About EDITdirect

Building a community around directory services
EDITdirect allows publishers to develop a complex directory of 'members', which is indexed and easily searched. In addition EDITdirect has a series of modules which allow publishers to build a community amongst its members and registered users. EDITdirect allows them to post news, vacancies, documents and other material.

The database at the heart
At the heart of the EDITdirect system is a database which is structured using a number of different tables or groups of characteristics for a single entity, e.g. a company's products, services, experience and locations; a resort's climate, social and historic characteristics, a hotel's facilities, offers and services.

Publishers can create any number of tables each with its own list of keywords. For example, the engineering directory FIDICdirect has tables listing services, specialisations and countries where the consultancy has worked. The keywords in the tables can be added or deleted to suit the wishes of the members. Members fill in their entry by selecting the appropriate key words in each table. There are also facilities for entering free text to describe other characteristics.

Searching
The search facility allows for specific characteristics represented by keywords to be selected, providing a more comparative and detailed response to the user. For example, you might ask of a hotel directory "Please identify all hotels in Avignon with a swimming pool and good view". The EDITdirect search will produce a list of all hotels with that meet those criteria.

In addition a free text search will search on all the participants websites ranking the findings as required.

Permissions
The database is structured so that different groups can have different levels of access. Typically the publisher's editorial team would be able to edit all material and publish it to the web, members would be able to edit their entries and use the community tools, registered users would be able to use some of the community tools. General visitors would be able to see some but not all of the content of the site.

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Inputting data
The system is designed so that several members can input data at the same time and at any time of the day. The publisher can maintain editorial control over all or part of the data being entered by members either before publication or retroactively afterwards.

Sizing, proofing and printing
If a directory is to be published in print it is important to control the amount of data being posted as it will need to fit the parameters of the printed page. An algorithm is used to identify how much text has been entered and this information is provided for the members so that they can adjust their entries. The system can allow for different sizes of entry - for example quarter page, half page or full page.

Members can view how their entry will look on the web and in print. They can then make changes if appropriate before sending entries for publication. The system allows the publisher to proof read the entry quickly and easily.

The publisher can use EDITdirect to create a file containing all the entries, paginated and indexed ready for commercial printing. Once the software has been written to convert the entries on the web into the print format it takes about an hour to produce a pdf file of a directory ready.

Community Development
In order to develop a community between publisher, members and registered users of the site. EDITdirect has developed a number of modules that can be used by those that have the relevant permissions - 'editors'. The publisher retains rights to edit or delete items uploaded by other classes of editors.

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News module
The news module allows editors to publish news items on the web. Editors give a title, synopsis and the text. Editors can index the news item under relevant categories to be searched. After a period of time the news item is archived for future reference if necessary.

Events module
The events module allows editors to publish events on the web. Editors give title, programme, location, dates and times. The event is automatically archived after the event has occurred.

Vacancies module
The vacancies module allows editors to publish vacancies on the web for a predetermined period of time. EDITdirect is currently developing a matching service between job offers and job seekers.

Publications module
The publications module allows editors to upload publication files to the website in PDF, Excel or Word format. These files can be downloaded by other community members.

Preferences selection
Registered users and members are able to specify the areas of interest so that when they log into the site they see news items, vacancies and events in areas of particular interest.

Weekly update
The website automatically sends out an email to all registered users and members an update of items that meet their preferences. For example, registered users who are looking for a particular type of vacancy will receive an email update each week with the headlines of any vacancy which fits their profile of preferences.