We had five Advocate nominations, representing Australia, UK and USA:
Digital Marketing Officer at University of Salford, UK
Profile
Darren Langlands is a key member of the University of Salford’s Communications & Digital Team based in the North West of England. He started building websites in the early 90s and since then has won numerous awards for creating innovative, user-focused content as a part of high-profile international branding and recruitment campaigns. He led on the roll out of Squiz Matrix at Salford and is working closely with Squiz UK and Funnelback on the development of a brand new website that will be launched in late September. He is an open evangelist for Squiz’s products and regularly enthuses on all things Squiz to stakeholders across the UK. Darren believes that anything is possible with Matrix – you just need to know which keyword to use.
Why you should be selected?
I’m one of those strange hybrids: A marketing/comms guy with a technical background – An all-rounder, equally at home working with high-level stakeholders to achieve business objectives or getting down and dirty in the code with developers. I speak both fluent management gibberish and intermediate uber-geek and often act as a go-between with senior management, stakeholders, IT and Squiz – I’m hoping this means I can help broaden the definition of what a community member is, drawing in a diverse mix of strategists and comms types alongside the techies that have already forged a strong presence. Bringing people together is ultimately what helps drive forward real change and innovation - and in addition to gatherings such as this one, ‘the cloud’ offers us many innovative and exciting ways of growing and enabling the Squiz community.
What are the top priorities you would use the funds to address?
- SQUIZ GLOBAL: Increase the number of community-focused events - enabling participants to become involved no matter their geo-location.
- SQUIZ ROADSHOW: Encourage (and fund) regular appearances and case study presentations by Squiz Community members at a variety of international conferences and events such as IWMW, SxSW @Media and Case.
- SQUIZ 'SWEET': Draw Matrix, EES and Squiz CMS closer together – e.g. bring in-line editing goodness into EES; make the connection between Matrix and CMS two-way; ensure a consistent user experience when navigating the Asset Map in EES – e.g. no bouncing into the back end version of the asset tree. Expanding support and documentation for third-party tools and plug-ins and more context-awareness throughout Matrix would also be special.
- SQUIZOLOGY: Build on the excellent principles of Squiz Roadmap by encouraging and enabling clients to pool together resource and finance to make new features a reality.
- SQUIZ SHADOW: Fund a shadowing/mentoring scheme where new users can shadow a Squiz developer, Business analyst or experienced Squiz User for a day.
How would you promote the Squiz Community?
- LISTEN to users and their ideas and provide regular events and channels (including Squiz Roadmap), where they can feed back directly to Squiz and engage with each other.
- SUPPORT users through incorporating real-life case studies into key sections of the Squiz Manuals site.
- PROMOTE and assist community members build their profile (and the profile of the product) by funding appearances at major international conferences and events.
- CELEBRATE the community with an awards ceremony as part of next year’s User Conference where the community can recognize the great work of its members.
- GROW the community by appointing several regional Squiz Community roles next year (instead of just one) to form a global network of advocates and share the love around.
Webmaster at Pacific Union College, USA
Profile
I have a background in Film and Television production but started into the web industry back in 2001. Currently I am the Webmaster at Pacific Union College in California. We moved over to MySource/Squiz Matrix when we launched our newest website version in 2008. I have experience in HTML, CSS, PHP, Linux, Javascript, Objective C and building iOS apps.
Why you should be selected?
I have been using MySource/Squiz Matrix for over 5 years and have developed a number of features that have been included in the core such as the MP3 File Asset, Video File Asset, Custom Form CAPTCHA fonts and most recently the first version of the JS API.
I have been very involved in the Matrix community, daily/hourly following the Matrix Forums and responding to questions, building the Matrix Community website and providing any tips and tricks on my blog.
Currently I am developing a Matrix iOS app that will allow users to configure multiple sites, browse them using an asset map, create assets, workflow, linking, etc.
What are the top priorities you would use the funds to address?
- Features that the community is interested in.
- Develop even more API features (SOAP/REST)
- A better WYSIWYG editor for Matrix! Vyper anyone?
- Squiz Matrix promotion in the US.
