Week 6 - Review Websites

WEBSITES

Jjg.net

jjg.net

This is an excellent IA resource center. Review 3 content items of your choice.
1. I enjoyed reading about the workshop Sketch/Design/Make... really all artists that work with marketing and other similar groups make these kinds of storyboards of ideas. These sketches in a storyboard layout are discussed, visualized and worked out by teams of people who are all working together to approve the ideas as final so that the item can come to fruition. It is good to see that even IA's use this technique as well.
2.I liked the language translations available... good to know that this site is being used worldwide. Great access!
3.I didn't like the teeny tiny font used down on the left side...hard to read!!!!!
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Information Architecture Research (Peter Morville, Semantic Studios) http://semanticstudios.com/publications/semantics/000030.php - read Peter's summary of important IA research topics.

Review at least one link from each research topic.

-Metaphors We Surf the Web By by Paul Maglio and Teenie Matlock (1998)

Review:
This article covers the use of language on the web. Click, go, look through search are all metaphors for actions taken on the site that takes the users to the next step in the task they are performing. This verb coding scheme is used inside action or outside action but work for the user to easily move between content and components.

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-An Update on Breadth vs. Depth by Kath Straub and Susan Weinschenk (2003)

Review:
This article is debating the debate over go shallow or deep when it comes to the menu of the site. It is determined that the number of clicks it takes for the user to get from point A to B depending on the task and information the user needs will make the shallow or deep menu debatable. It is preferred to make a the user click as little as possible... rule of thumb less is more....will it be too deep or too broad to the user...effective sub grouping and clear labels of the content intent will help the user best.

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-Faceted Metadata for Image Search and Browsing by Ping Yee, Kirsten Swearingen, Kevin Li, and Marti Hearst (2003)

Review:
This paper describes the two common ways to search images: by keyword or similar to sample images. Hierchal faceted metadata helps generate query previews of images and determined that category based approach is preferable among searchers. I personally type in keyword but I also expect images at the same time

............................................................................

Media 7 is a great site!

This is a real world example of an Information Architecture focused design studio. I love the way this site is laid out. Lots of white space allowing for simple graphics that takes you to the sections they are covering/information.
It's like a portfolio of work he has done...I did notice the marketing struggle like info...love the icons used just below his simple menu on the leftside. The Inspiration page is filled with examples...I like the free images link!

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RELFECTION PAGE - Lesson 6

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"A picture is worth a thousand words"

This weeks readings basically lay out a path to make the transition from all the IA's hard research and strategy building for the design of the site into the actual beginnings of final prototypes and visual lay out of what is going to be made.
Terms like : concrete artifacts, controlled vocabularies and metadata, wireframes, and working prototypes all come into play now. The IA isn't alone in making and finalizing all these decisions. It is best for the IA to set up in person and face to face meetings to discuss "the invisible web" that is unfolding.

The IA will want to provide multiple views of the structure which can be too complex to show all at once. It is easier to break it down into segments and components for the groups of people who are signing off approval to see and understand the pieces that will fit together in the end to make the site.

It is important to develop the various strategic views of the IA structure and it's components for your audience's needs i.e. "communicate upstream for the corporate and stakeholders" that are in the meeting as well as "communicate downstream for designers and developers".

It is best to communicate visually all of the content components by grouping them together into a sequence so it makes sense to whom is viewing at that meeting.
Make connections between content components so that the viewers can visually see how the pages will fit together and how the flow of information will unfold.

The readings recommend that the IA create 'deliverables' and some examples of support layouts were given such as Microsoft's=Viso or Omni Group's OmniGraffle for Mac users
A fascinating site offering different ways to present your IA information.

Blueprints are a great deliverable tool that show relationships between pages and other content components. The rule of thumb is'less is more'. Wireframes are another great deliverable tool which depicts an individual page or template from an architectural perspective such as how to order them or which groups of information have priority. These are the kind of things that the meetings will hopefully help the team determine, approve and sign off on so that the site can begin to be made.
There are some simple guidelines for wireframes such as: consistency, charting tools support background layers, callouts-notes, page numbers, page titles, project titles, last revision date and wireframe steward. Content Modeling determines priority, forces us to choose metadata attributes and encourages following the Pareto Principle of 80-20 rule. Controlled Vocabularies helps you to walk clients through difficult decisions of making the site searchable. A basic Design sketch heps give style to the guide document that explains how the site be organized, show the why's and who it's for. Some basic standards to follow as rules include: rules for maintaining site, some guidelines for the IA about how it should be maintained, as well as maintenance procedures of regular tasks for the survival of the site.

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Week 6 - Lesson 6 Readings & Take Aways

Assigned : READINGS - This week, read Chapters 12 - 13 from the "polar bear" text.

Book: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition, by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld, ISBN 100596527349

CHAPTER 12
(page 291)
Making the transition easy.

Creativity and Design:
(page 292)
concrete artifacts
vocabularies
wireframes
working prototypes

Diagramming:
"invisible web" but present in person face to face

(page 293)
Guidelines to document your Architecture:
1. Provide multiple views of an IA/too complex to show all at once, break it down into segments
2. Develop views for your audience/needs i.e. communicate upstream for corporate/stakeholders....communicate downstream for designers and developers

(page 294)
Communicate visually:
1. Content components/grouped and into a sequence so it makes sense to whom is viewing
2. Connections between content components

Create you own deliverables: Microsofts Viso or Omni Group's OmniGraffle for Mac users
A fascinating site offering different ways to present your IA information.

