Squarespace Consent Page

Through a conversation with Squarespace support (see support ticket) I learned that their server does not support scripts. Conversations with Jessie and Zaman suggest you need to use scripts to structure the consent form properly. Squarespace will support "client-side" scripts and it seems likely that the consent page can operate as an HTML file with client-side scripts only. I'll meet with an intern tomorrow to find out: 1) do they know client-side scripts, 2)can the consent page be built with only client-side scripts, 3) cost to build page.

Squarespace may be the answer!

I just discovered squarespace.com. They are a website publisher with a blogging service. They have packages that range from free to "pro" ($12/month). There is a free 30-day trial I signed up for today. My squarespace site is http://adolescent-vct.squarespace.com/ This site allows you to build a webpage with a blogging service embedded in it. Today I set up a blog and figured out how to set "audiences." There is a "public audience" that I have restricted from seeing or accessing the blog. I also set up a "youth and service provider audience" that can access the blog with a universal username (VCT Blog) and universal password (to be provided to people once they have consented. I believe this setup will allow only those people who have received the password to see, access, or use the blog. The other thing I did today was put down some preliminary text for the consent process. It is the first page you see when you access the site, and I have added in abbreviated text. I need to determine how I can have users click through to the next page where it says "NEXT," check off boxes where the bullets are listed, and receive the username and password upon completion of consent. I know squarespace allows you to directly put in HTML code to design the site. Perhaps we can hire someone to do this within this squarespace website I have begun to build. I also need to check out the blogging application and ensure it is adequate and user-friendly.

a little more clarity

My main concern is how to have users go through a consent process before they post, and then how they can designate their own username or choose to be anonymous in their posting. Perhaps we can (1)have a webpage designed that gives an intro to the study and takes people through the consent process, (2)once through consent, users are given a password, (3)password accesses a password protected blog [blogger has a password protection option with their paid service, I believe], (4)once on the blog, can choose to post anonymously or by username [but in order to get a username, I believe people must set up their own blog -- which is a problem]

creating a link

Click here
and here for blogging resources, particularly geared toward educational settings

the learning curve

So, I was just thinking about why this all seems so confusing to me when just about everything I read about blogs claims they are quite simple. I'm having a hard time envisioning how this might function for the project I'd like to use it for. I feel there are inconsistencies between the abilities of available technology and the needs of the project, but I'm having a hard time grasping what these might be. Mostly they relate to questions of how to ensure user's confidentiality, and how to require users to pass through an online consent process and username/password development before being able to post comments on the site. This is why I am experimenting here. I am also feeling confusion around how to locate applications and decide which to use or what combinations to use. For example, which application will be best for confidentiality and consent process issues? Are there applications that allow people to comment on other people's comments in addition to the main posts? One more thing I'm wondering is if there are search engines to locate blogs on specific topics. I'd like to check out if any exist related to our project topic: adolescents and HIV VCT.

My first post

This is my first post to my first blog. It is an experiment in the mechanics of blogging so I can understand what it is and what I can do with it. We'll see how it goes . . .