- Additional Easy Edit Features
How would you promote the Squiz Community?
- Continue building and promoting the Squiz Community website that Duncan Robertson and I built.
- Use any means possible to get the word out in the US about Squiz.
- Promote Forum usage to allow community collaboration.
- Squiz meetups in all countries where Squiz is.
Digital Marketing Advisor at Logan City Council, Australia
Profile
I am currently employed at Logan City Council in Queensland as the Digital Marketing Advisor. I have a background in IT and marketing which gives me the opportunity to provide solutions within Matrix to the organisations I work for currently and also in the past.
Why you should be selected:
I have been using MySource Matrix for 5+ years and have a high level understanding of the CMS and it's functionalities. I am not an expert or developer but would bring a mix of advanced administrator knowledge combined with the front end requirements of a large scale organisation.
What are the top priorities you would use the funds to address?
Provide a bridge between Squiz and Matrix users.
How would you promote the Squiz Community?
There are a lot of MySource Matrix web presences online currently (forums, community, blogs, documentation, library, etc), I would look to bring all of those resources into a central location with the option to use social media to keep users connected and informed.
Web Business Manager at Edith Cowan University, Australia
Profile
Andrew's key responsibilities relate to developing, implementing and evaluating the University’s online systems. He is currently managing the University’s transition of web content from many independent systems into a centralised Web Content Management System. (MySource Matrix)
Andrew has a degree in Interactive Multimedia Technologies with extensive experience in all aspects of web design, including programming, database systems, server administration and management. Previously Andrew managed a large number of Apple computers and servers as IT Infrastructure manager within ECU’s Faculty of Education and Arts.
Why you should be selected:
Having worked in the web industry for over ten years I have vast experience in all areas of web design and administration. This, coupled with my current role as a MySource Matrix administrator, developer and manager, means that I am perfectly placed to act as a Squiz Community Advocate.
What are the top priorities you would use the funds to address?
- Establish a best practices framework for the SquizCMS community. A continuing theme raised throughout the support forums is that administrators struggle to configure their Matrix installations correctly, given the open-source nature of the product. Better support needs to be provided in topics such as ‘tips and tricks’, ‘common pitfalls’, ’common triggers’, and ‘caching,’ and should be established as a core component of the Squiz ‘Developer’ web pages.
- Establish a register of complementary products that Squiz Implementation Services can assist to meet clients’ needs. This could include third-party tools such as video players, adding languages like jQuery/Prototype and would assist in both clients and Squiz achieving common goals across the user base and being able to leverage previous implementation experience across the Squiz teams.
- Establish better communication methods (RSS, Mailing list) for Matrix developers. You often have to troll through the support forums for information of value and PDF discussion threads. Better direct client syndication would promote greater awareness amongst developers and ultimately lead to greater discussion.
- Enhance the WebCMS products to support HTML 5 initiatives such as the HTML video and audio tags within the WYSIWYG editor.
How would you promote the Squiz Community?
Given the vast and distributed nature of the Squiz user base I believe the best approach for promoting the Squiz Community is through better collaboration and knowledge sharing through the initiatives outlined above.
Belinda Manages Social Media Services at RACQ
Profile
Belinda is responsible for management of RACQ Corporate website and associated initiative websites such as Learn2go and Free2go.
She is also responsible for technical management and implementation of RACQ Social Media Strategy and RACQ's Social Media presence.
Why you should be selected:
I've done a lot of work implementing squiz across RACQ and worked strongly to encourage other users into the squiz community. I've also worked with community organisations to help them move into the squiz world. Presenting for squiz at recent events as also given me a greater understanding of the communities needs and insight into the functionality and help the community is looking for.
What are the top priorities you would use the funds to address?
- Social media - integration of social media monitoring with CMS capability
- Personalisation - expanding Squiz offerings in delivering personalised content to site visitors
- Mobile - increased mobile capabilities
- SEO - Focus on SEO capabilities within the squiz suite
How would you promote the Squiz Community?
Through increased use of social media to encourage involvement in community and increasing the numbers of organised get togethers on the local front.
