Online Platform Criteria
Maine Department of Education – Online Needs Analysis
Here is a summary of online platform criteria that emerged during the online needs analysis project.
The rightmost column includes priorities (1=lowest, 10=highest) developed by Jay Collier.
Hosting Criteria
Hosting costs | ||||
| Annual hosting costs | ||||
| Network connectivity | ||||
| Hosting server/service | ||||
| Database server | ||||
| Back-up and restore services | ||||
| Administrative costs | ||||
Hosting technologies | ||||
| Server environment | ||||
| Operating system | ||||
| Web server | ||||
| Database server | ||||
| Infrastructure | ||||
| Redundant Firewall | ||||
| Redundant backbone connections | ||||
| Uninterruptible power back-up | ||||
| 24/7 network monitoring | ||||
| 24/7 server monitoring | ||||
| Weekly backups | ||||
Criteria for hosting | ||||
| Connectivity and uptime | ||||
| Monthly bandwidth | Unlimited | 8 | ||
| Connectivity uptime | 99.9% annual network connectivity | 10 | ||
| Web server uptime | 99.9% annual server operation | 10 | ||
| Database uptime | 99.9% annual database operation | 10 | ||
| Storage | ||||
| Storage Space | Unlimited | 7 | ||
| Client support | ||||
| Toll free general phone support | 24/7 | 6 | ||
| Live chat assistance | 24/7 | 4 | ||
| E-mail tech support | Response within 4 hours | 7 | ||
| Online tutorials & knowledge base | 8 | |||
| Account management | ||||
| Control Panel | Cpanel | 9 | ||
| Server-level password management | Cpanel, .htpasswd | 7 | ||
| Editable Mime Types | 5 | |||
| Editable Apache Handlers | 3 | |||
| Cron Jobs | 6 | |||
| IP Banning/Filtering | 4 | |||
| Redirect URL | Cpanel, .htaccess | 7 | ||
| Server Side Includes (SSI) | 4 | |||
| Canonical redirection (no www) | 5 | |||
| FTP management | ||||
| FTP accounts | Control panel configuration | 6 | ||
| FTP home directories | Control panel configuration | 4 | ||
| Database management | ||||
| phpMyAdmin | 9 | |||
| Remote database access | 6 | |||
| PHP and scripting technology | ||||
| PHP 5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0 | 10 | |||
| Mod_rewrite, .htaccess | 10 | |||
Software Criteria
Software licensing and costs | ||||
| Licensing
| ||||
| License | Licensing model (commercial, open-source) | |||
| Programming language | Scripting/programming language | |||
| Costs | ||||
| Cost of software license (initial) | ||||
| Cost of software renewals | ||||
| Cost of software upgrades | ||||
Criteria for software | ||||
| Code standards compliance | ||||
| XHTML compliant | Are the webpages the software generates XHTML compliant? | 10 | ||
| UTF-8 support | Software supports text encoded in UTF-8? | 10 | ||
| WAI compliant | Software generates content that is suitable for people with disabilities. Priority 2 W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. WAVE 4 validator | 10 | ||
| Microformat support | Software supports microformats (hcard, vcard, hresume)? | 4 | ||
| Software performance | ||||
| Server memory caching | Memcache or equivalent | 8 | ||
| Page caching | Platform generates cached pages for faster delivery | 8 | ||
| Element caching | Caching is available for non-page elements | 5 | ||
| Database optimization | The database can be optimized automatically | 6 | ||
| Database replication | The database be automatically replicated and backed up | 5 | ||
| Load balancing | Multiple instances can be used to reduce delivery time to users | 5 | ||
| Search engine | Fast internal content search with measurably useful results | 10 | ||
| Security features | ||||
| Rapid security releases | Software be easily and quickly upgraded | 10 | ||
| Error notification | The software notifies administrators of errors or other problems | 8 | ||
| Access privileges | Different levels of users be given access to specific functions | 8 | ||
| Authentication | The software authenticate users via ActiveDirectory or LDAP | 9 | ||
| SSL logins/pages | The software can handle secure logins, if needed | 5 | ||