I bookmarked this site!

(page 295)
Has a great table of deliverables - by different companies...wireframe examples and help

"a picture is worth a thousand words"

(page 296)
Blueprints
Blueprints show relationships between pages and other content components of your IA

(page 297)
Figure 12-1 Has a great illustration of a blueprint (high-level)

(page 299)
Figure 12-4=blueprint outlining greeting card web site Egreetings.com = very nice example to see how this is working.

(page 302)
RULE OF THUMB LESS IS MORE

(Page 307)
Wireframes
They depict an individual page or template from an architectural perspective, how to order them,which groups have priority

(page 308)
Figure 12-11 has a great illustration of wireframe to the greeting card site.

(page 370)
Figure 12-14 has a great image of redesign project for the Egreetings.com/with high level detail. (very helpful these diagrams!)...again... more detail, explanation of the uniqueness of the content

(page 313)
Guidelines for wireframes:
-consistency
-charting tools support background layers
-callouts-notes
-page numbers, page titles, project titles, last revision date
-wireframse steward

(page 323)
A Valuable /Process:
1. Content Modeling determines priority
2. " " forces us to choose metadata attributes
3. " " Pareto Principle 80-20 rule

(page 325)
Controlled Vocabularies
-helps you to walk clients through difficult decison making

(page 326)
-design sketches tool

(page 327)
-/figure 12-23 Basic Design sketch

(page 329)
Style Guides
-style guide document that explains how the site is organized, why, who it's for

(page 330)
-Standards:rules for maintaining site
-Guidelines: IA should be maintained
-Maintenance procedures: reg tasks for site survival

(page 331)
-Pattern library: documents and provides access to reusable aspects of the site's design

**Keep in mind the different audiences that might use the style guide.

CHAPTER 13

Education
Exerience
Apprenticeship
Formal Education
Conferences and seminars
Literature
Communities
News and opinons

REFLECTION PAGE - Lesson 5

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The polar bear text walks us through a detailed plan of action for planning out stratgies for research needed for designing a website. Morville and Rosenfeld account for the major key players that are recommended to take place in order to be successful at designing and creating a website. One of the key starters is of course, Research. Without performing this basic first step, all bets are off and there is no way to tell if what you create for the environment is actually what is needed, desired, meets the customers standards, whether it is the client business or customer user.

The second major key player that follows Research is Strategy. Strategy can take many forms and involve: contextual understanding=top-down perspective, highest two or three levels of site's org and navigational structures//bottom-down perspective document types and a rough metadata schema. Some IA questions and high points should include: goals, the business plan, politics, schedule, budget, audience, why will users want this, types of task needed, how/who will manage this, technical infrastructure, and whats has worked in the past.

The Design can be detailed blueprints, wireframes, metadata schema=graphic designers, programmers, content authors, production team which all come together using heuristic evaluation should discover and be designed to provide mulitiple ways to access the same information,
have indexes and sitemaps that employ and supplement the taxonomy of the site,
a simple and user friendly navigation system that provides users a sense of context,
a consistent use of language that is appropriate for the audience it serves as well as, a search and browse whichj should be integrated and reinforce each other within the site.
Some guidelines to follow:
1. should provide mulitiple ways to access the same information
2. indexes/sitemaps should be employed to supplement the taxonomy
3. navigation system should provide users sense of context
4. should consistently use language appropriate for audience
5. searching and browsing should be integrated and reinforce each other

Implementation should always be done. The designs are put to the test as the site is built, tested and launched. Prototypes can be used as well as Focus Groups.

Administration is the last in the major key players when forming a strategy for IA's to build a site. Generally is involves a continuous evaluation of the site in order to make improvements to the IA/design including tagging, weeding, feedback, as well as are there any opportunities for improvement.

Word Press Expert
WordPress Expert: this site has a simple desing with nice color tones and enough white space balancing the information presented to the user. This site provides great information to improve your blogs.

NYPL Conservation Lab in Action The New Public Library has presented this great video piece on conservation. The site for the library is laid out well with plenty of white space within the real estate with easy to use menus to direct your to sections you may need within the library.

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Lesson 5 - Review Websites

WEBSITES

Boxes and Arrows http://www.boxesandarrows.com/

-Boxes and Arrows is devoted to the practice, innovation, and discussion of design; including graphic design, interaction design, information architecture and the design of business.

-I like the title of the site and the simple minimimalist design and feel of the layout/simple menu at the top when hover before clicking a selection/an arrow shows up very nice... a site where you can submit stories, list/post a bio/forum, events, jobs.

-The side menu is the meat of whats inside the site offers alot of info and education about the many aspects of IA

-nicely done..well organized.. I didn't feel annoyed or frustrated by this site at all

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NewsMap http://www.marumushi.com/apps/newsmap/newsmap.cfm
Does the structure and organization of this site help or hurt the search and navigation process? Okay I think right off visually - hurt! for sure. I am put off immediately by the overdone over the top packed side to side color boxes with text. Quite simply, I don't think it works. The teeny tiny menu at the top is too small of font and there are too many items to read through to decide what they are, do I need to go there?? There is a search field by now though I have already thought I won't use the site, too much work... I also see a Register button and am also discouraged..I don't want yet another login/psswrd... ug!

