Author Topic: A possible addition to the wpg generator ? (Read 12491 times)

Lyn and Malcolm · « **on:** September 30, 2009, 11:39:27 AM »

Edited by George to say:
Ive broadcast this topic to invite comments and suggestions from our WPG enthusiasts.
Your feedback by way of contribution in this topic is invaluable, and will help shape future development.
NOTE:
WPG= Web Page Generator, the feature in IG Pro and Bonsai Genie which allows users to create web sites like these.
http://www.ideasforgardens.net/

Now on the original posting by Malcolm

George

What are your thoughts on an addition to future wpg output.

Would it be possible to have the wpg generate "alt" text for the plant pictures, the "alt" text would be the plant name derived from the IG pro database.

When one of the wpg pictures is moused over the name will appear, as on our home page here www.lynandmalc.co.uk
This would also be friendly to search engines apparently.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:02:51 PM »

Yes, that should be easy enough Malcolm.

Use this topic to make any other suggestions. When I get back to work on Gardening Software I can then look up this topic for "things to do"

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:00:31 PM »

I'll get me thinking cap on then George.

Thanks

Malcolm

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:35:16 PM »

Nothing to do with the Wpg at the moment I know, but illustrates what I would like to see on the Wpg later.

Have spent a lot of time on our garden website adding the "alt" feature to a lot of the pictures.
One instance is the Clematis mosaic page. /if you mouse over the 97 individual pictures the names of the Clematis are shown.

http://www.lynandmalc.co.uk/clematis_mosaic.htm

Malcolm

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:41:40 PM »

Just thought that there are lots of possibilities for the "alt" in the Wpg, perhaps it could pick up the height and flowering time, instead of name of plant which is on the Wpg page anyway. Would get a bit of user activity going.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2009, 09:44:56 AM »

RE:

Quote

the mosaic page with Alt http://www.lynandmalc.co.uk/clematis_mosaic.htm

Excellent. Its a lovely presentation and thats a lovely touch.
Not every visitor would appreciate the time and effort that goes into that web page, and the clever Alt function is only one aspect! I do, and look in wonder.

IF I can get it to work, I could offer an option for the user to use Plant Name OR Height/Spread OR any 3rd , 4th or whatever option you guys come up with. Search engines Image searches will naturally do better if the Plant name is used for Alt, but as you say, its there already for visitors.

Lesson for today!
Use GA004
Display a list of plants
Click on a Plant in the list and move mouse slightly
Details about the plant appear at cursor ==== Alt

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2009, 06:33:23 PM »

I hadn't noticed that before in GA004.

More reason to get all the details for each plant into the database.

I suppose we would have to incude the name in the "Alt" and Height and flowering time would suffice for me.

I look forward to the next edition.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:43:47 PM »

I think it would be too much to have both Name and details.
What do you think?

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:09:40 PM »

I agree with you George.

The wpg doesn't auto generate height of plant from database details and put it into the wpg output.? It doesn't on mine.

If it doesn't then could it be made to. Then I guess stick to just name for the alt to make it more search engine freindly.

All my filenames of plant pictures where saved with no spaces ie monardasquaw.jpg Something I have always done.
These filenames are of course repeated in the properties of the pictures on the wpg output.
It means nothing to a search engine when it sees those filenames, so rather than change all my 1000+ filenames, it would get over the problem by using the "alt" with the plant name. Does that make sense ?

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2009, 10:27:34 PM »

Yes, it does indeed, Malcolm.
Have you done any research to find out if the search engines index on the image file name or the alt tags?

RE:

Quote

The wpg doesn't auto generate height of plant from database details and put it into the wpg output.? It doesn't on mine.

Its nothing personal - its the same for everbody at present.
That is an essential thing to include in the next update!

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2009, 11:27:05 PM »

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=114016

Malcolm

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2009, 11:38:15 PM »

And an insight into Frames and how search engines read them

http://searchenginewatch.com/2167901

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2009, 09:09:24 AM »

Two good links there Malcolm.
As you know, in the linking Plants to Photos process, you have an option to change the file name of the photo.
This can be done in IG Pro, IG, Bonsai Genie and Flower Genie.

