered a regional "Award of Excellence" and an international "Award of Merit" from the Society.
DIG assisted in editing several important technical reports, papers, and strategic plans for division authors. Among them:
These efforts, combined with other writing and editing assignments over the course of the year, help keep SCD's documents clear, concise, and readable.
DIG continues to provide support for NCAR Graphics and the new DataVision product via the design and production of promotional materials, web content, and editing of the user documentation.
Working with other SCD sections and groups is part and parcel of DIG's mission. Accordingly, DIG helped develop web-based materials for several sections (OIS, HPS, and NETS) over the course of the year. These intradivisional efforts not only demonstrate the utility and power of the web, but provide a more robust and complete information resource for our user community. DIG will continue to pursue these intradivisional activities, as appropriate, to ensure that all divisional information relevant to our user's computing experience at NCAR will be easy to access and understand.
A new SCD and NCAR home page were developed and deployed during this time period. This is consistent with current website philosophies that dictate a change in the appearance of a website every six to eight months.
A related, major improvement to our website development actitivies was the installation of a search engine for the entire site (SCD and NCAR). Investigation of a statistics-generating engine was also undertaken during the reporting period.
DIG staff also worked with UCAR and NCAR management to provide materials and spokespersons to work with congressional officers and staffers at several meetings in Washington, D.C. These activities have been helpful in improving their understanding of NCAR/SCD and the role of high-performance computing in solution of world climate and climate change issues.
DIG staff launched an ambitious teaching program as part of the UCAR-wide staff development effort. DIG staff taught courses in beginning, intermediate, and advanced HTML, how to design effective websites, and how to create and manage an electronic magazine. All of the classes were very well attended by UCAR and NCAR staff.
DIG staff continued their annual involvement with the SOARS program, serving as technical editing and writing mentors for two SOARS participants this year.
DIG inaugurated a new seminar series covering topics broadly related to "The Impact of the Internet on the World." Dr. William Moninger from NOAA gave the first presentation entitled "The Internet and the Relaxation of Structure." DIG plans to continue this important outreach series of seminars on at least a quarterly basis.
|
|
|
|
|
|