The NEW Google Sites

[TwistedHelixis]

Well I am a bit apprehensive about the impeding New Sites and having to migrate at some point to the newer system. I have just watched the following video and it does look much much better, although I hope they add some of the more advanced features from the old version.

 

[JJonas]

How do I migrate my old site to the new publishing format?

 

-edit- looks like it might only be available if you are part of the preview program

 

Next question: How do I join?

Edited November 10, 2016 by JJonas

[TwistedHelixis]

preview has finished, its going live at the moment for rapid release customers and in a few weeks for everyone else,

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

As far as I know they have not released the migration tools yet, but will do at some point.

[Arthur]

It's available for "everyone" now...

 

G Suite Update Alerts: A totally rebuilt Google Sites—now available to everyone

Edited November 10, 2016 by Arthur

[Arthur]

As far as I know they have not released the migration tools yet, but will do at some point.

From the link above...

 

• In 2017, we’ll provide and recommend options to migrate your sites from the classic Sites to the new Sites.
  
• Beginning in 2018, we’ll send a timeline and instructions regarding the gradual process to shut down the classic Sites. The specific date for the shutdown of the classic Sites has yet to be set, but we’ll inform you at least one year in advance of that shutdown.
  

[enjay]

I didn't know there were changes, but reading about this now, it looks like one of the things they've done is remove page-level permissions - that's a real kick in the teeth for me, as I have an IT support website which is shared to the whole school, containing user guides and so on. Some of the pages in there are definitely staff-only, so if page-level permissions were removed, I'd have to set up a separate site for staff and then presumably duplicate/redirect a ton of pages on the other site.

[TwistedHelixis]

it looks like one of the things they've done is remove page-level permissions - that's a real kick in the teeth for me

 

You should be able to create a copy of the site and delete staff pages etc and then make another copy of the original site and do the opposite, so you end up with 2 or more sites. I did this a few years back and it was painless in the end.

[enjay]

You should be able to create a copy of the site and delete staff pages etc and then make another copy of the original site and do the opposite, so you end up with 2 or more sites. I did this a few years back and it was painless in the end.

 

But then staff would have to refer to two different sites. My site includes user guides, so sections for Google Apps or BYOD are shared to everyone, but pages for SIMS are staff only. There are even some pages within my Google Apps guides which are staff-only, e.g. everyone has a guide about basics in Google Drive, but staff also have instructions on accessing the staff shared folders in Drive.

[rogerdnixon]

I'd not rush to migrate any existing stuff if you need features like page level permissions. They will be coming between now and when the old sites are phased out - not until 2018. We have been using the new sites since early this year and most new stuff is made using them now. Staff find it simple to make cool looking sites and they have been well received. New features have been trickling in over the last few months and will continue to do so until the feature sets are comparable to the old sites. Domain name mapping is another one which will come in time.

[TwistedHelixis]

Just had a play with the 'New' Sites and it is very very basic. Based on other Google product switches, such as Picasa to Photos, I am not holding my breath for many of the 'Old' Sites features to make it in to the 'New' Sites.

[rogerdnixon]

Its meant to be a simple and quick way for users to make effective sites - which it is. Over the past 6 months or so that we have been in the trial, there has been far more engagement from teachers to build their own stuff which end up looking really good. It may look simple - but you can already make a really cool site in a few minutes with little knowledge of web development. There has been a steady introduction of new feature since the initial launch in June/July. Most if not all of the missing features are expected by the end of 2017 (2018 is scheduled for migration of old sites).

[enjay]

Its meant to be a simple and quick way for users to make effective sites - which it is. Over the past 6 months or so that we have been in the trial, there has been far more engagement from teachers to build their own stuff which end up looking really good. It may look simple - but you can already make a really cool site in a few minutes with little knowledge of web development. There has been a steady introduction of new feature since the initial launch in June/July. Most if not all of the missing features are expected by the end of 2017 (2018 is scheduled for migration of old sites).

 

That was my impression looking at the demos of it, too. Clean, slick-looking websites in minutes regardless of ability. Certainly, knowing how you have been using Google Drive and Google Sites to provide shared resources to classes, I think it makes that process easier too. I am wondering if for some teachers it might obsolete Google Classroom too, as the stream can quickly become a bit messy (obviously no homework submission options, but not all teachers use that).

[FN-GM]

Does anyone know how to create a site using the new version? I am trying to create one but it seems to force me to use the old version. Its not turned off in the admin console or anything.

[j224]

Does anyone know how to create a site using the new version? I am trying to create one but it seems to force me to use the old version. Its not turned off in the admin console or anything.

 

Does this link take you to the new version? https://sites.google.com/new

[FN-GM]

Does this link take you to the new version? https://sites.google.com/new

 

Hmmm I get "This service is not yet available for your account"

[j224]

Hmmm I get "This service is not yet available for your account"

 

Does your admin console have Rapid Release turned on? https://support.google.com/a/answer/172177?hl=en

 

I was able to access the new Sites a few mins after turning ours on.

[FN-GM]

ah! no it doesn't. Will try that.

 

Thanks

[FN-GM]

Hello,

 

I didn't turn of rapid release but new sites enabled itself anyway

 

Thanks

[TwistedHelixis]

So has anyone migrated a fully working large scale site from old sites to the new sites yet?

 

I am concerned our school sites will bork after the forced migration next year.