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Amazon http://amazon.com/ I don't like amazon...I think there is too much different stuff visually on the front page... I only use if for book searches and purchasing something very specific that I know I want and search then browse within that screen then buy.... I don't use amazon to do alot of general browsing...I feel like I might be there for hours....ug!

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Yahoo http://www.yahoo.com/
This site is generally more open feel however, I must say this and even my hotmail account...I don't want to browse here for news or information...I just want to get into my email.
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Google http://www.google.com/ Now google is a little different. I love the white space and the blank search field. Its a breather from the visually overload of searching and reading. I do like the other types of google searches available. I rely on Google for everything. I like that About Google is just a link that will take you to a whole other page that is simple and blocked off in colors.
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Ebay http://www.ebay.com/ I never use Ebay. I don't have enough money to warrant even going there. I did on one occasion use it to search for a particular Tshirt. Page Plant Tour of which I found and bought. It seems straightforward and less overload than amazon

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Week 5 - Lesson 5 Readings & Take Aways

Assigned : READINGS - This week, read Chapters 10 - 11 from the "polar bear" text.

Book: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition, by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld, ISBN 100596527349

CHAPTER 10
(page 231)
Explore the process and methods for creating information architecture.

Graphic designers, software developers, content managers, usability engineers, and other experts.

Agreement on the structured development process.

(page 232)
Early days=HTML code

Figure 10.1 Process of information architecture development
Program:
1 Research
2 Strategy
3 Design
4 Implementation
5 Administration

1. Research phase: review existing background materials
2. Strategy phase: contextual understanding=top-down perspective, highest two or three levels of site's org and navigational structures//bottom-down perspective document types and a rough metadata schema
3. Design phase: detailed blueprints, wireframes, metadata schema=graphic designers, programmers, content authors, production team
4. Implementation phase: designs are put to the test as site is built, tested and launched
5. Administration phase: continuous evaluation, improvement of site's IA, tagging, weeding, feedback, opps for improvement

(page 234)
Research Framework

1. Context=purpose, investigate the business, environment, goals
2. Background research=IA questions-goals, bus plan, politics, schedule, budget, audience, why will users want this, types of task needed, how/who will manage, technical infrastructure, whats worked in the past

(page 236)
3. Strategy mtng=face-to-face meetings, small, informal, ask questions: see above questions

(page 237)
4. Content mngt mtng=owners, mngrs have detailed info/questions, establish rapport
5. Information Technology mtng=system admins who will support the site and questions: how can create metadata registry to support tagging, CMS handle automated categorization of documents

(page 238)
Stakeholders Interviews=opinion leaders open ended questions their assessment of current information environment and vision

Some questions: role of org, vision for competitive advantage, challenges they face, dept's share knowledge, strategies/teams for redesign/maintain

(page 239)
Technology Assessment=what is in place, what is in process, who's available to help, gap analysis/identify any disconnects between business goals, user needs, limitations infrastructure

Content=the stuff in your website, findability precedes usability.

Heuristic Evaluation=resdesigning existing web sites rather than creating new ones

(page 240)
heuristic eval=expert critique test site against formal/informal guidelines

Guidelines:
1. should provide mulitiple ways to access the same information
2. indexes/sitemaps should be employed to supplement the taxonomy
3. navigation system should provide users sense of context
4. should consistently use language appropriate for audience
5. searching and browsing should be integrated and reinforce each other

(page 241)
Content Analysis
-bottom up approach to information
-identify gaps between top down vision and bottom up reality
-informal survey/detailed audit
-page by page content audit
-Noahs Ark approach - checkn by a couple of items at a time

Check on:
-format
-document type
-source
-subect
-existing architecture

(page 242)
law of diminishing returns=when you reach a point when you are not learning anything new

(page 243)
Analyzing Content
Structural metadata=hierchy info of object
Decriptive metadata=think of all the different ways to describe an object, topic, audience, format?
Administrative metadata=describe object as it relates to the business context

** How can I make this object findable?

(page 244)
Benchmarking=informally indicate a point of reference from which to make a comparative measurement/judgement, comparative benchmarking, before/after benchmarking, competitive benchmarking

(page 246)
Users=respondents, visitors, actors, employees, customers, clicks, impressions, advertising, revenues, sales=ulitmate designers of your site

(page 247)
Usage Statisticsgoogle analytics/page information, visitor information=path users trace as they move through a web site=clickstream

Search Log Analysis=Best Bets strategy-looking at search logs provides valuable education for IA's/Metacrawler metaspy=real people are using to search right now

(page 250)
Customer Support Data=feedback from customers, help desk operators, call center reps, librarians, admin assistants=rich sources of info

(page 252)
Surveys=which part is most valuable, what frustrates users, any ideas for improvement, level of user satisfaction

Contextual Inquiry=anthropologist being tapped into to apply thier ethnographi research methods to product design

