Web Services

2026 Web Services Conference recording and resources

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:28:39 +0000

Couldn't make this year's Web Services Conference? Wanted to watch more than one session in the same timeslot? Loved it so much that you want to relive it? We've got you!

Improving WMS reliability: what Azure Front Door means for you

Thomas Fline — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:23:45 +0000

Over the past year, the WMS has faced increasing pressure from automated web traffic, mostly generated by bots used for AI training. After a major outage last year, we implemented a temporary solution using our existing on‑premises systems.

From 61 terms to one shared language: Building content structure in our digital ecosystem

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:54:46 +0000

If you ask ten people across ɬ�﷬ to explain what a “program” is, you’re likely to get ten slightly different answers.

This isn’t about a lack of knowledge or experience, it reflects how information has evolved across the institution over time.

How these differences came about

These variations are the result of decades of organic growth, faculty‑specific structures, system constraints, accreditation requirements, and inherited terminology. Over time, different parts of our institution developed their own language to describe similar academic concepts.

SUP with that? An inside view of the Student Usability Panel experience

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:31:56 +0000

We had a terrific time catching up with Cédric Gravel-Switzman, one of the graduating members of our Student Usability Panel (SUP).

Meet the rockstar speakers presenting at the 2026 Web Services Conference

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:52:26 +0000

This year, in addition to the usual suspects, the annual ɬ�﷬ Web Services Conference has a lineup of standout guest speakers from across the higher ed web and digital comms community.

Babe, wake up, new Web Services Conference just dropped

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Tue, 12 May 2026 22:09:25 +0000

All ɬ�﷬ website managers and editors are on ✨ the list ✨ for our half-day virtual event packed with juicy updates and practical tips.

Hear from your favourite website whisperers in ɬ�﷬ Communications and IT, plus a lineup of standout guest speakers from across the higher ed digital community.

Why ɬ�﷬’s websites can be hard to navigate, and what we’re doing to fix it

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:47:10 +0000

We often hear from students and staff that navigating ɬ�﷬’s websites can raise more questions than answers.

Across ɬ�﷬’s digital ecosystem, information isn't always consistent, predictable, or easy to connect. The same concept may be described differently on a faculty site, a central service page, or a system‑generated listing. In some cases, key terms mean different things depending on where you encounter them.

For website visitors, this creates confusion. For staff, it creates extra work and operational challenges.

Bring your call-to-action blocks to the dark side

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:30:22 +0000

A dark option is available for both layout and global call-to-action (CTA) blocks:

Layout blocks: Find the control in the Style field.
Global blocks: Find the control under Theme support when configuring the block.

How to create blocks in the new WMS (IT Knowledge Base)

Make your pages pop with heroic image blocks

charly.blais@mcgill.ca — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:23:56 +0000

Hero blocks in the new WMS are more powerful than ever!

Grab your cape and vibranium shield. Hero blocks allow you to add a large, high-impact image to the top of your homepage that will fill or nearly fill the screen, providing an immersive experience your user will marvel at.

Lessons from our 2025/26 Student Usability Panel

joyce.peralta2@mcgill.ca — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:56:24 +0000

As the Student Usability Panel (SUP) wraps up its second year, building an even stronger foundation, it's value is clearer than ever. Our ongoing conversations give us deeper insight into student needs, inform better digital decisions, and sustain meaningful student engagement.