Dear Colleagues:
This message provides essential information on the implementation of UC ANR's new website using the Drupal Content Management System, focusing on migration and cleanup of Site Builder and Blog sites.
This is a follow-up to the IWP 101 ANR Update that went out on June 27, 2024.
Migration to Integrated Web Platform (IWP)
Migration means that content will be exported from Site Builder and become available in Drupal. The goal is to migrate existing, relevant content to Drupal while avoiding migration of irrelevant, outdated, duplicate, and unused content, images, and files. Site Builder editors should complete the Site Builder and Blogs Cleanup actions provided in the last section below.
The list below provides information on what will be migrated. The migration is estimated to start in November 2024 with a targeted go-live in December 2024. If these dates change, we will communicate it broadly.
Migration and conversion will be for existing sites and blogs on a specific date that will be communicated well in advance. Anything created before the migration date will be captured.
What's Migrating
Only Active Sites and Blogs and their contained content
Active sites are defined as published on Site Builder and/or Blogs. Draft and inactive pages with their containing assets will not be migrated. There will be no date of publication restriction on the content. Published Content in Site Builder will be set as “Published” in Drupal. This will avoid the risk of content issues across the entire website due to missing owners, editors, challenges with resources, etc.
Images and Files
Only files that are in use (i.e., published) will be migrated. “In use” is defined as published on the same site where the associated file library exists. Images and Files have the option of Alt and Title attributes as well as Captions; these will be migrated. Because Site Builder converts original file names into numbers, the Alt and Title Attributes become very important for identifying what images are about. Editors should ensure images on Site Builder have these attributes and captions populated.
Meta Descriptions
Each Page in Site Builder should have a unique and descriptive Meta Description. Existing Meta Descriptions will be migrated.
What's Not Migrating
Site Builder comprises approximately 700 websites, thousands of pages, and thousands of files and images that are no longer being used. The overhead is enormous. Blogs suffer from the same issues. Over 465 Blogs exist and contain as many as 47,000 posts. Many of these blogs haven't been used in years. Site Builder and Blogs use different underlying technologies, and some features or customizations won't translate directly to Drupal due to technical incompatibility.
Not migrating
These may be assessed for possible future migrations:
- Some Site Builder assets (e.g., ANR Survey Tool integration with sites, Site Builder blog comments, Newsletter subscribers).
- All custom Site Builder assets – These include assets that are widgets built by ANR IT for one site or one unit's use (e.g., Universal Review System, custom databases and media players, custom survey result pages).
- Removed and inactive Site Builder pages and assets – These will be available on Site Builder during the transition period and eventually will be permanently deleted. If desired, individuals should back up this information onto a cloud service like Box.
- Unused images and files will not be migrated. These are files that are not being displayed in/inserted into any Site Builder pages.
- Sites hosted on other content management system platforms (e.g., WordPress, SiteFarm, UC IPM Cold Fusion site).
- Sites with no owner, no traffic, or no content – These will be made inactive and will not migrate. IWP team will reach out to admins/responsible parties/editors prior to inactivating any sites.
Not in scope
- ANR Portal applications will not be affected or changed (e.g. ANR Survey Tool, Collaborative Tools, Bibliography, Repository, Volunteer Management Systems).
- Customized websites are not part of the foundational build, which will provide a solid platform for enhancements in the future.
This may cause some disappointment. We appreciate your patience as we focus on delivering the foundational release. After the IWP system stabilizes, more information will be shared about alternative tools and how to request these items to be migrated in future stages. Non-Site Builder site migration can be evaluated post go-live on a case-by-case basis.
Site Builder and Blog Cleanup
As part of the IWP content strategy, not everything should exist in the new site. Please take some time to review your websites and pages. Start by following instructions/tips on the links below.
Site Builder Cleanup Checklist: https://ucanr.edu/sites/sb3help/bestpractices/site-builder-maintenance/Site_builder_cleanup_checklist/
Delete unused sites, pages, and assets: https://ucanr.edu/sites/sb3help/administration/deletions/
Site Builder Maintenance: https://ucanr.edu/sites/sb3help/bestpractices/site-builder-maintenance/
As part of Site Builder cleanup efforts, Stephen Dampier is holding a weekly open office Zoom Session to answer your questions.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. PST
Zoom Link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/97937501529?pwd=Zm1PaGRuc0htcnVZbmZQaGcya3oxQT09
Remember, while we're not immediately shutting down Site Builder, this cleanup prepares us for a smoother transition. We will be sending out more reminders leading up to the final migration.
Questions or Concerns?
Check out the IWP FAQ page, and email iwp@ucanr.edu with any concerns that are not addressed there.
IWP Core Team
Kit Alviz
Dustin Blakey
Stephen Dampier
Linda Forbes
Jaki Hsieh Wojan
Mike Hsu
Scott Leaf
Andrew Waegli
IWP Project Sponsor
Tu Tran