Accessites.org
A New Tool, A New Look, A New Method

As a team we decided on a change. Well, several changes, actually. First thing you’ll have already noticed is a new look. But on deeper inspection you may notice many changes, from the back-end all the way to the front you’re facing now — even the way we conduct business has been changed.

The old system wasn’t broken, per se; the site was fine, the grading protocols were working, but it was getting too difficult to manage. This article — which happens to be the first you can comment on, by the way — will describe some of the changes we made and why we made them.

Site Changes

Beginning with the back-end, we decided to use WordPress as a content management system (CMS). We used to use a homegrown CMS, but it wrote all the article and showcase content to XML flat files instead of a remote database. These files were cumbersome to work with to say the least.

Couple all of that with security concerns and other aspects of web site management, and it was decided moving to something else was going to be in everyone’s best interest. WordPress is well-managed and well-supported, plus many of us are experienced with it, so it seemed to be a logical choice.

We installed a usable and accessible theme called Beast-Blog v.2.0 (made by Mike), re-styled it and enhanced it, and we installed some plugins:

• Run PHP
• Bad Behavior
• Secure and Accessible Contact Form (custom version)
• Semilogic Bookmark Me
• W-a-s-a-b-i Related Posts

Excluding Bad Behavior, the theme and plugins were all modified to ensure even greater accessibility and usability. The modifications were made to enhance keyboard and screen reader usability specifically, but all visitors should find this site very simple to use. What with the new search functionality and categorization of topics, finding the goods sure will be simpler.

Modus operandi

Busy lives, rigid grading schedules, and spending copious amounts of time doing it all necessitated a change in the way we did things around here. Our criteria will remain the same in essence, but we are going to start being more subjective in our grading. Moreover we are going to discuss sites as a group, not just pairings of dedicated graders.

As a team we will effectively be raising the bar. There are some sites we’ve awarded in the past that, while technically meritorious, lacked what we’re really looking for. The “stunning” part of the equation. We know what we like and we know what we want. It’s that we’ll be giving you, dear reader. The results will likely be more turn-downs and disappointment — and probably fewer sites awarded — but we have to do this. We have a point to prove. And if you’re good enough to give us what we want, you will be recognized.

There will be no more points and no more public grading sheets. Only award levels. You’ll have to trust our judgment and accept it as is. But we think we’ll earn your trust. It’s going to be exceedingly difficult pleasing us all. Sites that do get in are going to have to be pretty impressive. Stunning designs, semantic builds, accessibility. Our winners will have it all.

What to Expect

We expect fewer sites will be awarded and done so on a less-rigid schedule, but due to the nature of the WordPress publishing platform, you’ll probably see the number of articles increase. Up next, for instance, is a great one from Tommy Olsson about Graceful Degradation and Progressive Enhancement. To us this all makes sense. Based on our 2006 feed subscriber numbers, it seems that our articles have the greatest following. We’re going to apply more focus in this area and give our visitors, you, what they want.

To preserve the sanctity of the web, links will be redirected automatically after the old site is taken down. This way nobody has to deal with broken links. If you do want to update your links that is fine, but you won’t have to.

You may, however, want to update your RSS feed subscription. The showcase and articles feeds will be combined into a single feed, which will also be available via Feedburner.

Hindsight

We had a good first year. It was a lot of work, and there was a learning curve, but over all we were successful. But we have now made some changes we felt necessary to encourage the continued and long-term growth of Accessites. Hopefully we’re doing the right thing, and not all of it is completely clear — in hindsight we shall see — but we did all agree to these changes, and we’re enthusiastic and optimistic.

Please wish us well. We hope you accept our changes and continue to offer us your support.

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