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Proposal Requirements

In order to be absolutely clear about how Zanlus intends to meet the website development requirements established in the RFP, we are providing a one-to-one mapping of the requirements to the proposed solution that we are putting forth.

E-commerce

  • Online donations. E-Commerce module or customized e-commerce package.
  • CD and DVD sales. E-Commerce module or customized e-commerce package.
  • Dues Collection. E-Commerce module or customized e-commerce package.

Functions

  • Document Upload: Upload modules allow any accepted file type to be uploaded in a given page, assuming that the user has permission to do so. File types can be added or deleted based on the wishes of the site's administrators.
  • Various Requests Forms: Contact, Advanced Contact, and web form modules.
  • Select members updating infomation: Drupal uses role-based permissions to control access to the site's features.
  • Aggregated news: Drupal aggregators and content type modules.
  • Events Calendar: Events module, with data segregated to provide "members-only" event information and public event information.
  • Scrapbook: Drupal gallery module and add-on functionality modules.
  • Multimedia Content: Please see the discussion on Multimedia option.
  • Section and Full Chorus Pages: Drupal Views module.
  • Input interface: FCKeditor enables anyone who is comfortable using Microsoft Word to input and format text.
  • Chorus-only Discussion Forum: Forum module enabled only on the Chorus and Board sites.
  • Board Only section: Drupal can provide multiple secure sites from one installation, sharing user information and theme but no other data across sites.

Scalability

Drupal can scale to meet a vast range of needs. It will have no problem handling millions of entries. However, in the near future, it will probably outstrip the hosting capacity of Prairienet.

Accessability

Drupal is capable of providing clean HTML content that will meet WC3 validation standards and provide easy access to the visually impaired through a screen-reader, such as JAWS. Drupal is also compatible across the following browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0, IE 7.0, Safari 1.2, Firefox 1.0.2 or higher, and Konqueror. Part of this ability is dependent on employing a theme designed to meet these standards. Zanlus will work with the web committee to ensure that the theme employed meets or exceeds Amasong's compliance and compatibility standards.

Download Speed

Caching options and some performance tuning will be done to decrease download times. In addition, graphic elements of the theme will be kept small to reduce download time. Download times will only be substantial when the user has chosen to view or play a multimedia file.

Search Engines

Amasong desires their website to appear in search engines for the following terms: Amasong, Lesbian music, Feminist music, Women’s choirs, Champaign Urbana Illinois choirs. We will take steps to optimize the site for indexing under these terms and to improve the rankings of the choir's website on several search engines, including Google and Yahoo.

Support and Maintenance

Zanlus guarantees a 24 hour response time on all service requests. We expect to assist Amasong on site maintenance, although we would like to train select members to administer the site as much as possible. We will be involved in the project as long as Amasong desires our assistance.