The Internet has placed at our fingertips the ability to communicate with others, disseminate information, and celebrate the search for knowledge. All of this can be accomplished with a few clicks of a mouse.
The Internet has placed an incredible amount of information throughout the world, as a result, the internet has become the portal to this storehouse of knowledge on the information superhighway. Information throughout the world is connected by groups of computers and computer systems. The World Wide Web is accessible to anyone with a computer, cable or phone modem. As a result almost anyone can access the Web from the, home, school, office, public place or scout hall. What this translates to in the scouting community is that our leadership as well as the scouts we serve must have access to the most modern and up to date information.
The impact of information technology on today’s society will have as great an influence as moveable type had on the Renaissance. Scouts enthusiastically embrace the multi-sensory capabilities of the Web. The real trick is to develop a way that allows individuals to express themselves creatively and at the same time to solve the problem of communication in a multimedia world. Scouting is a program that will develop highly marketable skills that will transfer into the workplace thus ensuring future success.
The benefits of a Web page are numerous. All rank advancements and merit badges can be tracked. All memos of upcoming events could be posted or emailed allowing all of the scouting family to stay informed. The accomplishments of both scouts and scouters can be highlighted and saved as tools for future scouts to reference. Scouter can have an email communication link which is separate from work and home. Lastly, Internet access provides a tremendous variety of resource for scouts as well as scouters because shared network access makes it possible to share files and other resources.
This document is an attempt to create a guide for web site development that units wishing to tap into the possibilities of information technology will find useful. It is practical in nature and informative to both the novice as well as the experienced scouts and scouters.