| Opt-in confirmation | Software verifies user actions through double opt-in e-mail process | 8 | ||
| Captcha – logical/graphic | The software provides logical and graphic prompts to verify human users | 8 | ||
| Spam filter service | Reduce number of spam messages processed by software | 8 | ||
| Interoperability | ||||
| Repository interoperation | Platform can integrate with asset repositories, including OERs – OAI harvesting, SCORM | 4 | ||
| Database interoperation | Platform can integrate with enterprise or legacy databases | 5 | ||
| Directory interoperation | Users can be authenticated through open standards iincluding LDAP or CAS, or derivatives such as Active Directory | 8 | ||
| Integrate with external services | Integrate via API, hooks, or DOM scraping | 4 | ||
| RSS feeds | Standard feeds for categories, tags, posts, and comments | 10 | ||
| iCal feeds | Standard feeds for events | 10 | ||
| Linked data (RDF) | Software generates linked data in RDF format? | 2 | ||
| Data exchange via API | Other software can interface with the software through an open application programming interface (API)? | 4 | ||
| Administrator interface | ||||
| Cross-platform, cross-browser | Code and add-on software can be administered from any modern browser | 10 | ||
| Cross-device | The software can be administered via mobile or tablet (including iOS + Android) | 10 | ||
| FTP support | Files can be uploaded to software-accessible locations using FTP | 10 | ||
| Root access not required | Software be installed without root access to the server | 10 | ||
| Shell access not required | Software be installed without shell access to the server | 10 | ||
| Development environment | ||||
| Staging and production instances | The software supports a staging environment to test feature additions, upgrades, changes | 5 | ||
| Add-on standards | Standard methods for adding new features via add-ons | 8 | ||
| Enterprise support | Professional services, training, and support are widely available | 8 | ||
| Third-party developers | Third-parties developers are available for add-ons | 8 | ||
| Developer community | Robust worldwide developer community | 8 | ||
| Documentation | Professionally authored documentation is available | 8 | ||
| Sustainability | ||||
| Established roadmap delivery | Platform facilitates future enhancements, including nimble support for to-be-approved standards | 7 | ||
| Portability across platforms for emergency | Platform supports open standards to make interfaces, aggregation and data exchange more easily managed and portable between systems | 10 | ||
| Automatic updates for staging server | Platform supports agile testing of upgraded or new functions. | 9 | ||
Production Criteria
Domain and information architecture | ||||
| Findability and usability | ||||
| Meaningful URLs | Meaningful URLs, easilly changed by editors. | 10 | ||
| Meaningful post titles | Meaningful page titles, including site name that can be read aloud, lowercase, hyphens (SEO) | 9 | ||
| Syndication feeds | ||||
| RSS and ics feeds | Standard feeds for categories, tags, posts, and comments | 8 | ||
| iCal feeds | Standard feeds for | 7 | ||
| Multiple devices | ||||
| Print version | Print version with main content only | 6 | ||
| Mobile version | Focused on top pages, categories, updates | 5 | ||
| Search engine optimization | ||||
| Validatable code | Pages meet XHTML strict W3C standards | 10 | ||
| Sitemap generation | Sitemaps generated and updated automatically | 7 | ||
| Multiple-site management | ||||
| Multiple subsites | Single platform can support up to 100 subsites | 10 | ||
| Standard site start-up configurations | Configurations can be predetermine when a new subsite is created | 5 | ||
| Site structure import and export | Site structure and content can be imported or exported as XML, or other data exchange format | 8 | ||
| Site structure | ||||
| Nested pages and categories | Unlimited nesting | |||
| Reorganize parent and child posts | Sections and pages can be moved easily by drag and drop | 8 | ||
| Navigation functions | ||||
| Global alerts | Integration of external content, live, within all pages | 10 | ||
| Custom menus | Drag and drop menu items, including, posts, categories, external URLs | 9 | ||
| Site and section indices (A-Z) | Automatically generated | 8 | ||
| Current section path from home | Breadcrumbs | 7 | ||
| Automatic URL redirection | Automatic redirection when permalink changes | 9 | ||
| Manual URL redirection | Manual redirection can be created by author | 8 | ||
| Paged navigation – chronological | Navigation for categories and archives with large numbers of posts | 7 | ||
| Current section children | List of children on parent page | 7 | ||
| Recent posts | 9 | |||
| Term glossary | 6 | |||
| Related content pop-up | See NYTimes.com | 7 | ||
| Supplemental blocks | Content “blocks” or “widgets” | 9 | ||
| Success metrics | ||||
| Analytics integration | Google, mail service, campaigns | 9 | ||
Interface design | ||||
| Support for computer platforms and Web browsers | ||||
| Windows XP+: IE 7+, Firefox 3+, Opera 9+ | 10 | |||
| Mac OS X 10.5+: Safari 3+, Firefox 3+, Opera 9+ | 10 | |||
| Linux: Firefox 3+ | 10 | |||
| JAWS 11+, Fangs 1.06, Universal Access | 10 | |||
| Support for universal design standards | ||||
| W3C HTML valid code | XHTML Strict, with preparation for HTML5 | 10 | ||
| ADA/Section 508 | WAVE 4 accessibility checker | 10 | ||
| Microformats | hCard, hResume | 5 | ||
| Semantic structure | HTML Tidy throws no errors | 9 | ||
| Customized print, mobile, aural styling | Separate CSS for each platform | 8 | ||
| Support for mobile devices | ||||
| Custom theme for Android | 8 | |||
| Custom theme for Blackberry | 6 | |||
| Custom theme for iOS | 9 | |||
| Site-wide styling | ||||
| Theme frameworks | Theme engine supports nested parent and child interface theming | 8 | ||
| Automatic class selectors for page types | CSS selectors are automatically generated for site, section, page, post | 7 | ||
| Automatic class selectors for page elements | CSS selectors are automatically generated for title, excerpt, thumbnail, category, date, author? | 7 | ||
| Multiple, nested templates | Custom themes be selected by authors (no nav, side page, etc.)? | 7 | ||
| HTML changes not required for styling | Layout and styling built upon Meyers CSS reset, CSS 3, elegant degradation | 9 | ||
Publishing Criteria
Criteria for content management | ||||
| User management | ||||
| Number of users | Unlimited users can be activated. | 7 | ||
| User role management | Associate users with groups and users with roles, such as viewer, contributor, editor, designer, administrator, network-administrator | 7 | ||
| Simple workflow | Workflows can be assigned at the category, page, and post level with little training | 8 | ||
| Role-specific interface | Each role sees only needed functions: limited choices for contributors up through full source editing for administrators | 5 | ||
| Transferrable content assignment | Workflow roles be reapplied when there are changes in personnel. Batch changeout of one user for another in one or more workflows. | 4 | ||
| User support | ||||
| Training | Training and support available for authors and editors | 7 | ||
| Online help | Users have access to a useful online help software for the software | 8 | ||
| Content types | ||||
| Pages (drill-down) | 10 | |||
| Posts (chronological) | 10 | |||
| Event listings (dates and times) | Time-based posts, such as future and historical events can be presented within a calendar metaphor, with ICS (iCalendar) feeds | 8 | ||
| Directories | Software can present individual and organization information from structured information | 9 | ||
| Page restriction | ||||
| By user role | 5 | |||
| By password | Access be easily restricted (username/password) to sections. | 3 | ||
| By classification | Access can be easily restricted to sections | 2 | ||
| Page redirection | ||||
| Redirected URLs | Software automatically redirecst changed URLs and can users specify custom and shortened URLs | 9 | ||
| Comment management | ||||
