The TYPO3 system is here to stay. After implementing numerous improvements and suggestions from editors, it will become a more user-friendly tool that makes daily work easier. All of this aligns with our back-to-human strategy, which places users – those who create and consume content – at the heart of our work.
Why are we changing the website?
- COOPERATION – we listen to the needs of the community.
- THE WEBSITE IS A TOOL – it should facilitate work, not hinder it.
- INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY – digital accessibility, familiar navigation patterns and TYPO3 system updates.
How are we changing the website?
- We are refreshing and modernising the graphic design according to user suggestions.
- We are creating commonality – at the level of typography, colours and compositional patterns.
- We are introducing more recognisable navigation patterns.
- We are optimising the website for mobile devices (mobile-first approach).
What is important?
The changes won't require as much involvement from editors as before. The IT Centre has designed the system so that current modules will be automatically migrated to the new version. Website editors will be responsible for customising the menu.
Due to limitations in the next version of TYPO3, the new system will not support Bootstrap elements (e.g., Bootstrap Grid). Content will be displayed vertically – one below the other – rather than in a tabular format.
How are we implementing changes?
- We have been creating a set of recommendations for new sites, known as Stylebooks.
- We have been adapting the current website to the transition, for example, by removing small caps in titles and removing slanted modules.
- We're freezing the old website – we're providing editors with a new version of the website so they can implement new menus and new modules (4 September of the current year).
- We're launching the new website (10 September of the current year).
- We're monitoring the new system and supporting editors.
The most important changes
The look of the website:
- new types of top menus – the beginnings of sites, most often with photos,
- introduction of colour photographs,
- narrower photos on the sites,
- expanded modular structure of the sites,
- a more dense module layout, including 2, 3, and 4-column text layouts,
- new information modules enriching the website, the so-called Highlights,
- no diagonal modules.
(mega)menu:
- one main menu per site – eliminating the "University, Faculty, and Zone" menus within a single site,
- streamlining the visibility and structure of site content – avoiding drop-down menus in favour of columns (max. 6),
- a side menu, the so-called third-level menu,
- links to key university systems (e.g., email, USOS, PP, main website),
- links to zone sites,
- no "I am" secondary menu on the main sites.
Schedule of the upcoming works
As previously agreed and communicated during meetings with editors, the process of changing the website requires a temporary blocking of editing. During this period, website will display normally, including data entered on or before 4 September, 3:30 p.m.
- Until 4 September 4, 3:30 p.m. – you can edit the website in the current version.
- As of 4 September, 4:00 p.m. to 9 September inclusive – editing of the university websites will be blocked.
- 8–9 September – the website editors will have access to the new version in order to organise the current structure.
- 10 September (Wednesday) – launch of the website in the new layout; all changes introduced from this point on will be visible in real time.
Why will the website be blocked?
The company supporting the development of the new website is closed on weekends. Commencing work on Thursday, 4 September at 4:00 p.m. will minimise the database freeze period. This means that the period of unavailability for editing will be extended by one business day from the originally announced date.
What does that mean for editors?
You will not be able to make changes to the sites from Thursday, 4 September, 4:00 p.m., until Wednesday morning, 10 September. The website will display normally, but you will not be able to update it. Therefore, please plan to update any content required for display during this time before 4 September. If you need to publish something urgently during this period, please contact the IT Centre.
What does that mean for the website users?
The website will still be accessible after entering its address or keywords into search engines. However, the content and modules will be displayed in the version dated 4 September.
Source: IT Centre, University of Lodz/ Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz