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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 1

6/7/2016

THE OFFICE OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (OWM)

Our Website is Getting a New Look

BETA Launch is Here!

Byline: Isabel Chavez and Linda Crown

The White House has ordered all public federal websites to make the transition to a secure and significant 

credible enterprise-level-web content management system. By migrating from the CommonSpot content 

management system (CMS) to Drupal (CMS) NIST will be in compliance and would be able to serve 

effectively and efficiently the American Public.

The site was constructed to smoothen the browsing experience and boost the mobile interfaces for its 

millions of annual visitors. This concept is more important than ever as more and more devices access 

webpages with more diverse capabilities and screen sizes. For example, the major factor for the minimalist 

layout and/or design of the new site is so customers will be able to browse from a tablet or mobile device. 

NIST BETA launch of our new Drupal web site was released on May 31, 2016. This BETA launch is the first 

phase of a long-term effort to unify NIST’s web pages with a secure, modern look and functionality. 

What does BETA launch mean?

The BETA launch means that the Drupal site will be accessible to an external audience (the public). It will 

give our external audience the chance to comment and provide feedback on the new site. We will add a 

link to the Drupal site from the top of the current http://www.nist.gov website (first option for access to 

the BETA site). At the same time, the current CommonSpot site will remain as the NIST primary website 

while we continue to make improvements based off of customer feedback.

There are multiple ways to get to the OWM main webpage; however, in this examples. Let’s begin at 

the the Office of Weights and Measures webpage at: http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/index.cfm. From 

this webpage, you will notice a top banner with the option to visit the BETA site. If you choose to visit the 

BETA site, the button will connect to you the BETA version of the NIST homepage. 

Now, let me explain what major changes you will see in those pages.
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 2

1. Click on the button “View the beta site,” or you can use the following URL:

https://www2.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures. 

(Note: This is a temporary link while in BETA version.)

You are now on the new BETA version of the NIST main webpage. (Note: For smartphones, tablets, 

monitors, etc. with a smaller screen size (less than 20 inches), the page will render differently. Please 

see page 8 for that view.)

2. Click on “Services and Resources.”

3. Click on “Office of Weights and Measures.” 

You are now on the OWM homepage.
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 3

4. To browse within the OWM 

webpages (test site: 

https://www2.nist.gov/pml/weights

-and-measures), you will need to use 

the left column as your guide (menu). 

This column is visible on most pages 

with the exception of the “Training 

Event” pages.

5. “Publications” menu will include 

NIST Handbooks, NIST Special 

Publications, Internal Reports (NISTIR), 

Metric Publications and NCWM 

Annual Reports. 

6. Plus Sign (+) = means that there is 

a drop down sub-menu underneath.

7. The Metric (SI) System is under the “Programs” Menu (below).
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 4

8. All “Topics Areas” were moved to their respective program, for example “Packaging and Labeling” 

is under Programs → Laws → Packaging and Labeling.

9. “Resources” and “Of Interest” are under the “Resources” Menu.

10. “OWM Calendar of Events” enable a search for OWM learning events in three ways.

a. On the middle of the page you will see a snapshot of current “Events”; this lists the next three 

to four events coming up. 

b. By clicking on “View More Events” (right side of the calendar) link, it will take you to all OWM 

web events. 

c. About OWM includes the staff Directory and the old “Calendar of Events” format.
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 5

Now, don’t you want to see how it looks right now? You don’t need to wait any longer! The pictures on 

pages 6 and 7 gives a comparison of what used to be and what will be in the OWM website.
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 6

Old version with (CommonSpot) New Version with Drupal

Please take this opportunity to make use of the “Provide Feedback” button at the top of the web page. Let us know what you think about the 

redesign. Is it user friendly? Can you view the content on your mobile device? We are waiting to hear from you. 

We hope this might help you navigate and understand the new site. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to Isabel Chavez at 

e-mail: isabel.chavez@nist.gov or respond by phone: (301) 975-2128.
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Weights and Measures Connection, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Page 7

The NEW NIST Website as viewed with a Smaller Monitor

NIST Homepage View

1. Select “NIST 

Menu.”

This will expand to a 

drop-down menu as 

seen below.