Library Technology Services: UFLib Domains

UFLib Domains offers a quick-start pathway for anyone working in the Libraries to publish digital scholarship, teach with technology, and experiment with new tools. While UFLib Domains is customized for our needs, the Domain of One’s Own platform from Reclaim Hosting is widely used across other universities. Possible projects include:

• Creating a thematic exhibit that draws on multiple digital special collections
• Hosting a conference or special event website
• Building and sharing an online database

Sign up or review community tutorials.

Who can use it?

Anyone employed by the Libraries—staff, faculty, student workers, etc.—may use UFLib Domains. Requests are reviewed to make sure the intended purpose is in scope and to give you a chance to request any needed support. Once you are no longer affiliated with the Libraries, LTS will work with you to transfer your data and close your account.

You may also invite collaborators and students to contribute to your project or website, though you are responsible for monitoring any content they upload. In most cases you will add users through the website platform you have chosen (e.g. WordPress), not through your cPanel.

What are the rules?

Scope

Please avoid creating sites devoted to your individual professional identity (e.g. a site primarily to post your CV) or to personal activities beyond the scope of your research, teaching, or other work at UF. If you plan to create an online textbook, we encourage you to review the PressBooks platform hosted by UF instead of using UFLib Domains. The platform should not be used for department websites or other content appropriate for the main Libraries website (uflib.ufl.edu).

Security & privacy

By using UFLib Domains, you acknowledge that you are affiliated with the University of Florida and that you are responsible for adhering to UFIT, state, and federal policies regarding data security, intellectual property, accessibility, and privacy. You agree that you will not upload any sensitive or restricted data to any site hosted through UFLib Domains. You further acknowledge that only domains ending in “uflib.ufl.edu” may apply UF branding and logos.

UF Information Technology Policies

UF Online/Internet Privacy Statement

As a web hosting platform, UFLib Domains offers almost limitless options for creating and sharing digital scholarship and educational materials. The platform emphasizes self-service and exploration, meaning that LTS is typically not able to create or design websites, databases, etc. unless agreed to as part of a dedicated project.

However, some support is available for the following:

• Routine administration and troubleshooting, e.g. creating accounts, failed updates, limited storage space, adding multiple users to cPanel
• Tutorials and resources for you and your students on commonly used web publishing platforms, including WordPress, Omeka, and Scalar.

Sign up for UFLib Domains

Note: all projects must be from or in collaboration with the Libraries. Graduate students in the DH Certificate program are supported as part of the Libraries commitment to the DH Certificate.

1. Review the UFLibs Domains security and service expectations
2. Go to https://domains.uflib.ufl.edu/.
3. Click the "Get Started" button.
4. Sign in and complete the request form, which LTS will approve (this may take 1-2 days).
5. You will receive a notification when your account is approved. Navigate back to https://domains.uflib.ufl.edu/ and click "Get Started" again.
6. Choose your domain name. This could be your name, the name of a specific program or initiative, etc. Try to choose something general enough that your domain can continue to grow and evolve, potentially with multiple websites and projects.
7. Once confirmed, your domain will be created.

Navigating your dashboard

When your domain is created, you will be automatically redirected to your dashboard, or "cPanel." There are many icons and options explained in depth here, but in most cases you will only need a few of these:

Applications

Most users will need to install an application, usually a "content management system" like WordPress, Omeka, or Scalar. This is a platform that will allow you to more easily publish content and collaborate with other users. UFLib Domains allows for very simple, point-and-click installation. You can choose "All Applications" to review your options; "My Apps" will show you a list of what you have already installed. Note that you may install multiple applications; for instance, some sites may have a WordPress blog that links to an Omeka collection.

Domains

• Click the Domains icon to force your site to use HTTPS for additional security.
• Click the Subdomains icon if you want to create a new part of your site with its own name, such as a blog with the URL blog.yourdomain.domains.uflib.ufl.edu. 

Files

• File Manager is useful for more advanced users who need to edit code within their site or want to manage files directly rather than through a content management system. If you are using Omeka S or Omeka Classic, you will need to access File Manager to install modules and themes.

Security

• You will use Lets Encrypt SSL to set up the security certificate for your site (see Security & Analytics box below).

For every website

Every UFLib Domains URL should start with "https," a more secure way to send data online. This is a one-time, quick change you can make when setting up your site:

1. Log in with your normal credentials through https://domains.uflib.ufl.edu/.
2. Follow the steps to apply enforcing HTTPS.

For WordPress sites

Jetpack

Jetpack offers additional security and basic analytics features, with a free version that should be sufficient for most needs. You will need to create a free WordPress.com account if you don't already have one, but otherwise it is simple to install using the WPAdmin instructions.

Akismet

This anti-spam plugin is automatically installed with WordPress, so you shouldn't need to do anything to make it work. But you might want to double-check that it's there since it will drastically reduce spam, especially for blog sites that allow public comments.

Sample projects include: