(The previous status update can be viewed here.)

Ring Checker!
Last week, 03/10/2000, we launched the management portion of the Ring and Queue Checker and asked everyone to take a look at how it works and decide what automatic featues to register for. Today, 03/17/2000 we are launching the Checker reporting and automatic Checker features! See last week's status report for a more complete description of the Checker.

Checker Update 3/18/2000!
The checker was mis-configured on 3/15-3/17 to require ALL navigation elements for a site to be considered valid (next, previous, skip, skip previous, next5, list, home, and random). While these are the usual navigation commands, we have realized for a long time that not all rings use all commands. The checker has been re-configured to require ONLY next *and* either list or next5. If the ring has a custom fragment, with additional navigation commands required, then the commands in the custom fragment are used. The less strict checking was begun on 3/18/2000, so you should check back if your ring was checked recently.

Ring/Queue Checker Details
We're now checking all rings weekly. The results of these checks are always available in Ring Management (see "Automated Management"), and by email if you (RingMaster) wish it.

In addition we offer automatic Ring and Queue management with the new Checker. RingMasters can choose to have Sites automatically notfied, and even moved between Ring and Queue, when the Checker determines that a Site's HTMLfragment is valid (moves from Queue to Ring) or invalid (moves from Ring to Queue). As an alternative to automatically moving Sites, RingMaster's can opt to only send email advisories to themselves and Members.

As mentioned above, each ring is crawled weekly. Which day of the week your ring is crawled can vary from week to week, but should remain fairly constant. The Checker report always indicates when the ring was examined by the Checker.

Upcoming Changes

• Adopt-a-Ring
  A revised Adopt-a-Ring program is nearly complete. We'll be launching this feature shortly after the Ring Checker. The new Adopt-a-Ring program will feature a directory of adoptable Rings and a registration system that prospective RingMasters can use to apply for adoption.
  
  
• Abandoned Ring Checking
  We get numerous emails from Members indicating that particular Rings may have been abandoned. Until now we've had to check each of these complaints by hand. Soon we'll be launching an automated system that will regularly check each Ring to see that it hasn't been abandoned. This will enable us to know when Rings aren't being managed so they can be put up for adoption.
  
  

• Site Re-Design
  We are currently working on a new Site design that will provide a consistent and easy to use format for all pages within WebRing. We're focusing first on the WebRing Directory and Search systems. In addition to a new look we are working on a revised directory structure with more categories. This will help visitors find Rings faster, and will allow RingMasters to place their Ring in the most appropriate location within WebRing.
  
  

• Support
  Our support form has been in need of an upgrade for some time. We pride ourselves on responding quickly to requests for assistance. We wish to make this the best online service available. So, we are developing a comprehensive Expert System based support system. With a few selections and questions we hope to either solve/answer your questions immediately, or take you directly to the part of the WebRing system you're looking for. In case that fails, we'll have all the information we need to respond to your request directly.
  
  

Any ideas for improving WebRing can be emailed to the Member Support Form. As always, we appreciate your input.

The WebRing Team

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