FAQs

• Can our site have a special URL?
• How do I get started with the template?
• Can I change the colors?
• How many links can I put on the horizontal navigation bar?
• I have lots of links to outside websites that I'd like to feature prominently. Where can I put them?
• Can I widen the columns?
• Can I put pictures in the empty space on the right?
• I'd like to design a collage for the image banner.
• Can I change the links on the YSM band at the top?
• I don't want the band at the top to say "Yale School of Medicine." I want it to say "Yale University."
• I like those orange icons on the left that say "Calendar" and "Library" and so on. Can I make up a few of my own?
• I don't need all those icons in the list. Do I have to use them all?
• I have a logo I developed for this website. Where should I put it?
• Will this template work with my database, calendar, content management system, or other dynamic content?
• Will this template work with my web editor, such as Dreamweaver, Microsoft Frontpage, or Adobe GoLive?
• I have an issue I haven't seen covered here. Whom should I contact?

 

Can our site have a URL other than http://info.med.yale.edu/entity_name?

Yes, you can have a vanity URL that points to the info.med.yale.edu address. We recommend using the naming convention organization.med.yale.edu or entity.yale.edu. To request a vanity URL, complete the form at http://info.med.yale.edu/itsforms/web/virtualhost.html. All requests are approved through YSM-IPC. If you would like to discuss your organization's URL, please contact us.

How do I get started with the template? Can I just download it?

You should contact ITS Web Services or the Office of Institutional Planning & Communications. The template has to be prepared for your website and then passed off to you. Read more here...

Once I have access to the template, can I change the colors?

No. The colors have been specifically chosen to work in concert with each other and photographic images in the banner. The orange is the exact complement to the Yale blue and was chosen with the yellow to warm up the page and work well with flesh tones in photographs. In addition, changing colors will dilute the YSM brand, confusing the user. Branding, and that includes colors, has to be consistent: you've never seen a blue and yellow Dunkin' Donuts sign or purple and green UPS truck.

How many links can I put on the horizontal navigation bar?

It depends on the name of your links. This list of links in the orange bar should not wrap around to a second line. These links will remain on every single page of your site, and therefore should be to the most important and most general information you have to offer. So, select "Programs" as a link, rather than "ABC Program" and "XYZ Program." Then, when a user clicks on the "Programs" link, a list of available programs shows up in the left-hand navigation. Read more here...

I have lots of links to outside websites that I'd like to feature prominently. Where can I put them?

Putting links to outside websites on the main horizontal navigation or left-column navigation will confuse your user, who is expecting main links to be within your own site. We recommend placing outside links on a "Related links" page, or describing what they are within text.

Can I widen the columns?

No. The width of the main text column was specifically selected because it is about the width a reader is capable of following before the eye has to move to the next line. The column size was chosen by the University Printer's office, who have experience with and knowledge about page width, text layout, and usage.

Can I put pictures in the empty space on the right?

No. The width of the page is set to approximate a printed page, which has been chosen for the ease of your user. The page width was chosen by the University Printer's office, who have experience with and knowledge about page width, text layout, and usage.

I'd like to design a collage for the image banner.

The image banner is to be filled with just one or part of one photograph. The crop of the photo helps define the brand. The Office of Institutional Planning & Communications recommends that you work with us at least initially to fill this spot. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find the odd shape makes for spectacular images. In addition, the image can change when your user visits the site, creating variety and showing the different kinds of work your organization accomplishes. Read more here...

Can I change the links on the YSM band at the top? I don't need a link to patient care.

The links in the "YSM topper" have been chosen because they are the three missions of the School (Education, Research, and Patient Care), along with the most commonly used links on the YSM website. Read more here...

I don't want the band at the top to say "Yale School of Medicine." I want it to say "Yale University."

This template belongs to the School of Medicine, and therefore, the band at the top should say "Yale School of Medicine." If you feel you should not be using this banner, please contact the Office of Institutional Planning & Communications so we can determine how to help you.

I like those orange icons on the left that say "Calendar" and "Library" and so on. Can I make up a few of my own?

No; these are the only toolbox items available. They are meant to be exactly the same on every site and every page so that your user always knows where that content is located. Read more here...

I don't need all those icons in the list. Do I have to use them all?

Some items in the toolbox are optional. The only ones you need to keep are "Search this site," "Contact Us," "Yale phonebook," and "YSM home." The others you choose to keep or delete, and you also choose to link them to your specific site information or generic YSM information. Read more here...

I have a logo I developed for this website. Where should I put it?

Logos can be placed within the main text column or the right-hand text column. The footer, left column, and header areas are all pre-defined and should not include any additional images; only the text should be altered. In addition, the School of Medicine shield should not be used in any logo design. For questions about shield design, please contact the Office of the University Printer.

Will this template work with my database, calendar, content management system, or other dynamic content?

Yes, this template should work just fine with any dynamic content you maintain. ITS-Web Design & Publishing can explain in more detail and help you get started.

Will this template work with my web editor, such as Dreamweaver, Microsoft Frontpage, or Adobe GoLive?

The template was created most specifically to work with Contribute, a basic web editor software, of which you'll receive five free licenses when you sign up for the template. However, it should work well in Dreamweaver as well. It has not been tested in Frontpage, GoLive, or other software.

I have an issue I haven't seen covered here. Whom should I contact?

Please contact either ITS-Web Services or the Office of Institutional Planning & Communications.