| Required submission fields | 7 | |||
| Comment notification | 8 | |||
| Moderation queue | 5 | |||
| Prior-author approval | Comment is approved if author has already been approved. | 3 | ||
| Content subscription and notifications | ||||
| Scheduled email based on interests and engagement | 8 | |||
| Subscriber management | 5 | |||
| Content archiving | ||||
| Archives with permanent URLs | Pages and sections are archived | 9 | ||
| Quality assurance | ||||
| Last modified date | Last modified date on each post | 8 | ||
| Update reminders | Stale content reminders to authors | 6 | ||
| Expiration date | Schedule content expiration and notify author and administrator ahead of time? | 8 | ||
| Automatic metadata generation | Meta tags for description, date, categories, tags tuned for search engine optimization | 8 | ||
| Metadata prompts | Manual addition of metadata | 6 | ||
| Autolink URLs and hide email | Autolink URLs and obfuscate e-mail | 8 | ||
| Automatic link checking | External and internal link checking is automated | 7 | ||
| Logging and audit trail | Software keeps track of what users and the software have done | 6 | ||
| Web statistics | Software provides or integrates content metrics | 9 | ||
Criteria for content authoring | ||||
| Text editing and formatting | ||||
| Intuitive page creation | Authors can post and edit content without support | 10 | ||
| Simple content editing interface | Easy-to-use cross-platform, cross-browser “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) editor | 10 | ||
| Paste valid content | Content can be copied and pasted into editing window as validatable XHTML | 8 | ||
| Paste cleaned up content from Word | Customizable MS clean-up function, including stripping all tags except structure (p, h1, h2, ul, li, etc.), strong, emphasis | 6 | ||
| Insert tables from Excel data | Import from Microsoft spreadsheets (via CSV wizard) | 5 | ||
| Spell checking | The editing interface provides spell checking | 3 | ||
| External links | Link wizard | 3 | ||
| Internal links | Internal link generator | 5 | ||
| Pre-defined styles | Summary, Byline, Pull-quote, Float-right | 6 | ||
| Columns | Page column wizard | 3 | ||
| Simple functions | Software provides abbreviated text instructions for common commands | 4 | ||
| Content preview | Users can accurately preview pages in a browser without exposure to search engines | 8 | ||
| Content elements | ||||
| Embed video | Automatic player for YouTube, Vimeo, and Blip URLs, with customized attributes. | 8 | ||
| Present audio | Automatic player for mp3 files | 5 | ||
| Structured data lists/tables (searchable and sortable) | Search connected tables of data, spreadsheets | 7 | ||
| Multi-lingual content | Software supports content translation into multiple languages | 4 | ||
| File upload and insert | ||||
| File upload | Authors can upload document and media files individually or in batches | 9 | ||
| Automatic image resize | Software automatically creates multiple-sized image derivatives (including thumbnails) during upload | 7 | ||
| Media file metadata | Software stores IPTC, EXIF, XMP or other standard image data | 3 | ||
| Image galleries | Authors can easily attach images to a post and generate an image gallery, which automatically generates overlay to display multiple images | 5 | ||
| Image replacement | Authors can easily replace existing images with new ones | 2 | ||
| Content classification | ||||
| Nested categories | Software supports nested categories | 9 | ||
| Category reordering | Administrators can change order of categories and tags | 5 | ||
| Tags | Posts can be tagged | 7 | ||
| Series | Posts can be chained into a series | 6 | ||
| Location | Authors can assign latitude and longitude data to assets | 4 | ||
| Related posts | ||||
| Related posts – automatic generation | Software generate related posts automatically with customizable weighting for title, content, tags, categories | 6 | ||
| Related posts – manual selection | Editors can assign related posts manually | 5 | ||
