Web and Media Services
IT Support Services provide a variety of Web and media services for staff and graduate students including website hosting, media acquisition and project development.
Website hosting
Personal and teaching resource websites can be hosted on the Faculty's servers.
Website hosting FAQ
What format will my MML url take?
MML-hosted websites take the form of www.mml.cam.ac.uk/youruserid, so e.g. www.mml.cam.ac.uk/abc123 for personal websites, or www.mml.cam.ac.uk/teaching/paper, so e.g. www.mml.cam.ac.uk/teaching/frb3 for Tripos paper sites. Please contact us for further information on group sites and wikis.
Why would I want to use an MML-server, rather than the PWF?
The PWF provides a host of excellent services on their Personal Web Pages facility, but it's not currently possible to host a personal blog, or themed website such as you'll find through Wordpress. If you want any of these you should consider hosting your site within the Faculty.
Can I keep my current PWF site and link my new online resources to it?
Yes, it's very straightforward. Just setup a link to your new resources in the same way you would to any other external website.
Are there rules and regulations about what I can post and the materials I can use?
The short answers are "Yes" and "Lots" though none of them are in any way onerous. In brief, don't use your site for commercial purposes, or indeed for any other organisation, regardless of how good the cause is; don't post up anything illegal (obviously!); don't bring the University into disrepute; don't use University logos on any personal pages and abide by the rules and regulations setup by the Information Strategy and Services Syndicate (ISSS).
Can you help me develop the look and feel of my website?
Absolutely. We've got a selection of templates you can choose from and we're happy to ADVISE you on how to tweak and develop them further.
Can you write my website for me?
Sadly, we just don't have the time and resources to be able to offer this service. Today's modern templates make it much easier to add content to your site than was previously the case. You don't have to learn to code if you don't want to. If you can format a word processed document and add images to it then you can probably write a website.
But I do want to learn to code, so what can I do?
There are plenty of ways you can learn to code up your webpages. For a quick introduction you can take advantage of the relevant modules in our in-house staff or graduate training programmes. If you really want to get to grips with technology, including digital audio and video and dynamic content, then consider signing up for our Certificate in Humanities Computing (CHUCOL).
If you'd rather work in your own time, then the best place to start is the relevant recommended reading from CHUCOL
- Watrall, E. and Siarto, J. (2008) Head First Web Design, O’Reilly Media
- Freeman, E. and Freeman, E. (2006) Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML, O’Reilly Media
The Computing Service also run Web authoring courses.
Media Acquisition and Conversion Services
We run a self-service Media Conversion Facility within the CALL Facility. Using this facility it's possible to convert analogue audio and video sources (Mini-DV, VHS NTSC, PAL, and SECAM) to a digital format, or to scan in photographs, documents or 35 mm slides. If you're interested in learning to use this equipment please make an appointment through the Help Desk and we'll arrange a tutorial. Please be aware that you're responsible for the copyright clearance on any materials you digitise and you'll be asked to complete a form to confirm you've done this.
If you're digitising resources for your teaching you can also take advantage of the Teaching Support Services.
If you want to develop your own audio or video materials, e.g. podcasts, we have digital video cameras and tripods available for loan. If you don't have access to your own Mac to work on your post-production then you're welcome to use the Mac in the Media Conversion Facility. Again, training in the use of all this equipment can be arranged through the Help Desk.
Project Development
IT Support Services are happy to advise you on any technical aspects of project development, including the technical aspects of your grant applications. If you think your project will require significant technological input we can also advise on how to bid for staff time in order to ensure we're able to dedicate sufficient resources to its development and support.
Subject to resources we're also able to take on smaller-scale projects such as the development of websites for individual Tripos papers. Please make an appointment to discuss any such projects with us.
