Web site gets its 'dazzle'

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Extra features and video posted by 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs personnel have enhanced information available for Web users in anticipation of Air Force Week Salt Lake City, June 1-7.

Staff Sgt. Jason Burton, 75th ABW Public Affairs specialist and Air Force Week Web site coordinator, said Web site users can find such new features as a video introduction, a navigation menu, a countdown to the opening ceremony for Air Force Week and another menu for daily events -- all using Macromedia Flash.

"Visitors can expect to find the most up-to-date information regarding Air Force Week Salt Lake City and a full schedule and breakdown of the events that will take place during Air Force Week." He added, "There will also be links to Air Force Week-related news, photos and video, and of course, a link to the culminating event of the week, the Hill Air Force Base Open House and Air Show.

"Flash is a very time-intensive program to use as a Web site is created," Burton said. He credits Rhonda Elmore, another 75th Public Affairs specialist, with getting the basic Web site up and running.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the work she did or the support of my supervisor in giving me the time."

What if someone wants to find out more information about a particular event?

"There is a page for every day of Air Force Week. Each page has a chronological list of the events that will take place that day. All information we currently have for that event will be posted and will be updated," Burton said.

Hotlines are another way potential visitors can get information about events during Air Force Week. The hotline will list only the events which are open to the general public. A menu system will feature the choice of a date and then the events for that day. Included in that recording will be the Web site address so anyone can go online and get additional information. The hotline for Air Force Week Salt Lake is 1-877-391-AFSL. It is up and running and will be updated as needed. The hotline for the Air Force Open House and Air Show is 1-877-717-SHOW and it should be up and running early next week.

Burton encourages frequent visits to the Web site as events near. "Some of the events could be subject to some change as we approach June 1 (due to updates)."

Elmore says of the Web site, "The last time we did something close to this was in 2006 (an Air Force Air Show). The Web site was still in its original html form then."

"The directive came from the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs division (to get this up and running)," Elmore said.

"My purpose was to get the Web site up so there was something there that people could go to and get the information about Air Force Week," she said. "We use AFPIMS now. You can't use html or use such things as 'gif' attachments with it. That's where Jason came in. He's the one that added the dazzle to it -- the Flash."

Burton, while modest about the extra features, did add that the part he enjoyed the most or was most satisfied with was producing the introductory video. "Public Affairs is not yet trained in video production, and I had never done that before."

He said it took the most time, but it sounds as though he was a willing and eager student. "I pretty much taught myself."

All in all, "this was an inspirational task because it was something unique," he said of the work he was able to do with the Web site.

Interactive features from Macromedia Flash allow the addition to Web sites of such things as interactive maps, animation and video. While most users would not notice it off-hand, it does open up a whole new range of possibilities in getting across information to Web site visitors.

The Web site address is http://www.airforceweek.af.mil/.