On Your Own

CSI WSE (Provided by AEC Daily)

Basic Site Cost

Varies, there are free websites out there but for commercial use figure $100+ a year for just the use of space on the internet.

Free

Domain Registration

May be included with the cost of your provider or about $20 a year.

The CSI WSE gives you options; it does not require you to register a domain name. You can link to the main page (www.csiwse.org) or you can register your own domain name to use. Your domain comes under the WSE so there is no charge. If you want your own domain name you need to register it at you own cost. The WSE can also allow you to use an existing domain name.

Space Limitations

There is a set amount of available memory usage you are allowed based on how much you are willing to pay.

No limits, as many pages as you need for your chapter and file space is plentiful for posting chapter newsletters, pictures, or CDT class materials. The Knoxville Chapter has its entire CDT Class available online with power points, practice tests, assignments, and other materials.

Information Posting and Updating

Requires knowledge of FTP, and either HTML or software that can write HTML for you such as MS Word, MS Front Page, or some Desktop Publishing software. Can be very, time consuming, difficult and confusing.

You can post your own information at anytime. The CSIWSE uses a web-based editor that allows you to upload information, add and format web pages, and post images with NO HTML. It is a very similar environment as using MS Word. The web is an empty canvas to do what you want. User management (coming soon) will allow certain areas of the site to be accessed by committee chairs or other officers so they can update their own information so that the job of monthly updates is not left to one person. If you do not want to use this simple piece of technology AEC Daily is ready to help you out by posting basic information about your chapter for you within 72 hours. Also, if you know HTML you want to write your own code you can easily do that at the click of a button.

Training

If you cannot figure it out yourself don't try unless you are willing to put in the time and hundreds of dollars for formal training in HTML.

Training is available via phone through your region Webmaster, via internet conference with AEC Daily, or training sessions at region conferences. There is an initial training to get you going on your website additional training will be given as the WSE is updated with new features.

Quality Control of Services Rendered

If you don't like it change providers.

The CSI WSE site's quality of service, quality of the product and capabilities rest with three parties 1. AEC Daily - who builds, develops, and maintains the WSE, 2. the CSI WSE Development Committee -- formed of all the involved Region Webmasters -- who decided on the framework needed to answer the needs of Regions, Chapters, and Student Affiliates and makes decisions as issues arise, 3. the Users -- who use the system and give feedback as to whether the system meets their needs to inform future modifications to the system. The CSI WSE is a grass-roots effort to provide these technologies to the CSI membership. If you no longer want to be apart of the WSE then you can send 120 days prior notice to terminate the contract after which you have a choice to either pay out the contracts to advertising sponsors or maintain the site until those contracts have expired.

Student Affiliate Websites

You are on you own kid.

May have their own FREE website just as chapters do with all the bells and whistles and if the affiliate is not in a region that has subscribed to the CSI WSE they are still welcome to join.

Added Cool Stuff

Unless you added it, it isn't cool or even there

e-file -- allows quick and easy posting and sharing of electronic documents

Coming soon:

- Free forums - Create and manage a variety of discussion forums to allow your members to keep in touch

- Enhanced user access management - Allows you to assign “webmasters” to post their own information in their own area of the website and no where else (this way the product show chair can't post a mustache on the president's picture on the president's message page.)

- Much more!  The CSIWSE is always evolving!

When You Need to Change Webmasters

They better know HTML or whatever the other guy was doing. Hope your current guy doesn't relocate to Chattanooga.

No problem, the technology is as easy as email or using MS Word and there is plenty of training available.

Community Features

Non existent

The main page (www.csiwse.org) allows you to locate any chapter or region website in CSI whether they have subscribed to the WSE or not. The WSE also features shared news and events calendar. Each event or news item is classified as Institute, Region, or Chapter specific.