com 585

2006-02-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

Week 7 Readings

The focus of these readings is the new role of the internet and how to meet expectations of users and industry.

Web 2.0: Mistaking the Forest for the Trees?
The author of this article seems to think that the definition of Web 2.0 is not clear. However, it is pretty simple. Previously, the web and applications had been separate. People went to web pages to read information and used applications to perform tasks like managing a project. While you could download software from a web page, the application was distinct from the web page it was found on. Web 2.0 bridges that gap in the name of usability. Now, for example, instead of having to install a program to listen to music or watch a video, simply click on a link and watch and listen straight from the webpage. When David Rogers says "Web 2.0 is really about users" he would be correct. Closing the gap between web and application is in response to that focus.

1:1: Information Design in Technical Communication: Planning a Web Project

I singled this article out because the others are focused on design theories discussed in previous readings. I'm going to narrow it down further to the section that explains roles because this, specifically, is new information and could help our class teams define roles for the final project. Recognition is given in this article to overlapping responsibilities and the importance of gathering different perspectives. Also, when there are disagreements, it is important to review - together - the site's overall objectives and priorities. Both are note-worthy advice/points.

Project Manager
Primary responsibilities:

Writes high-level functional specifications
Makes sure project achieves objectives
Gathers user requirements
Designs site hierarchy
Manages budgets and schedules
Coordinates workflow
Communicates problems/concerns to management

Designer
Primary responsibilities:

Manages visual aspects of the site
Creates early prototypes for evaluation
Develops navigation aspects of the site
Maintains common visual themes and styles across the site
Incorporates visual themes and styles from parent site, if applicable
Contributes to functional and technical specifications
Contributes to site hierarchy designs

Developer
Primary responsibilities:

Writes detailed technical specifications
Recommends appropriate technologies bases on functional specifications
Develops the site
Maintains the server hosting the site

Usability Engineer
Primary responsibilities:

Coordinates audience analysis
Performs usability testing on prototypes and final designs
Recruits appropriate users for testing
Collects and reports data
Recommends changes to design
Contributes to functional specification
Contributes to user requirements

Writer
Primary responsibilities:

Develops content for the site
Defines relationships (links) between content
Contributes to functional specification
Contributes to site hierarchy designs
Editor
Primary responsibilities:
Ensures content is consistent in style and voice across the site
Checks site content for grammatical and spelling errors
Ensures terminology is used consistently across the site
Ensures content meets user requirements
Defines categories for information
Contributes to site hierarchy designs

Tester
Primary responsibilities:

Tests links across content
Tests full functionality of user interface
Tests content and functionality on multiple platforms
Tests content and functionality on multiple browsers and versions

2006-01-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

Week 5 The commonalities between this week's readings are almost too easy - sorting cards and the Gestalt theory. My method has always been to build all the pages and group them (digitally)into folders. Then, build the menu system based, usually, on my own organizational ideas, doing a group break-down of the groupings or merely soliciting feedback once it is done. The card sorting idea was interesting - much more interactive than a white board session. The idea is to write down content that will be on the site on cards. Then, group like content together. Instead of building navigation as a group, each individual sorts out cards containing content by themselves. This is a more real-life navigation scenario because that is usually how someone will make their way through a website. They would rarely have a group behind them to influence their moves. I'll definitely have to try that!

Unlike the previous articles, which presented the Gestalt theory, these ones directly tied it to Web design. Until this week, I had thought of that particular theory as a way to think about images. For example, the Gestalt rule of proximity indicates that items close together are perceived as being related/associated. I had somehow missed part of the point and assumed that "items" meant "images." I hadn't thought about navigation in terms of that theory.

A third "ah ha" I drew from these readings is the importance of navigation for advertisers on your site. An easy to follow and intuitive navigation schema would be a great selling point for them. Christina Wodtke closes her article with a strong point, "a user's inability to find an item means lost sales, damaged brand perception and annoying calls to customer service. Getting it right the first time means profitability. "

2006-01-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

The HCI principles relate to the Gestalt Theory in that both recognize the importance of patterns. HCI recognizes the importance of designing an interface that is consistent in sequences of actions, color and terminology. Gestalt provides a base for this design by stating inherent recognizable patterns - things that people naturally group together. With the Gestalt Theory in mind, it is also easier to prevent errors, which is HCI's third principle of design. Understanding groupings and patterns that are naturally recognized by the average user, one can better predict where errors could occur. Some patterns are learned, however. Each of HCI's principles will help guide the user throughout the site with as little a learning curve and reduced number of errors as possible.