I can provide the option for WPG enthusiasts to rename the thumbnail which the WPG program creates.
That could give the image a searchable name, and the alt would have the same name.
Means the file name on disk for the original could remain "as is".

Thus in the example you quoted:
monardasquaw.jpg could be the name of the original
Monarda_Squaw.jpg could be the name of the WPG thumbnail (which is uploaded to the server)
Monarda Squaw could be the ALT name.

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2009, 03:19:07 PM »

Regarding the option to rename the thumbnail that the Wpg creates.
Hows about the possibility of actually picking up the name of the plant from the IGpro database for the renaming.
That would alleviate any miss spellings (as we check them on RHS link anyway for the database) or filenames like DSC2345.jpg that come from the camera numbering.

If that could be done, then not sure about what could go in the Alt, as I guess pointless to have the plant name in both filename and Alt.

One possibility is to have a button in the review page GA32S08 where you could input a short descriptive text for the Alt when you add a plant to a review.

Then that would satisfy in full, the requirements of the page I gave the link to, in Google Webmaster tools.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2009, 04:17:07 PM »

RE:

Quote

Hows about the possibility of actually picking up the name of the plant from the IGpro database for the renaming.

Thats what I had intended to do, Malcolm.

The Alt name has another function.
If, for any reason, the image cannot be displayed, then the purpose of the alt is give a hint as to what should be there.
As such, I would propose to make both the Alt and file name one and the same.

RE:

Quote

One possibility is to have a button in the review page GA32S08 where you could input a short descriptive text for the Alt when you add a plant to a review.

It will be generated automatically as above, and placed in a new field. The user can edit, then save
Same for Image renaming (it will be much the same as you have already when linking photos)

It will make a nice touch. Keep the ideas coming Malcolm (& all, of course)

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2009, 07:22:13 PM »

Thanks George

Happy with that.

Have you had a chance to look at that other link concerning frames. ?

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2009, 09:52:03 PM »

Yes, briefly, Malcolm.
As you know, the WPG uses frames

I'll study it in more detail when I get my current job finished.

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2009, 07:31:05 PM »

I have updated our Phlox page on our website today with the alt feature on all 31 pictures on the page.

http://www.lynandmalc.co.uk/phlox.htm

I have no idea if the alt feature works on browsers like firefox etc $:-\$ I hope it does.

If anyone has a different browser please try it.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2009, 08:59:12 PM »

Ive looked at your page in both IE6 and Firefox/3.0.5
IE6
Mouse over shows the name of the plant as tool tip text.

Firefox/3.0.5
Name doesn't show as in IE6
However if I right click and view properties, it says
e.g. Alternate Text: Phlox paniculata Harlequin
Which I have to add is an interesting plant!
Oddly, some images don't show in Mozilla Firefox.
The entire columns 4 doesn't show.
Row 2, Image in columns 2 and 3 are missing
Similarly for rows 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14
Ive clicked Reload twice.
Now heres the odd bit. If an image is not shown, I would expect Alt-text to show in its place.
It doesn't. Those positions are blank
Right clicking n the "missing images" give me things like View source, but no alt text (i.e. looks like page properties rather than image properties)
Now (like you) I'd like to hear from others with Firefox.

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:10:51 PM »

Hmm

Could you try this page which has 3 columns of pictures please George.

http://www.lynandmalc.co.uk/campanulas.htm

Malcolm

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:15:33 PM »

I see visitors to our website

1% use Firefox 2
8% use Firefox 3

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2009, 10:29:44 PM »

All present and correct Malcolm
8 rows of 3

Same effect with the Alt as described for the page with 4 columns

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #22 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:34:44 PM »

Have now put the Phlox into 3 columns, should now display the pictures ok, but have no answer for the alt yet.

Malcolm

ideasguy · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2009, 11:41:43 PM »

Photos are exactly the same in both browsers now Malcolm.
It could be that my Firefox browser is out of date. It tells me there is a newer version.

Lyn and Malcolm · « **Reply #24 on:** October 07, 2009, 08:49:23 AM »

The reason for not displaying the alt in Firefox is put down to incorrect use of the alt. $:-\$

If the "alt" is replaced by "title" or uses both attributes then the text will be displayed ok in firefox.
Will put some more code in that Phlox page later for you to try please.

Malcolm