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1. Calling all undergraduate students!Ìý

   In early 2024, we asked students to apply to join our new Web Services Student Usability Panel. The resulting panel of 13 students shares insights about their experiences using our websites and web services.

   So far the panel has provided tons of valuable feedback on a range of projects including our new course catalogue (which will replace ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù's eCalendar), ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù students' digital journey, an email diary study, a University Advancement website project, student use of and perspectives about generative AI, and more! We're looking forward to continuing our conversations with the panel in the new year!

2. Make a clean sweep! How to archive old, outdated contentÌý

   With the migration to our new WMS platform, the pressure is on to get content cleaned up and optimized! This article, originally published in 2022, was revised in 2024 with current tools and resources. If you're one of the many site managers working on auditing and cleaning up your site content, this one is a must-read!

3. EDI best practices for websites - Writing style guides

   We had a terrific turnout at our . Close to 150 site managers and editors registered for this in-person event, a co-production of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Equity team in the OPVPA and Web Services ³Ù±ð²¹³¾²õ!Ìý
   
   In follow-up to the event,ÌýAndrea Clegg, ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù's Senior Employment Equity Advisor shared a fantastic list of style guides. If you write/create content for ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù's digital spaces, these are great resources to add to your toolkit!

4. Classy touches for your WMS site

   Many of you have told us you love this article and have bookmarked it. First published in 2017, it shows styling options on our Drupal 7 WMS platform.
   
   Looking for information about content styles on the new WMS platform? Read our article, "What you see is what you get!" guide to the new WMS.

5. Webforms, Microsoft Forms and Data Collection on the WMS

   As we switch to the new WMS, many of us are converting our webforms to Microsoft (MS) forms. This change is mainly due to legal requirements for protecting users’ data.

   When it comes to collecting data, not all data is the same. Laws require us to protect sensitive data including Personal Information (PI), and Personal Health Information (PHI). This handy article discusses things to keep in mind when requesting PI or PHI.Ìý

6. Designing great digital experiences: Now required

   As of summer 2024, all site managers and editors are required to complete the WS-102 Designing great digital experiences course. If you haven't taken the course yet, you can register for a session in the new year on our Training and events page.Ìý

   As we move into the new WMS, we'll have more tools than ever to design experiences that are user-friendly, attractive, and meaningful. The design training in WS-102 will help you take advantage of this transition.Ìý

7. How to crop images with a consistent ratioÌý

   Another perennially favourite article, originally published in 2017. If you crop your images with a consistent ratio, they will line up nicely when displayed horizontally. A good tip to keep in mind, when building block-based layouts! Check out this article for related tips and tools.

8. Best practices for hiding menu itemsÌý

   When sites are moved to the new WMS platform, disabled (hidden) menu items will become visible. One of the items on the checklist for preparing WMS sites for migration is to check for pages with disabled menu items. These pages should be deleted or removed. Get details about why this change is happening and learn about suggested alternatives to hiding menu items.

9. Fantastic (and free!) stock photo resourcesÌý

   Site managers frequently ask us where they can find free, high-resolution images for their WMS sites. Here are some sites we use when working on our own projects. If you're a fan of free stuff you can also check out our article, Make your day simpler with these free tools.

10. Website accessibility in Quebec – Legal requirements at a glanceÌý

    This article provides an overview of legal requirements for website accessibility in Quebec. In 2024 these requirements were augmented by changes introduced when the was published. For current requirements, view our Make sites accessible webpage.

Did your favourite articles make the list? For a round-up of Web Services team faves check out, Web Services top stories of 2024.