2006-01-16T00:49:00.000-08:00

How do standards impact our ability as communicators to reach our target audiences? When (why) might we chose to deliver information that does not conform with standards?

stan·dard
"Something, such as a practice or a product, that is widely recognized or employed, especially because of its excellence."

That being the definition of standard, I suppose the main reasons for choosing not to deliver information that does not conform with standards would be a disagreement over what is excellent and the inability to wait for standards to receive stamps of approval from involved parties. The development of the internet and other technological advancements move at a pace that is impossible for the mediating companies and organizations to keep up with. Just when a standard is set in stone an improvement of that very standard is developed. Although industry recognizes the importance of standardization, especially in technology, intense competition between companies is inherent in this day and age. Each company, developer, engineer etc. wants to be one step ahead of their competitors and, with that said, one step ahead of standardization. They can't wait for new standards to make their way through the negotiation, approval and documentation process of governing entities. However, standard do play a major role in fast development of new technologies by providing a foundation to build upon. Great writers, for example, would never be able to produce amazing novels and stories were it not for the basics of language they learned in elementary school.

2006-01-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

My long-term vision for this projects is one that incorporates all our strengths and interests as well as builds skills in areas of weakness or inexperience. We are supposed to be learning, right?!! Teammates will contribute their current skill sets as well as gain experience in areas of interest and/or weakness. The ideal project for our class will be creative and include interactive media and journalism.

Here is a cool non-profit website that tells a story of sorts - ground zero. Would go with Brian's idea of sharing Seattle stories and/or Meg, Drew and Andrea's idea for sharing immigration experiences. Provides ideas for multimedia and journalism opportunities:

http://www.projectrebirth.org/

Here's another award-winning non-profit site with interesting design/layout.
http://www.worldcitizenguide.com/index2.html

This is a good resource for best practices, ideas and examples:
http://thebestpractice.com/

2006-01-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

I really like the idea of helping a non-profit. If we could find one that helps form communities for immigrants, that would be perfect! I agree that this would be a good opportunity to bring in all many of the skill-groups in the class as well as collectively build some new ones. I would also be interested in perusing the Greenlake idea. I think it will be a fun project, which also utilizes the variety of skill-sets in the group, has lots of room for exploring new technologies and building experiences.

2006-01-10T19:26:00.000-08:00

Three cheers for teamwork! Here I thought it was just me that found project management difficult! Thomas Erickson helps out by coming out and stating how complicated a simple project can be and offers basic structure and lingo to help provide a foundation for future endeavors. Thanks, Mr. Erickson!

I had also always assumed that "the audience" was the end users - only. It was interesting to see the audience branched off into the design team, users and organization. I found myself branching off that further, especially the organization bit. It would be interesting to see how Erickson would prioritize these audiences and how that affects the design process he puts forth in his notes. From what I've learned through different projects is that executive approvals are the first on everyone's minds when thinking about design. Then, figuring out how to use that design to improve the user experience is second. Although he doesn't mention it, I bet this is where a lot of the confusion involved with the Exploratory stage.

Another statement Erickson made that is really basic, but for some reason has not been obvious to me as I struggle through project is identifying the problem before starting to plan. I can see that bit of advice preventing tangents that are common during the exploratory and refinement stages.

2006-01-10T19:00:00.000-08:00

1. Project management skills - meeting deadlines (myself and getting others to), prioritize, delegating work, time management and planning.

2. Graphic design - structure vs. Aesthetics, best practices for layout

3. Information design - what kind of information to include, how to bring attention to it, language and navigation.

Based on my experience, I happily take on some of the web design and coding work. As a stretch, project manager for part of our assignment (s) would be a role I would be willing to take on. Although it compromises a majority of the work I do for my job, I really need to focus on building experience in this area so that my projects are more productive and on time.

There isn't really a role I wouldn't be interested in. I can use any experience as either a contributor or project manager that I can get.