Weekly Update #2

The Underground as whole is beginning to solidify and take shape. The methods used to put the paper itself have been brought to a point that production time has nearly halved since the first issue (the addition of Louis on layout has helped immensely). However the proper implementation of file structuring across the network is working out very well. The process of updating the website and working out the advanced components is now my main focus. Today I was able to meet with my accountant and the budget, although previousy a potential issue, is now looking good. In order to balance each issue will be exactly 20 pages. Previous 28 page issues where a bit too costly and some of the writing quality was not up to par. In order to give writers a fair chance the amount of exclusive online material will be increased. Hence the need to focus on site updates (create a database).

Mike Guglietti is currently working on the advanced site components which were detailed when we met on Tuesday (schematics to follow shortly). We are in need of CGI, PHP, Javascript and mostly SQL programmers in order to make deadline.
-Any broken links have been fixed and a strategy to keep them up to date has been planned (we just need the manpower)
-I will be doing a complete online layout overhaul within the next two weeks, including the article navigation on the right side of the page that allows the users to search through articles of this years issues without reloading the page
-The total amount of images within the articles will be increased (banner sizes will also be decreased to 100px from 153px)

Goal / Objective completion to date: (Article 2.5 of project plan)
Hardware/Software
-The network stability within the office is good. However the older PCs are sometimes difficult to work with. A method of connecting laptops needs to be posted. A fine tuning of all networking, simplification for users and posting will be put up on Friday the 12th.

Online
-Synchronization of online material is generally kept up. Rarely are any articles posted any more than 24 hours after the issue hits stands
-Exclusive online material is beyond what was originally planned

Print
-There are currently 11 distribution points from the original 6. Negotiations with The Independent (U of T paper) are in progress to get more downtown points. In return The Independent will be distributing at UTSC . There will be a meeting with the Toronto Star next week in order to increase points within UTSC.
-Grammatical and spelling mistakes are on target.

Advertising
-Several ads have been designed by the Underground team
-Advertising increases have not yet been calculated but are well beyond 200% from last year
-There are negotiations with Campus Plus to start online advertising although they are moving slowly
-I intend to launch a major campaign within Scarborough after the christmas break

John Loerchner