The Continuing Evolution of Off The Blocks

Future Planned Enhancements

• Email reminders for payments
• Allow sdif import and export and email even for those who do not want members to log in
  
• Creating a volunteer signup system
• Showroom module
• Javascript module (so clubs can add their own javascripts)
• New, updated editor
• New module for 10 best times per event
• New scrapbook module
  

Summer 2008

• Calendar has new options for repeating events and you can delete dates in a series
• New module - Swim Time Conversion Calculator
• New renderings and improved layout:
  • articles module
  • links module (some now use images)
  • contacts module (added several new layouts)
  • roster module (new renderings added and auto image formatting)
  • calendar module (new renderings added) 
  • records module (new renderings added)
  • meets module (new renderings added with graphics)
• Give greater control to fields and naming of fields on the Meets pages and choice to add to calendar and/or special events module
• Regions in page layouts can now be assigned a background color (using custom layouts)
• A few bug fixes (mostly to handle IE issues)
• Make it easier to email OTB from website
• Emails can now have attachments
  

Spring 2008

• Off the Blocks moved to new, faster server with more security features
• Maximum website size increased
• Several tweaks to software (e.g., disabled members do not show up in sign up for meets list)
  

Fall 2007

• Added new Roster module with several variations on how they look
• Added new Up Coming Events module - shows special upcoming events; they automatically disappear with event date has passed.
• Added new image thumbnailer
• Added new file manager with several new features
• Added new import options - upload guardians as well as swimmers and sync to a wide variety of swim team software.
• Developed new system for showing the variations of module. You now select by image rather than verbal description. In the upcoming months, we will be adding new variations and their images.
  

Spring 2007

• Improved the instructions and buttons for people using the meet signup system.
• Wrote new software so that clubs with custom designs would be able to edit their navigation system.
• Allowed people to access multiple OTB websites with the same username and password (e.g., coaches with USA and school teams)
  
• Simplified default usernames and passwords
  
• Edited the import swimmers functions to use the simpler usernames and passwords.
  
• Provided some "cleanup" functions:
  • Merge information of people who have created more than one account and send an email
    
  • Make inactive all non-swimmers who have not signed in for at least 18 months.
    

Fall 2006

• Improved the email system: Text messages are sent followed by regular email, information on the email pages updated, restricted email sending to website admins (for security), and several other behind the scene changes
• Primary website admin for a club cannot be deleted and cannot be reset as a member.
• Meet Sign-Up now has 3 conditions: yes (attending), no, and did not respond online
• Fields for username and password increased in size
• Swim participant lists are alphabetized by last name (by default) but can be alphabetized by first name
• Email not a required field for members (necessary for young swimmers)
  

Summer 2006

• Simplified the website creation process (just two steps plus a verification step).
  
• Removed limit on number of navigation tabs. We still recommend 9 or few tabs, but we understand that there are special cases, especially clubs that are building websites to keep years separate.
  
• Added a new page layout option that permits multiple "Software modules" or functions per page. Teams can now have separate calendars for different practice groups, different record boards, and so on.
  
• Separated "swim groups", "email groups", and "access groups". This separation of group types reduces confusion for various functions on the website.
• Allow pages to be created that are not in the main navigation bar. This is useful if you want many different links pages. Just create a master one that is in the navigation bar and then put links on it to each of the links pages you want.
  
• Added new design options to give teams greater flexibility in the look and feel of their website.
  
• Made page editing "in-context" instead of accessible from the control panel.
  
• Added a new method for handling "long lists". This will make it easier to select a few emails from a large emailing list and simplify many other selections from long lists.
• Re-designed and re-organized control panel - it is now simpler but contains new features.
• Provided new "enhanced" options such as "Coaches Call" and "Dyad Basic" - two methods to enhance communcation.
  
• Developed more extensive help, including in-context and a special documentation folder in the control panel.
• Included a method for swimmers and their guardians to make online payments to the club. (options still in development)
  
• Added "Import from Hytek" option for adding swimmers from Team Manager to OTB website.
  
• Bug fixes.
  

• Completed a usability analysis of website and will plan major revisions for summer.
• Created some "webmaster instructions." Posted in help area. We will continue to develop and post these each season.
  
• Fixed several minor bugs.
  
• Added a "Meet Sign-up and Sign-out" area to swim team websites. Guardians and swimmers can use area to sign up and coaches and team managers can export information it to set up meet entries in Team Manager.
• Required "Swim Meets" page on websites.

• Made swim meets page list swim meets newest to oldest or oldest to newest
• Several small bugs fixed.
  

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