(page 253)
Focus Groups=potential users ask scripted questions what would they like to see/demonstrate prototype

(page 254)
Interviews=background, information use, intranet use, document publishing, suggestions

(page 255)
Card sorting=stack of index cards shuffled, have user put words on cards into piles that make sense-analyze data, can use post its

(page 256)
diff dimensions of card sorting
-open/closed
-phrasing
-granularity
-heterogeneity
-cross listing
-randomness
-quantitative/qualitative

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CHAPTER 11

(PAGE 264)
-elements of IA strategy
-guidelines for moving from research to strategy
-metaphors, scenerios, condeptual diagrams to bring strategy to life

(page 265)
Information Architecture Administration=create realistic stratgey
Technology intergration=leverage existing tools and identify needs for addtl technology
Top-down or bottom-up emphasis=current status of the site, political environment, IA model
Ogranization and labeling systems (top-down)=schemes for the site
Document type identification(bottom-up)=document and object types, articles, white papers, financial calculator, online course module...
Metadata field definition=define administrative, structural and descriptive metadata.. or global
Navigation system design=how will this leverage top-down or bottom-up strategies

(page 269)
Strategy development process diagram Figure 11.2

(page 270)
Articulate=ideas informal scriblles, diagrams, notes, whiteboard

Communicate=effective ways ideas to target audience

(page 271)
Test=no excuse not to test, prototypes, metaphors(organizational, functional, visual)

(page 281)
Weather.com

(page 287)
Metadata

example:

Metadata element Example

author Terrell Johnson
publisher Jody Fennell
title Antigua hardest hit by Jose
date Thu Oct 21 1999
expiration date 1031999 12:01:23
links /news/102199/story.htm
document type news story.glossary term
subject area tropical storm
keywords Jose, Antigua, damage, intensity
related to breaking weather, news stories, severe weathermaps
geographic access levels local city, local regional, national
geographic areas Antigua, North Carloina, South Carolina

Thesaurus=building blocks to help users find info more easily

Lesson 4 - Review Websites

WEBSITES - review the following sites:

"How Much Information?"
How Much Information

This study from UCBerkeley estimates the quantity of new information produced each year. As this study makes clear, there is a massive amount of information out there to be organized.

-My take on this site first theres too much open unused real estate/too much white space... so poorly designed visually. And whats with all the question mark icons in the text??
exabyte=An exabyte (derived from the SI prefix exa-) is a unit of information or computer storage equal to one quintillion bytes (short scale). It is commonly abbreviated EB. When used with byte multiples, the unit indicates a power of 1000=a new word for me...interesting...sounds like quite alot....

The statistical information about the amount of things/info being stored and the data about it increasing - amazing and scary at the same time. Can we handle this? Can we handle what the future holds for storing data?

Print, film, magnetic, and optical storage media produced about 5 exabytes of new information in 2002. Ninety-two percent of the new information was stored on magnetic media, mostly in hard disks.

Table 1.1 is great. I for sure bookmarked this website for this information alone.
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PEW Internet & American Life Project
Pew

This site is a national research project detailing many important aspects of Internet (and Internet related technologies) adoption and usage.

PEW=nonprofit "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Project produces reports exploring the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.

Layout and design visually looks great. The side index Very interesting compilation of information about information gathered and otherwise.

I particularly liked that fact that this group is focused on research pertaining the internet, the digital divide and usage. Amazing the amount of data and research they have done.
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CIADA
CIADA

This site is a global Internet research firm. In particular, check out their Internet topography maps. While it is not necessary for IA's to understand Internet Infrastructure from an engineering point of view, it is a good idea to be aware of just how massive and global the Internet is.

Okay I love the logo and design but don't like the tiny font links. It's hard to read for us folks that already have to wear computer glasses.

The typography map is very complex full of information that has so tiny of font I can't read it...yikes! But I uploaded the pic for the blog. There are sections of Papers, Blogs, and New..

The IPv6 Topology Dataset contains information useful for studying the IP- and AS-topology of the IPv6 Internet. The focus of this measurement is on discovering topology and not on finding responding destinations. A globally distributed set of Archipelago (Ark) monitors has continuously collected this data since December 12, 2008.

Analysis of Saphire Worm=this section has information and studies on self-propagating malicious code that exploits the vulnerability-worms or viruses.

Of course, I clicked on Animation but it just blinks...I thought maybe it would have an anmimated trail of a virus or something.

REFLECTIVE PAGE - Lesson 4

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Chapters 7,8, and 9 are beginning to give us a depth into the structure of content on a website combined with some tools used to organized and shape the way users find information.

Navigation systems should have a simple but balanced and flexible feel to them. Having no clutter helps the user to easily navigate to search for information. Some tools used by IAs are sitemaps and or site indexes which serve like a table of contents. Some companies prefer complex site maps putting information in simple groupings that make sense for thier products.

Inside the anatomy of a search the goal is to make whatever words the user types in the fields searchable and retreival (algorithms). The search interface design is used for this and if made with a more natural feel to common language then the greater chances the items received will match what the user wants.

Some platforms have limitations and the configuration of the search query isn't as user friendly as the user would like it to be. But if it is constructed correctly fitting the sites purpose then precise recall with pertinent results can occur for he user.

