Web master redesigns University Internet site
Campus Times
March 12, 1999
Jason Smith, who came to the University of La Verne in December, has
since worked at improving the school's internet site as its new web master.
In the short time he has been at ULV, Smith has renovated the school's web site and programmed various databases.
But he has not been educated, nor has he studied, in the field of computer
sciences.
"I have a BFA (bachelor of fine arts) in fine arts and painting,"
said Smith. "I had no desire to learn computer sciences or even find
a job doing such.
"I didn't even start to use computers until I was a junior at Fullerton
College. I was introduced to a word processor program, and that is when
my interest began to build."
This interest grew when Smith witnessed how some programs related to
art. Therefore, after receiving his master's degree in the art field, he
freelanced web site design until he was hired by the Com-Works firm as a
software programmer.
"I really did not know what I was doing. I used what I knew artistically
and that was about it. I learned most of the stuff I know now through experience
and a lot of reading," Smith said.
He continued his career at Com-Works until he learned of an available
position at ULV. He applied and was hired as part of the academic computing
staff, where he has since been busy.
"I tried to go around to each department and get a feel for how
they wanted their section set up. It is kind of hard with so many views
to find a mold to set each section in," he said.
Making the University's web site easy to understand and pleasing to
each department is just one of many responsibilities for Smith.
"This job does not just directly involve the world wide web. It
requires knowledge of many things," Smith said. "I must know visual
design, print layout, technicalities, database use, understand operating
systems, and at the same time be an information-architect. I am also kind
of like the guy with duct tape, I fix a lot of things.
"I try to envision who my audience is and try to program and design
what they want," he said.
Smith does not only believe he is making progress at ULV, but progress
in chipping away at computer giants such as Microsoft. The University features
free downloadable databases for which companies such as Microsoft usually
charge potentially thousands of dollars.
"I believe companies like Microsoft will be non-existent in the
near future as the web has made it more accessible for people to access
free software," he said. "Over half of the internet is run on
a free database. This like that will bring down these corporations. I think
my part is very small."
The plans Smith has for ULV are not small, as he would like to introduce
new software and databases into its labs. Smith also said he is interested
in teaching.
Smith's first love is art, and he said that if the opportunity to teach
arose and he could teach an art program, he would seize it. For the time
being, Smith's concentrations are set on his work. He said he loves what
he does and enjoys seeing new things each day.
"I think that technology will be ever changing and new," Smith
said. "I think the future of computers at ULV will be good and I am
glad I am part of it."
