The Clash of Civilizations - Diplomacy Model

1) Why have a Web Site?
2) What about Navigation?
3) Why the emphasis on Frames?
4) What about Web Site Graphics?
5) How will the Web Site support the Clash Team?
6) Clash Team - What are your responsibilities as a Web Page Content Owner ?
7) Where do you make your comments?
8) Why is the Clash Logo at the bottom of the page?

1) Why have a Web Site?

There are three primary reasons for having this site. One, the Clash Development Team needs one-stop shopping to find out what's going on in the project. Two, we want to increase our visibility and thereby assist in the recruitment process (particularly coders and artists). Three, we want the gamers out there to know we're not just messing around. The intent of this site is to do all of the above.

2) What about Navigation?

Is there anything more annoying than being "Lost in the Web Site"? Either unable to find the one page you're looking for or clicking through 5 links in order to get there? We solve that through the use of the Web Site Index frame to the left, which gives you one-click access to every page on the site.

3) Why the emphasis on Frames?

We want everyone, from casual surfers to dedicated Clash Team members, to feel comfortable using this web site. But the primary design purpose is to make it easy for people to move around within the Clash World. You'll note I use the term "World" instead of "Web Site". It's NOT an accident. Although many important Clash events will be chronicled by and hosted within the Clash Web Site, it's not the only Clash thing happening out there. We have the Apolyton Forums, team member sites, and many related topics. Many of these exist elsewhere on the web. If you use the Web Index frame as it's intended, you can do ONE-CLICK hopping from place to another. For example, you might start with a Model description, move to a related thread on the Apolyton Clash forum, visit Mark Everson's site, examine the Java download page, and return to the Clash Home.

Having said that, there's clearly a number of folks who have no use for frames. So be it. Eventually the Clash Web Site will allow every visitor to choose between frames and non-frames. In fact, Dom is experimenting with a number of different "looks" for the Clash Site, one of which will become the "official" non-frames version. But first we have finalize the design and functionality of the main (frames) web site.

4) What about Web Site Graphics?

Can you say "Less-is-More"? Hand-in-hand with easy navigation is fast access time. To that end, we want to limit the number of "gratuitous graphics". Most of the pages will consist almost entirely of text with a single "theme" picture in the top right corner. Certain pages (such as graphics and screen shots) will necessarily have a lot more, but that's the exception rather than the rule. In this early version, you'll see the Parthenon graphic on most pages, but that's only because we haven't spent a lot of time searching the web for "theme" pics. If you can suggest some good theme pictures, we'd love to hear from you!

5) How will the Web Site support the Clash Team?

The plan is for the Clash Web site to mirror the organization of the Clash Team. That means EVERY page will have a content owner. For example, Hrafnkell is the owner of the "Government Model" page.
Whenever he makes an update to that model, he'll send it to the Web Editor (me) for editing (typos and grammar only...not substance!), and from there it will pass to Dom for upload to the web. Hrafnkell is the SOLE owner of that page, and fully responsible for ensuring it remains up-to-date. That will be true of every page and every owner. But let's say he'd like a new graphic added to the page (please!) Same process. What about adding a link to a new government discussion thread? Same. What if I want to add a link to a new book on government? I get Hrafnkell to approve it first. Or deny it. I have no vote. It's HIS page!

6) Clash Team - What are your responsibilities as a Web Page Content Owner?

As you can see, not every model is represented. And even the active ones may be missing key components. Responsibilities could be listed incorrectly. Links to the appropriate threads may be missing. If you have a Clash responsibility, you need to have a page! Tell us what's missing and we'll fix it. Find some good graphics that fit the theme of your model and send them in. We want and expect to hear from you! Also, if you have comments on any larger issues or feel that entire categories have been omitted, please share your thoughts.

7) Where do you make your comments?

For minor points, please email me directly. If it's a larger issue or simply something you want to share with the rest of the Clash Team, post it in the Clash of Civilizations thread titled, "Clash Web Site Discussion/Requests".

8) Why is the Clash Logo at the bottom of the page?

We moved the Logo to the bottom of the Index page because it looked odd having two "Clash of Civilizations" titles at the top of each page.

Well, that's all for now. Hope you like what we've done so far, and we look forward to hearing your comments.

Regards, Dom