Some queries offer broad and narrow searches. But the glue that holds the searching together for optimal results for he user is a well constructed website that basically is structured and organized as a collection of interconnected systems that utilize controlled vocabularies and theasuri.

Week 4 - Lesson 4 Readings & Take Aways

Assigned : READINGS - This week, read Chapters 7 - 9 from the "polar bear" text.

Book: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition, by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld, ISBN 100596527349

(page 116)
Types of Navigation Systems

Global Navigation/local navigation/contextual navigation
Where Am I/whats nearby/whats related to whats here
Where Can I Go/where an I go/where can I go
Sitemap/categories
Index/A, B, C
Guide/Steps

(page 122)
Navigation systems should be balanced=flexibility/no clutter

Too many navigational aids can bury the hierarchy and overwhelm the user

Site-wide (Global)
-intended to be present on every page
-at bar on top of page
-direct access to key areas

(page 124)
Local navigational systems

-helps users explore the imeediate area

(page 126)
Contextual Navigation
-specific to page or document
-points to related products or information

(page 127)
Embedded navigation
-global, local and contextual usually reside on all pages
-combined can be efficient but independently can use up alot of real estate

(page 132)
Supplemental navigation
-sitemaps=table of contents
-site indexes
-guides
-wizards
-search
-personalize/customization
-visualization

(page 142)
-social navigation=actions of other users
-search logs, user statistics, databases
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TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 8

SEARCH SYSTEMS

(page 145)
-anatomy of a search
-make searchable
-retreival algorithms
-search interface design

(pages 146-148)
-Does your site have enough content?
-Will investing in search systems divert resources from more useful navigation systems?
-Do you have the time and know how to optimize your site's search system?
-Are there better alternatives?
-Will your site's users bother with search?
-Search helps when you have too much information to browse?
-Search helps fragmented sites
-Search is a learning tool
-Search should be there because users expect it to be there
-Search can tame dynamism

(page 150)
Search is not an IT thing
-servers
-platform limitations
-configuration
-search is there for users

(page 157)
-search zones-homogenous content reduces the apples/oranges effect
-choosing what to make searchable
-audience, content type, role, subject, topic, geography, chronology, author, department/business unit

(page 154)
Index for specific audiences

-select content components to index: body , title, URL
-some are visible and some are not

(page 158-159)
Alogorithms
-search engines find information in many ways
-pattern matching=compare user's query with an index
-recall=relevant to the documents retrieved
-precision=relevant to the documents recieved
-automatic stemming=other terms that share the same root(or stem)and if stem is strong it may produce a great deal of documents

(page 160)
document simularity=algorithms will convert that document into the equivlant of a query/stops words stripped out such as the, he, she, is

(page 161-162)
Query Builders
-invisible users, inhance the querys performance
1. spell checkers
2. phonetic tools
3. stemming tools
4. natural vocabularies and thesauri

(page 163)
Display
-rule-display less information to users who know what they are looking for and more information to users who are not sure what they want

(page 168)
-sort by alphabet
-sort by chronolgy
-ranking by relevance, popularity,users ratings, pay for placement

(page 176)
-printing, emailing, saving results=bookmark
-save things for future retrieval

(page 191)
Where to learn more information texts:

Modern Information Retrieval by Ricardo Baeza-Yates and Berthier Ribeiro-Neto

Concept of Information Retrieval by Miranda Lee Pao-out of print/amazon

On Search, the Series by Tim Bray-father of XML
http:/www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/200x/2003/07/30/OnSearchTOC


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TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 9

THESAURI, CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES, AND METADATA

(page 193)
-website is a collection of interconnected systems with complex dependencies.
-a single link can be part of a sites structure, organization, labeling, navigation, searching systems
-metada and controlled vocabularies = lens to view the network of relationships between systems
thesauri design=bridges gap between past and present

(page 194)
-metdata=data about data
-metdata tags are used to describe documents, pages, images software, video, and audio files and other content objects for purposes of improved navigation and retrieval
-controlled vocabularies=subset of a natural language
-list of preferred terms=authority file/broader/narrower

(page 195)
-synonym ring=connects a set of words taht are defined as equivalent for purposes of retrieval

(page 197)
-Precision and recall ratios - chart

-authority files= a list of preferred terms or acceptable values/does not include variants or synonyms

(page 199)
i.e.
CT, Connecticut, Conn, Conneticut, Constitution State

(page 200)
-preferred terms helpful when user switches from searching to browsing

(page 201)
Classification schemes
-hierarchical arrangement of preferred terms=taxonomy
-example DDC list begins with top 10 then drills down into great detail within each section

(page 203)
Thesauri
-book of synonyms
-contrasting words and antonyms

(page 204)
-specialized technical language can provide efficiency and specificity when communication among experts

-preferred term (PT)= acceptable term, acceptable value, subject heading, descriptor

-variant term (VT)=entry term, non preferred term

-broader term (BT)=parent of the preferred term

-narrower term (NT)=child of the preferred term

-related term (RT)=connected to preferred term by association

-use (U)=as tool for indexers

-used for (UF)=to show full list of variants on the preferred terms record

-scope note (SN)=specific type of definition of the preferred term

(page 209-213)
Thesauri
-Classic Thesaurus=at the point of indexing and searching
-Indexing Thesaurus=controlled vocabulary indexing, consistency, efficiency
-standards=construction of single language/guidelines monolingual

