02.13.06
webpick of the week
Government, Public Service
This leading research institution provides insight into the local cultures and political structures of the Middle East. Its global audience consists of political decision-makers and officials, educators, the media and the organization’s members. The content, created by senior fellows and staff provokes critical thought, sparks debate and creates action regarding the Middle East. It covers, in depth, subjects such as nuclear proliferation, energy policies, terrorism and the Israeli/Palestinian peace process at a time when the impact of Middle Eastern politics, on the global community, is at an all time high. The previous incarnation of the site was 4,000+ pages of poorly organized, static HTML. With this major redesign, a huge assortment of content is managed with a dynamic, database-driven backend. Although we could easily discuss this site’s visual structure, its appeal lies in its ability to offer unparalleled access to information.
• This 6,000+ page site is managed, with minimal cost, by a full-time staff of one (with the help of a part-time freelancer).
• Expandable outline arrows in the primary, left-side nav, reduce clutter and allow visitors to minimize content areas which saves needless scrolling and allows bottom-subjects to be brought “above the fold.”
• The site utilizes open source software, including PHP and MySQL.
www.ms-ds.com