HUD's Web Publication Procedures and Style Guide

Section 5: Rules About Files

A. HTML Coding: HUD's templates are designed to handle a wide range of web page design requirements. In rare cases, you may need to work with the HTML code of a web page in order to display the content cleanly and correctly. If you work with the HTML code, the page must continue to meet all standards and requirements in this document, with particular emphasis on the accessibility (Section 508) requirements.

B. JAVA And Javascript: If JAVA and JavaScript are used, the page must remain Section 508 compliant and work across all platforms and web browsers. In addition, the web page must be coded in such a way that it will still function even if a visitor has disabled JAVA and JavaScript on the web browser. Do not use any scripting or tagging technologies - client- or server-side - other than those provided in HTML and by the standard templates. Using that kind of technology qualifies the page(s) as an application, which is subject to the HUD application development and release process.

C. File Names: All web page files should have short, meaningful names.

1. Long titles should be abbreviated. For example, the "local homeless assistance agencies" web page has a file name of hmlsagens.cfm.
2. Known acronyms can be utilized in the name.
3. When selecting a name, consider how the name may be perceived. People do look at URLs and may misinterpret the meaning or intent of a file name.
4. All file and folder names should be alphanumeric.
5. Spaces cannot be used in a name, and you should not use underscores or hyphens.

D. Case: Web page file names are case sensitive. When you are entering a web page address in a browser, you must enter the address in the correct case (lower case, upper case or a combination). To avoid any confusion or problems, all file names and folder names on HUD's Internet and intranet sites are in lower case.

Do use: morereleases.cfm
Don't use: MoreReleases.CFM

E. File Name Extensions:

• Internet: All new web pages created with Dreamweaver must have an extension of .cfm. Any existing web pages that are not yet converted (mainly older program and support office pages) have an extension of .html.
  
  Do use: index.cfm
  Don't use: index.html
  
  
• Intranet: All web pages created in the hud@work template rolled out May 1, 2005 must have a .cfm extension.

F. Folder Names: Use clear and concise names to label the folders in which the web page files are stored.

Do use: volunteering
Don't use: federalvolunteerprograms

G. Naming Your First Page: The first page or "front page" of your section should be named "index.cfm." (both Internet and intranet).