(page 221)
Faceted Classification
-Ranganathan-idealist=5 universal facets to be used for organizing everything:
-personality
-matter
-energy
-space
-time

(page 222)
Use common facets
-Topic
-Product
-Document type
-Audience
-Geography
-Price
(figure 9-27 and 9-29 page 223)

REFLECTION PAGE - Lesson 3

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What we have seen so far is that structure and organization as well as labeling and organizing systems of the web content is imperative to be designed by the IA in such a way that users can easily search and find the answers to their questions. If they don't find the structure of the content organized in a user friendly way, they may get frustrated and not use the site. This may reflect poorly on the site.

We learned that the choice of labeling and organizing that the IA makes for the website can have a huge impact either positively or negatively on how users perceive the site which reflects the company, the products and services and information it offers.

Some characteristics IA's need to consider when designing the structure and organization of the labeling is use a system that will be logical to the average user such as labels that are in some format or order:
-alphabetical-index, dictionaries
-chronological-archives, announcements
-geographical-traveling,maps
-topic-yellow book pages, consumer reports
-task-applications, things to perform
-audience-repeat visitors/bookmark the site, clutter free, schematic, self identity
-metaphor-trash can =recycling bin, desktop, folders, intuitive
-hybrids-mixed together of various things but laid out so easy mental-model to user

It is important to reduce the number of possible perspectives on what a label means to the user and try not to confuse the user by mixing up different kinds or types of systems or order in which the labels are laid out.

Another important aspect of structuring and organizing labels which lead the user to the content of the site is 'Controlled Vocabularies' which are predetermined sets of authorized terminology that organize knowledge for searching. This structure uses: theasuri, taxonomies, subject indexing. The words and phrases are selected to tag information so that is is easily searchable. (Wiki, 2009)

The Getty Controlled Vocabularies and databases are one such controlled vocabulary program and they are maintained by the Getty Vocabulary Program and aligned with ISO and NISO compliance (standards for theasauri construction)

The Getty vocabularies can be used in three ways: at the data entry stage, by catalogers or indexers who are describing works of art, architecture, material culture, archival materials, visual surrogates, or bibliographic materials; as knowledge bases, providing information for researchers; and as search assistants to enhance end-user access to online resources.(Getty, n.d.)

The goal for controlled vocabulary is to enhance cataloging, research, discovery and and education via making it easier to search for something. Some people don't know what an object or piece of art might be called. Structuring and organizing controlled vocabularies into metadata and tags aids labels and content for optimal searching and ease to the user.

Know your audience, use language, labels and design flow that best suits the site, the user and reflects well upon the company presenting the information. Most importantly, site navigation and site orgranization go hand in hand. The goal is to maximize information access and minimize the number of clicks needed to get to the desired information. (Miller, 2009) Make it as easy as you can on the user!

Miller, J. B. (2009). Internet technologies and information services. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited.

The Getty. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2009 from http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/

Wikipedia. (2009). Retrieved September 7, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_vocabularies

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Week 3 - Lesson 3 - Review Websites

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WEBSITES - review the following:


Rosenfeld Media/Search Analytics - Luis Rosenfeld's site provides information on an emerging IA research topic known as "search analytics".

This site was easy on the eye right off. Has the article about the book (not published yet) in progress by Louis Rosenfeld and Marko Hurst=about all the unseen data behind the seen = IA. Logs that capture what the user is searching for. This kind of data helps the IA deterimine if the structure and labels are working well for the site or working against it.

Below is a blog about the new topic search analytics=about effective ways to measure site search strategies including an conference about it.

The colors and ease of the layout are so easy to the eye. I feel like I could look at the site for awhile and study each column, components and content without feeling overwhelmed about all the links available and the info inside them.


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Wikipedia/Contextual Design - Wiki's overview of another emerging IA research area known as "contextual design" (and contextual inquiry).

Contextual Design or CD=user-centered design process developed by Hugh Beyer and Karen Holtzblatt. It incorporates ethnographic methods for gathering data relevant to the product, field studies, rationalizing workflows, system and designing human-computer interfaces. In practice, this means that researchers aggregate data from customers in the field where people are living and applying these findings, into a final product. Contextual Design can be seen as an alternative to engineering and feature driven models of creating new systems.

Interesting, I just checked out a book on Work Modeling to research some information about workflow and the use of online tools such as blogs to help manage workflow.

Flow model=represents the coordination, interaction and responsibilities of the people in a certain work practice
Sequence model=represents the required steps to accomplish a certain activity
Cultural model=represents the norms, influences, and pressures that are present in the work environment
Artifact model =represents the documents or other products that are created while working. Artifacts often have a structure or styling that could represent the user's * Physical model - represents the physical environment where the work tasks are accomplished; often, there are multiple physical models representing, e.g., office layout, network topology, or the layout of tools on a computer display.


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Week 3 - Lesson 3 - Readings and Take Aways

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Assigned : READINGS - This week, read Chapters 5 - 6 from the "polar bear" text.

