Webmaster's Notes

Thank you for visiting the virtual home of the Troy Hammerheads robotics team! What you're visiting now is a website that has progressed as the seasons have gone by. Two years ago we created a custom CMS (Content Management System) that worked wonders. The following year we moved to MODx Revolution, another CMS. Currently, we use "Joomla!" which is a great CMS for many reasons. There's even a page dedicated to it in the left column!
 

Our website uses the latest version of HTML, called HTML5, and we have taken great measures to insure that the website is cross compatible with all modern browsers. Furthermore, you may notice certain interesting features on the website, such as the changing background based on your computer time. There are four different backgrounds, illustrated in the following image:


The reason we use our current CMS, Joomla!, is because it allows us to customize our website while still letting other members interact with the site, even adding content. The design was made by the Web Team while the content has been contributed by many members of the Hammerheads. The Web Team has been able to do an extensive amount of custom coding while giving easy access to other team members which is an improvement over the previous versions of the website.


Things have come very far. Joomla! can be a valuable tool to anybody who needs to build a website.  But there are many aspects to the program, and to use it the way we did to build our website, there is a steep learning curve to overcome. There are many ways to achieve this, but first of all, you must learn the basics. This means HTML, and if you want a good-looking custom-made website, it also means learning CSS. Please check the side menu labeled "Webmaster's Notes" or visit the Programming Resources for help on how to build a website.

The Hammerheads have a separate workgroup just for handling the website, called the Web Team. Anybody willing to learn web programming has the opportunity to be taught by the Webmaster. Teamwork has been essential in creating this complex website which would not have been accomplished by only one person. Tasks are delegated and completed far quicker than previously possible.

Please don't forget to view the resources on the left side! There is a good chance that the information in those pages will help you. If you have any specific questions, use our contact form. Need to start a website for your team? Go ahead and ask for support!