MyAthens interface changes - Advance Notice

Following the overwhelming response to the MyAthens User Survey carried out in March 2007 (we received 14,000 replies from users) and requests by organisations to enable them to add some local content to the pages, we have been working on the implementation of some of the requested features to MyAthens.

We are redeveloping MyAthens to give it a portal approach that will give users more information on the homepage.  The information will be placed in panels that users can move on the screen, minimize or close, so that they can customize their homepage.    We will also be providing users with a Forum section and we are investigating ways of providing a cross searching facility for resources (not for this release).  Administrators will also be able to add panels with information of their choice via the administration area.

1. Users will be presented with 3 different views depending on whether they have logged in, or have been recognized by IP address when loading MyAthens from their organization or have not been recognized:

    

   • The ‘Not logged in’ view (currently the login page) will display login boxes, general MyAthens information and user help on how to log in.
   • The ‘Organisational’ view (partially recognised) will display a default view that can be amended by the administrator via the administration area (this is optional). This can include for instance, a University logo, organization news, local links or rss feeds, etc. as well as some a login function if the user want to access resources or their personal page.
   • The ‘Logged in’ view will display a default view (optionally amended by the administrator as above) and all the resources and information available to that particular user (Favourites, Account details, Forums).

   To help you visualise the new interface, please see the MyAthens Portal preview screenshot.  Please note that this is very much work in progress at the moment.  We will send you more screenshots as work progresses.  However, you can see that the structure of the page is very similar to the current one with the navigation at the top.

2. The administration area interface will provide administrators with the necessary functionality to add/update their own content to the MyAthens start page. In addition to the preset panels containing the account information (resources, account details, etc), administrators will be able to add new panels (please see MyAthens panel screenshot) as they wish, define their position, and preview these before publishing them. They will also be able to define whether the panel can be removed or closed by the user or not. Please note that this is completely optional and administrators do not have to use this facility if they prefer not to.

In terms of timescales, we are hoping to launch the updated MyAthens interface in early August, in plenty of time for the next academic year.

If you have any comments regarding the above please contact the Athens Service Desk at athenshelp@eduserv.org.uk.

18 June 2007