Book: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition, by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld, ISBN 100596527349


TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 5

ORGANIZED SYSTEMS

(page 53)
As IA we organize info so that people can find the answers to their questions and strive to support casual browsing, direct searching, avoid scrolling = aim is to label system to give it sense to user.

The Web provides environment to create this atmosphere.

IA are more and more becoming like librarians to centralize information and organize it for users.

(page 54)
Blogs, Corporate websites, freedoms to publish, content growth, information overload,

exabyte=billion gigabytes=wow!

Classification systems built on foundation of language and words can be understood in more than one way=ambiguity.

(page 56)
Heterogeneity=collection of objects with unlike parts.

Homeogenous=similar or identical elements=allows structure to classification systems.

Some websites=heterogeneous provide access to documents which in turn articles, journals, link outs to pages or other websites=granularity.

(page 57)
The way some people organize their files on their computer can be maddening.

Labeling and organizing systems are affected by their creators perspectives.

Website are designed for multiple users and all users have a different way of understanding info and how to organize it.

(page 58)
The choice of labeling and organizing IA for websites has huge impace on how users of the site perceive the company, products, service.

IA's must be sensitive to ogr's polictical environment and company image, products and services.

(page 59)
Schemes=telephone books, bookstores, supermarkets, tv programs guides=help us access the information.

Telephone book exact(alphabetical) vs supermarket=ambiguous at best.

(page 60-67)
-alphabetical-index, dictionaries
-chronological-archives, announcements
-geographical-traveling,maps
-topic-yellow book pages, consumer reports
-task-applications, things to perform
-audience-repeat visitors/bookmark the site, clutter free, schematic, self identity
-metaphor-trash can =recycling bin, desktop, folders, intuitive
-hybrids-mixed together of various things but laid out so easy mental-model to user

(page 69)
Top Down approach

Hierchy/taxonomy=organized info into hierchies: family trees, kingdoms, classes, species, organizational charts, books, chapters

These are simple familiar ways to organize.

(page 70)
Taxonomies that allow cross-linking=polyhierchal

(page 71)
Number of links safely include is constrained by users abilities to visually scan the page rather than by their short term memories.

INSTEAD:
-recognize the danger of overload options
-group and structure at page level
-subject your designs to user testing

(page 73)
Bottom up Approach

Data arranged for ease of speed and search and retrieval=example Rolodex

(page 74)
Relational Database Model(page 75)=data stored within set of relations or tables.
Rows in tables represent records, columns represent fields, data may be linked via keys.

Tag documents = controlled vocabularies metadata = powerful search, browse, filtering, linking occurs. CMS Content Management System software manages your metadata and controlled vocabularies.

(page 76)
Diagram showing structural approach to defining a metadata schema

(page 77)
Free Tagging=collaborative categorization, mob indexing, ethno classification
Tags are public=serve as social navigation

(page 80)
Break down site into components, tackle one question at a time, decompose content into narrow domains=identify opps for effective org systems.



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TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 6

LABELING SYSTEMS

(page 82)
Labeling=form of representation

Works as a short cut to chunks of information

If done poorly, users suffer, can't find what they need

(page 83)
Need feedback from users/sometimes response to feedback too delayed

(page 86)
Labels- Two formats

Textural
Iconic


Contextural links=hyperlinks to chunks of information on other pages or to another location on the same page


Headings=labels that simply describe the content that follows them, just as print headings do


Navigation system choices=labels representing the options in navigation systems

Index terms=keywords, tags, subject headings that represent content for searching or browsing

(page 98)
General Guidelines-Designing Labels

-Content users and context affect all aspects of the IA

-Ambiguity makes is hard to assign labels to describe content/don't make it difficult for the users

(page 99)
Narrow scope wherever possible.

Reduce the number of possible perspectives on what a label means.

Labels, like organizations and navigation systems, are systems in their own right.

(page 99)
Consistency

-Style:(Strunk and White)
-Presentation: fonts, sizes, colors, whitespace, grouping
(page 100)
-Syntax:verb based labels for instance, single syntactical approach
-Granularity:equal in specificity,i.e. restaurants, burger king, fast food franchises
-Comprehensiveness: reduce noticeable gaps, mistakes, keep things consistent
-Audience:know your audience, consider the language you use, terminology consistencies

(page 101)
Sections Labeled & Navigation
Top of page types of labels=i.e. buy tickets, hotels, travel info
Body navigation types of labels=i.e. track your flight, what to expect in airport
Bottom of page types of labels=i.e.home, sitemap, FAQs, Contact us

(page 102)

Controlled Vocabularies and Thesauri

Usually created by prof's like librarians alike.

Accurate representation and consistency.

Seek out narrowly focused vocabularies that help specific audiences to access specific types of content.

(page 103)
Unfortunately there are not controlled voc's for every domain. But seek out as much as you can before creating label system.

-Taxonomy Warehouse
-ThesauriOnline
-Controlled vocabularies
-Web Thesaurus Compendium

(page 104)
Creating new label systems

Labels can be derived from content in the site.

auto extraction=of meaningful terms

Take terms output by software (auto extraction) and use them as candidates for controlled vocabulary.

(page 105)
Ask content authors to suggest labels for their own content.

Use advocates and subject matter experts=librarians, switchboard operators, subject matter experts.

