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Information for Outside Developers

Access to our web server is limited to those who have a UM uniqname and an SPH UNIX account.

Typically, when an outside vendor develops a site for an SPH group, they develop it on their own server and then when it is ready to be launched, put all the files on a CD and deliver it to me. I then take care of the initial file upload. After that, the project staff member designated to maintain the site will be given access to the server.

Server-side scripting is only allowed in the scripting directory of our web server, and I am the only one who has access to it. However, if server-side scripting and web databases are required, you can develop and/or test your site on our development server. Once ready to launch, I will move it to our production server. If updates need to be made, they must be made on the development server and then copied again to the production server. We support PHP, ColdFusion and MySQL.

If server-side scripting or database-driven websites that need to be modified frequently are required, you might consider obtaining your own virtual server from SPH Computing Services.

We support server side includes (SSI), secure socket layer (ssl) and the University's Cosign authentication scheme. You do not need to use the file extension .shtml for files that use SSI. We simply need to set the file permission to 755.

For web forms we use HTMail. More information is available on our form mail page.

For web searches we use HTDig. If needed, we can configure a custom search for your project's web directory.

Flash is fine, as long as alternative content is available to those who do not have the flash player. The same is true for JavaScript - people who have JavaScript turned off should still be able to access content.

The pages should be easily maintained with Adobe Dreamweaver. The project staff member designated to maintain the site will use Dreamweaver and will most likely be a novice. You need to make it easy for them to update the site.

If the project is federally funded, the site is required to meet Web Accessibility standards. Please make sure that your markup validates to XHTML 1.0 transitional, and that your CSS validates as well.

Please feel free to contact sph.web@umich.edu for more information.