The Public Contributions Project

Avenir Web is growing faster than ever. New sections open up, and older ones are added to everyday. Until now, the project that is Avenir Web has been run by one person, and lately, due to the overwhelming workload of keeping up the entire site, updates and such have been falling behind.

To keep up with the changes, I've put together a plan for keeping Avenir Web growing and changing: The Public Contributions Project. Signup here.

The idea is simple: users that have a working knowledge of HTML and webpage design can apply for an account on Avenir Web, and create pages that will eventually be displayed. This makes the project into a help site "of the user, for the user, and by the user." Things can be updated dynamically, quickly, and as needed, rather than as one Webmaster has free time to do so.

Projects ready for consumption by the public:

• Got an idea? Why not try it out? Tutorials, explanations, 'help files,' etc. Know a lot about something-- a specific software package, a piece of hardware, etc.? Just about anything works.
• Computer builder: Continue adding to the script (knowledge of Javascript helpful), keeping prices up-to-date, and working on bugs with major browsers.
• The Windows Realm - Tech Support database: Adding to the database on a daily or weekly basis, working with the javascript search engine, possibly implementing a cgi-based engine to increase efficiency.
• The Windows Realm - Products section: Adding to the Products section, control of additions from the public.
• The Linux Realm: Adding new content on configuration/installation of Linux on multiple distributions. Experience with Linux necessary.
• MP3: One of the larger projects - In charge of setting up pretty much the entire project, including technical and graphical content. Looking to keep the site updated on MP3 news. Working knowledge of the MP3 technology a plus.
• Articles: Know everything about something? Feel like writing a brief (4-6 pages) article about it?
• News section: This one's open to anyone interested - Submitting news stories to be linked to from the Main page. Someone who can do this on a regular basis would also be nice.
• New Sections: Anyone interested in creating new sections (must be computer-related and educational) can submit their ideas, and start work on them.
• Graphics designer: Looking for someone proficient with graphics work to design new graphics for the pages on Avenir Web. Experience/Proficiency with graphic design a must.
• Search Engine Specialist: We need someone to get us exposed! Duties include adding to search engines and site lists all over the web.
• General contributions: As always, comments and content suggestions are welcome.

• A beginner's guide to HTML and web creation
• Articles section: Looking for an innovative way of serving out articles from the Hardware and Software sections.
• Got an idea? Contact us!

Benefits of the project:

• Avenir Web benefits: A larger site better serves the user
• The User benefits: With users creating the content, they dictate what appears on Avenir Web, thus making things easier to find and more relevant for the average surfer.
• The Contributor benefits: All users are provided with user accounts on Avenir Web, which are explained below.

Special Benefits for the contributor:

• Each contributor is provided with a user account, which includes:
  • A POP3 email account
  • Disk space on the server
  • FTP access
  • Shell access through telnet
• The opportunity to experience a UNIX-like environment.
• The contributor has the satisfaction of knowing he's contributed valuable content to the websurfing community.
• This provides the contributor with an opportunity to create web content, which can be a valuable addition to one's resume.