Cascade Help

To make sure that our editors and publishers across campus are working with the same foundational knowledge, we've created two courses you must complete before you gain access to Cascade. 

• Accessibility Training. Olemiss.edu should be accessible to all of our users regardless of how they navigate the web. Our accessibility training makes sure that you know of different accessibility standards (from screen readers to color contrasts) so that we reach as many users as possible. 
• Cascade Training. Cascade is a unique Content Management System (CMS)—and operates very differently from Wordpress (our previous system). Cascade Training will show you the ropes with the new CMS and give you a crash course writing and publishing for the web. 

Once you've completed this training, you'll request access to Cascade and get to work building out and updating your pages. 

A website is built with pages that interlink together. Your page or pages will be a part of the larger olemiss.edu, like a page in a choose-your-own-adventure book. 

If you're ready to create content (and start your own adventure), here are some pages to help you out. 

• Creating New Pages. Pages are where everything comes together for the user. Learn how to properly create pages and make sure they are in the correct folder. 
• Addings Links. Links help guide users to relevant information, create logical associations, and build ecosystems of knowledge. They also help search engines understand your page exists in relation to the rest of olemiss.edu and to any other page you link out to. Learn how to set up and style your links correctly in Cascade.
• Uploading Files. Need to upload an image, pdf, or Word Doc to you page? See the step-by-step process and review the rules of the road for adding media to a Cascade page.
• Creating a Folder. Everything in the backend of Cascade is held in folders, they hold the pages and the other digital assets you'll use in your pages. 

Putting a page together is easy. Keeping it fresh, moving it in the asset tree, collaborating with other partners across campus? That's the hard stuff. 

Don't worry, we've got everything you need to cross your t's and dot your lower case j's. 

• Renaming Page and Files. A rose by any other name? Not exactly. Renaming pages and files in Cascade can have a number of cascading effects. If you need to rename things, we can walk you through the process so it all works out.
• Moving Pages and Assets. Sometimes you might realize that a page or an asset should live someplace else. Before you start moving things around, learn how to keep all the links and connections in the right place. 
• Deleting Pages and Assets. Before you hit delete, make sure it's the right move. This guide walks you through how to responsibly remove pages and files in Cascade—covering everything from checking relationships to setting up redirects. Learn how to avoid breaking links, consolidate content thoughtfully, and even restore assets if needed.
• Tasks and Comments. Tasks and comments in Cascade make collaboration easy. Use tasks to assign updates or track progress across pages, and drop comments directly on a page to discuss specific elements. Cascade keeps everyone in the loop with automatic email notifications for both.
• Workflows and Publishing. Cascade is about collaboration. To get your page online, you'll have to push it through a workflow. When that happens a publishers may ask you to make changes or take a second look at something. Don't sweat it, it's just part of the process. Learn more about workflows and publishing. 
  
  

When building pages for olemiss.edu there are best practices (things you should probably do) and web standards (rules you must follow). Both best practices and web standards can take your pages to the next level and help olemiss.edu function properly while still looking good. 

• Consider your Audience. Olemiss.edu has a diverse audience with a wide range of needs. Make sure you're thinking about your audience and meeting them where they're at. 
• Writing for the Web. Page organization should be the top of your to-do list. A disorganized page not only cause frustration, but it will also increase bounce rate (i.e., users leaving the page). Learn the best ways to design your page. 
• Keyword Research and Search Engine Optimization. Optimizing your pages for search engines is another way to say that you're thinking about your audience. Learn how to anticipate their search queries to get your page at the top of organic search results and be the first one in line to help your audience.
• Using Web Photos. Images are one of the first things users notice on olemiss.edu, and they shape perceptions in a split second. The right photo can draw users in and reflect the spirit of campus—while a poor one can do the opposite. This guide will help you choose and prepare images that fit your webpage layout, engage users, and support your message.
• Storing and Updating PDFs. Few things are more frustrating than finding multiple versions of the same PDF online, especially when none are current. Broken document workflows don’t just confuse users—they can also create serious ADA compliance problems. This guide will help you identify, organize, and update PDFs, ensuring your documents are accurate, accessible, and easy to find.