Updates

DubBot Training

Web accessibility has always been a requirement for UMaine websites, and ensuring your content is accessible is part of an inclusive communication strategy. This month, we discuss the new accessibility checking tool DubBot and training available. Coming in September: DubBot Accessibility Checker DubBot is a new website compliance checking tool (replacing Monsido) that we will be available for use […]

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Past WPCampus conference recordings available

WPCampus is an annual conference focused on the use of WordPress in higher education. This year’s event was held in mid-July, and recordings of the sessions will be made available soon in their Learning Library. This resource offers a convenient filter to view sessions from 2016–20 on topics from Accessibility to Writing, all with the […]

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Gutenberg training in August

In late June we conducted our “beta test” of Gutenberg training, and the results of that session are informing what will become our official Gutenberg training. We will continue to offer our existing “basics” training (now called content blocks basics), and all three of these trainings (Gutenberg basics, Content Blocks basics, and Beyond the basics) […]

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July 24 WordPress updates

The University of Maine websites benefit from great support by the University of Maine System IT department, and part of this involves a quarterly schedule of updates to keep the technologies we work with current. Updates to add-on software (plug-ins) Features such as our events calendar and web forms use add-on software that WordPress refers […]

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WPCampus 2023 online conference

WPCampus is a non-profit three-day conference focused on the use of WordPress in higher education. In addition to the in-person event, WPCampus will be streaming their events to everyone who registers online for their free online access to this hybrid event. Digital Communications team members will be attending this conference, and we encourage anyone interested […]

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July 1 changes – Google Analytics, Accessibility training requrements

There are two important changes coming for website content managers on July 1, which we have announced in earlier newsletters. Google Analytics: Older analytics shutting down end of June, version 4 only July 1 As we have announced over the last year, Google Analytics is shutting off their original Google Analytics product on June 30, […]

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Accessibility and inclusion: Transitioning from Monsido to Dubbot in September

This month, we share more information about a new tool for accessibility compliance. Monsido to be available until September 30 Many of you have utilized the Monsido tool to identify broken links, misspelled words, and accessibility issues with your website. This tool will continue to be available through the summer while the new system is […]

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Google Analytics: less than 40 days until switchover

Google will be shutting down its older web analytics product (Universal Analytics) on June 30, 2023. Digital Communications enabled Google Analytics 4 for all web sites at the start of this year, but we have found that in many instances existing users do not have access to the newer “GA4” profiles. If you make use […]

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Gutenberg training and roadmap update

With invaluable help from UMS IT resources, Digital Communications continues to make progress toward adopting the updated “Gutenberg” page editor. Work underway this month includes: Identifying the specific features (called blocks) we will make available to all users Creating ready-made design elements (called patterns) that can be dropped onto pages Consulting with early adopters of […]

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Accessibility and inclusion: Improved accessibility tool coming soon

This month, we share exciting news of a new tool for accessibility compliance. Coming next semester: DubBot Many of you have utilized the Monsido tool to identify broken links, misspelled words, and accessibility issues with your website. Accessibility compliance tools are improving every year, and in late 2022 the University of Maine System put out a Request […]

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