To: Miss Enger

From: Olivia R. Spencer ORS

Date: October 22, 2010

Subject: Website to Promote a Student Traveling Service

_____________________________________________________________________________________

This memo reflects what I would like to provide the student body with in terms of transportation.
Throughout the memo I will be describing what it is that I would like to do, and why, as well as how I
plan to carry out my proposed project.

Proposal
The project that I am proposing is in support of student accessibility outside of campus. I will be creating
a website that can be used campus wide so that students may find rides among their peers; however, the
website will be limited to the use of students attending NDSU. The website will consist of a main page
that informs the users of how the website works. There will be five links that appear at the top of the
home page which will be labeled as; prices, locations, drivers, riders, and rules and regulations. To
complete this project I plan on working closely with Information Technology Services (ITS) located in
the Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center. I also plan on implementing the use of the
technology commissioners of Student Government. The final product will be presented to you through
both a link and word document so that you may see accessibility of the service, as well as thoroughly
review the material. Below I have provided further detail of my proposal in regards to the research
component, and what writing will be presented on the website.

Proposal: Research
Classes involving computer science have provided me with much knowledge in the field of web
design. However, in areas where I feel that I need more help I will make use of the resources
provided through ITS, as well as work with technology commissioners so that they may help me
in creating a successful webpage. I also plan on looking at several web pages. I will first focus on
major company websites so that I may implement ideas into both my design layout and ease of
use. I will then focus on transportation companies so that I may see how both cost is applied, and
how rules and regulations are stated. Much of my information will be derived from technology
experts.

Proposal: Writing
The webpage and the information provided on each link will total six pages. Two of the six pages
will consist of an “about me” blog; the “about me” blog will be located on the driver and rider
links. As a webpage there are limitations as to what fonts may be used. Most of the webpage will
be written in times new roman font. Headlines will be of a different font and bolded. The home
page will consist of a welcoming message and will than describe the objective/goal of the website.
Under each link there will be a paragraph describing what the section represents as well what
information is required from individuals. The rules and regulations link will consist of a list of
rules that must be followed in order to participate, as well as regulations and liability release. On
the rules and regulations link there will also be a liability release form available for the drivers to
give to their passengers.
Objective
The need for a driving service that allows students who do not have vehicles to get home has been
requested on several occasions to Student Government. However, because there are several things that
must be prioritized, Student Government has not been able to take action on this idea. By creating this
website I am taking into focus the needs of the students and implementing them into a basic design that
can easily grow in the future.
 Creating this website allows me to achieve my personal goal of providing a service that will be
useful for the students as well as strengthening bonds and creating friendships for NDSU students.
 Another benefit to this project is that it allows for students to make money outside of a traditional
job.
 Since my project involves creating a website I will need to be resourceful with what I am given
access to through both human resources and information in web creation. Through the course of
the project I wish to learn how to create a website using HTML.
 I also wish to learn how to update the information, as well as keep track of its users. I will
implement design ideas from several resources and research prices that will be friendly for student
users.
 I also wish to grow more knowledgeable in regard to what can and should be provided in a
liability release form, as well as what makes the form contract binding.

Methods
To complete the work that the website will require is time consuming. Because my webpage requires a
large amount of time, it will be easier for me to break my project down into a list of how I plan on
prioritizing and budgeting my time to each required section. Below I have both labeled and described
how I plan on approaching my website design.

1. The first week will be vital for researching and creating a homepage. I will need to get the
homepage done before I can create the other links. Because the homepage will provide
users with the first impression of my website, it is vital to make it both appealing and
functional for users.
2. After I have created the homepage I will create the link for rules and regulations. Because
this link will provide the information that drivers and riders must read before they agree to
join this website, it must be worded carefully and release me from any liability should a
rider be injured in a car accident. I will also need to provide a liability release form on a
clickable link that will proved drivers with a form to have their passengers sign. This part
should also take about a week.
3. The creating of the price link should take about three days. The price link will contain
information on the lowest amount of money that can be paid to drivers, as well as the
amount that should be paid for certain distances.
4. The two time consuming links, driver and rider, will take up most of my time for the last
two weeks. During this process I will need to create a blog section where riders and drivers
will submit their names and provide a brief “about me” section so that drivers can better
asses who they could possibly be driving. In the final week of production I will be
discussing and meeting with ITS, and technology commissioners, to review the website
and discuss any possible ways to improve it.
Timeline
The following timeline table outlines the order in which things will occur and when they will be
completed. Because each step listed above is vital, it is important that implement enough time for each
step.

TASKS WEEKS Actual Date of

October 23 – October 29 Completion
October 30 – November 6 Used to check
November 7 – November 21 1 2 3 4 progress of tasks.
November 22 – December 10
1. Project proposal turned in to Miss Enger (due 10/22).
2. Research/learn software applications.
3. Rough outline or draft of information to be included.
4. Create homepage for website.
5. Create links for homepage
6. Create page for location
7. Research liability and contract documents
8. Work on and complete the rules and regulations page.
9. Research prices for rides and add information to prices pg
10. Create page for drivers
11. Create page for riders
12. Final revisions and draft sent to technology
commissioners for opinion.
13. Final project submitted to Miss Enger (due 12/3).

Evaluation
Miss Enger will evaluate the progress and final product of this project by using the grading rubric
provided below. I will measure my own success by tracking the timeline with my project due dates, as
well as conducting a meeting with Miss Enger so that she may personally see my progress and provide
comments as to what I should possibly add or leave.
Ruberic
Personal Project ____/100 pts

Content ____/50 pts

____(50) six individual web pages are available for viewing. These include; homepage, prices, locations,
driver, rider, and rules and regulations. The information contained within each individual web page is
appropriate for the heading of the page and is clear, concise, and functional for the viewer of the page
reflecting thought and consideration for what the page should contain.
____(40) only 4 pages are available for viewing or the information contained within the pages available
falls short of expectations found in the project proposal.
____(32) less than 4 pages are available for viewing or the information contained falls very short of
expectations found in the project proposal.

Writing Components ____/25 pts

____(25) the diction, syntax, vocabulary, and tone of the writing throughout the website reflects the
purpose and nature of a student mobility online service website and is appropriate for all possible users,
including: administration, and students.
____(20) some of the writing is inappropriate for one or more of the demographics of possible users of
the website, but not to the extent of being grossly inappropriate, too juvenile, or unprofessional.
____(16) the writing contained within the website falls short of what would be expected of an online
student service that provides rides.

Visual Components ____/25 pts

____(25) the design, layout, graphics, and visual elements of all pages are appealing, self service oriented,
and related to what a viewer would anticipate or expect to be found on an online driving website.
____(20) some of the design, layout, graphics, and visual elements are either too cluttered, too minimal,
or are not appropriate for an online driving website. More thought, planning, or attention to detail is
required.
____(16) the visual elements of the website are overwhelming, too sparse, and/or inappropriate for the
intended viewers and users of the driving website and it is obvious that these elements were included
without planning, proper time, or consideration.
 Reading References

Anderson, Paul. Technical Communication: A reader-centered approach. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning:

Boston, 2011. Print.

Gurley, R. Gabriel. OpenOffice.org: Conceptual Guidebook eBook. OpenOffice.Org, 2010. Print. A

downloaded compendium to OpenOffice.org downloaded from the creator’s website that gives a

step-by-step guide to using OpenOffice.org applications, tools, and software.

Microsoft. Microsoft Learning: Make your site accessible. Microsoft Corporation: Washington, 2010. 21

Oct. 2010 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office-live/make-your-site-accessible-

HA010336559.aspx?CTT=1