| Integrate with external media | ||||
| Post to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn | 4 | |||
| Facebook Like button | 3 | |||
| Automatic content filters | ||||
| Autolink URL | Text strings starting with http:// automatically are automically hyperlinked | 7 | ||
| Hide e-mail addresses | E-mail addresses are automatically turned into clickable links and obfuscated to avoid spamming | 8 | ||
| External link identification | Software automatically inserts icon to indicate links are to external URLs. | 4 | ||
Collaboration Criteria
Online forms | ||||
| Design | ||||
| Drag and drop field selection | 10 | |||
| Multi-page forms | 6 | |||
| Schedule forms | 4 | |||
| Standard and advanced fields | 8 | |||
| Create blog posts from form | 7 | |||
| Conditional logic | 5 | |||
| Payment options | 2 | |||
| Prepopulated fields | 5 | |||
| Administration | ||||
| Role management | 9 | |||
| Layout configuration | 7 | |||
| Style forms with CSS | 9 | |||
| Customized confirmation messages | 9 | |||
| Payment integration | 2 | |||
| View, edit, and export entries | 10 | |||
E-mail campaign management | ||||
| Design | ||||
| Dynamic content based on subscriber information | 8 | |||
| Simple process for embedding into pages | 8 | |||
| Design builder wizard/editor | 8 | |||
| Template gallery | 8 | |||
| Free of branding from delivery service | 10 | |||
| Publish | ||||
| Trigger messages based on RSS updates | 9 | |||
| Archives with permanent URLs | 9 | |||
| Image and file hosting | 4 | |||
| Create newsletter from e-mail message | 4 | |||
| Target lists by location | 8 | |||
| Deliver | ||||
| Reliable delivery processes | 10 | |||
| Compliance with spam laws | 10 | |||
| Preview/test for multiple e-mail clients | 8 | |||
| Scheduled delivery including digests | 5 | |||
| User preferences | ||||
| Receive updates immediately daily or weekly | 8 | |||
| Receive messages integrating multiple lists | 8 | |||
| Enable Facebook comments | 4 | |||
| Manage | ||||
| Double opt-in confirmation | 9 | |||
| Lock subscriptions to prevent unsubscribing for mandatory lists | 8 | |||
| Collect and segment on user interests | 7 | |||
| Logins for multiple list managers | 5 | |||
| Custom sign-up confirmation | 6 | |||
| Restrict who can subscribe to specific topics | 4 | |||
| Dynamic subscriber options based on referring link | 5 | |||
| Manage via iPhone and iPad | 8 | |||
| Analyze | ||||
| Google Analytics integration | 10 | |||
| Reports: e-mail open, click, and forwarding | 6 | |||
| A/B version testing | 5 | |||
| Support | ||||
| User forums | 8 | |||
| E-mail support | 7 | |||
| Training videos | 5 | |||
| Phone support | 3 | |||
Event registration and management | ||||
| Define events | ||||
| Customized registration form with unlimited questions | 8 | |||
| Automatic Web pages for each event | 10 | |||
| WYSIWYG event editor with pricing, locations, categories | 9 | |||
| Import events via CSV or Excel files | 6 | |||
| Duplicate similar events | 6 | |||
| Manage recurring events | 7 | |||
| Customized page/URL per event | 10 | |||
| Event-specific e-mail campaigns | 7 | |||
| Detailed event lists by date or category | 6 | |||
| Online calendar with links to registration pages | 8 | |||
| Custom confirmation emails for each event | 8 | |||
| Multiple pricing options | 5 | |||
| Provide and process waitlists | 6 | |||
| Generate name badges and check-in lists | 5 | |||
| Pay by check or at the door | 5 | |||
| Promote events | ||||
| Optimize for search engines | 10 | |||
| Integrate with social media | 8 | |||
| Create custom contact lists | 7 | |||
| Use tracking links and affiliates | 4 | |||
| Embed customizable widgets | 7 | |||
| Attendee profiles | 3 | |||
| Print tickets | 3 | |||
| Manage service | ||||
| Secure credit card processing | 2 | |||
| Integrate with PayPal and Google Checkout | 2 | |||
| Excel and CSV export of attendee data | 8 | |||
| Embed event widget in external site | 5 | |||
Other potential future services | ||||
| Job listings | ||||
| Online payment gateway(s) | ||||