(page 106)
Card sorting=exercises are good way to learn how your users would use information.

open=cluster labels for existing content/closed=provide subjects with existing categories and sort content into those categories

(page 108)
free listing=select an iten and have subjects brainstorm terms to describe it

(page 109)
Indirectly from users=check search queries used

Search-log analysis=search analytics least intrusive data on labels your site's audiences actually use.

**Labels represent relationship between users and content-analyze and adjust regularly

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REFLECTION PAGE - Lesson 2

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Week 2 - REFLECTION PAGE - Lesson 2

I found these chapters very intriguing. After taking the Graphics class with Dr. Simon and learning how to build a site, here in this class, I am learning the underbelly of the world of 'sites' and how they work, what works best for the site and the user, the intricate components that make the site the structure that it is including new terms to me which are great: chunks, breadcrumbs, findability, usability, lobster trapping (not the critter either), driftnetting, pearl growing, top down, bottom up, and IA Components:
Organizational systems-by subject or chronologically
Labeling systems-lay terminology
Navigational systems-browse move thru site
Searching systems-execute queries

As well as, browsing aids, searching aids, content, tasks, and invisible components.

The websites to review are amazing (as usual Dr. Simon, thank you) the Advanced Technology is eye candy for the computer nut.
I just want to spend hours pecking away at all the links and chunks and drop downs. Star Trek meets art girl in Yoda-land! yeah love this site.

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Week 2 - Lesson 2 - Reading & Take Aways

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Assigned : READINGS - This week, read Chapters 3 - 4 from the "polar bear" text.

Book: Information Architecture for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition, by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld, ISBN 100596527349


TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 3

USER NEEDS AND BEHAVIORS

(page 30)
-Dangers of oversimplified findability
-information needs vary
-info seeking behaviors vary
-determine these varying needs

-IA's need to understand this and correspond accordingly

(page 31)
Your site's information and usability and findability should match the needs of the site and the users who will use it. IA's need to discover the highest priorities for valuable information: efforts, resources, time and money=design architecture

(page 32)
"too simple"=oversimplifying - must understand what goes on inside the users head.

(page 33)
perfect catch sites packed with data/get what you want right off the first search


lobster trapping you don't know exactly alot about what you're looking for=you search and hope whatever you find will be it

indiscriminate driftnetting you want to leave no stone unturned in your search for info

(page 36)
Figure 3-4. The berry picking model of how users move through an information system=
yahoo type searching=within subcategories

(page 37)
pearl growing user starts with a few good documents and they want more like that.

*Most important is to learn about the users and their needs and behaviors/prioritize architectural components to build around this to your design.


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TAKE AWAYS
Chapter 4

THE ANATOMY OF AN INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

(page 41)
-make tangible
-visualize top down and bottom up
-categorize components-understand and explain IA

Organization systems=present site information in a variety of ways


Navigation systems=help users move through the content menus popular


Search systems=allow users to search the content/interface

Labeling systems=describe categories options links meaningful to user

(page 44-45)

top down information=Try to anticipate users major needs and common questions/design site to meet this

Top down questions:
-Where am I
-I know what I'm looking for, how do I search
-How do I get around the site
-What' important and unique about site organization
-What's available on the site
-What's happening there
-Do they want my opinion about the site
-How can I contact a human
-What's their address

(page 47)

recipe for strong structure='chunked' information/subtitles, directions,

Bottom up = content structure sequencing tagging help answer questions=sequential placement

Bottom down questions
(page48)
-where am I
-Whats here
-Where can I go from here

(page 49)
IA blueprints for navigational routes that support visual design=its visable and invisable that illustrates IA


IA components
Organizational systems-by subject or chronologically
Labeling systems-lay terminology
Navigational systems-browse move thru site
Searching systems-execute queries

(page 50)

Browsing Aids
Organization systems=categorize by topic, task, audiences, chronology
Site wide navigation systems=where they are where they can go=breadcrumbs
Local navigation systems=where they are where they go within a portion of the site
Sitemaps/tables of contents=supplement navigation systems/condensed overview of content areas
Site indices=alphabetized list of links to contents
Site guides=specialized info on site
Site wizards=lead user through a sequential set of steps
Contextual navigation systems=embedded in text links to related content

(page 51)
Search Aids

Search interface=entering and revising a search query
Query language=grammer of search query/Boolean/proximity operators
Query builders=enhancing query performance
Retrieval algorithms=determines which content matches query
Search zones=subsets of site content separetly indexed to support narrower search
Search results=presentation of content that matches the users search query

Content and Tasks

Headings=labels for content
Embedded links=links within text


(page 52)
Embedded metadata=used as metadata but first extracted
Chunks=logical units of content
Lists=groups of chunks or lists of chunks groupd together they share common trait/particular order
Identifiers=Clues that suggest where the user is in an information system


Invisible Components

Controlled vocabularies and thesauri=predetermined vocabularies of preferred terms that describe a specific domain/broader/narrower terms/related terms, scope notes, Search systems can enhance queries by extracting a querys synonyms from a controlled vocabulary
Retrieval algorithms=rank search results by relevance=relfect programers judgements on how to determine relevance
Best bets=which results merits as best results

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