May 2003 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

library, internet, democracy
by Bettina Fabos 20 May '03

20 May '03

Hello colleagues, I'm rounding up some smart contributors for a special issue of Library Trends that focuses on Internet commercialism, information retrieval, and the political economy of the Web. It'll be called "The Commercialized Web: Challenges for Libraries and Democracy." If you'd like more information, visit the issue description at www.uni.edu/~fabos/library.html, or contact me at fabos(a)uni.edu. If you know of anyone who does this kind of work, please direct them to this web site. I'm especially looking for people who can write about the government-supported subject gateway initiatives in Canada and throughout Europe. Library Trends is one of the most respected library journals and enjoys a wide circulation. This promises to be an exciting issue. Thanks for your input. With kind regards, Bettina Fabos Assistant Professor University of Northern Iowa

1 0

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Conference Organizer (National Conference on Media Reform)
by david silver 20 May '03

20 May '03

fyi. david *** JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Conference Organizer Free Press (www.mediareform.net) is seeking an experienced conference organizer to coordinate the National Conference on Media Reform, November 7th - 9th, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Coordinator is responsible for: scheduling sessions, panelists, participants, concerts, and staff; preparing and coordinating multimedia and print materials; advertising and outreach; managing complex logistics, data and budgets. Salary commensurate with experience. Location: either Northampton, Massachusetts or Madison, Wisconsin. Contract position. Diversity candidates encouraged to apply. Please send cover letter and resume to jobs(a)mediareform.net or fax 413.586.8398 Application deadline June 7, 2003. Free Press is a national organization working to increase informed public participation in crucial media policy debates. Free Press's mission is to generate a range of policies that will produce a more competitive and public interest-oriented media system with a strong nonprofit and noncommercial sector.

1 0

Icograda Education Network Conference
by A.C.Roibas＠bton.ac.uk 20 May '03

20 May '03

Attend the 1st Icograda Education Network Conference! Icograda Education Network Conference University of Brighton 21 - 23 June 2003 - Brighton, U.K. This important Conference at the University of Brighton will focus on current issues in graphic design education worldwide. Attendance is open to all design educators. Immediately following the two-day Conference, a one-day closed Assembly will be held with representatives of educational institutions who are registered participants of the Icograda Education Network (IEN). This Assembly will focus on the structuring of the IEN. Icograda Education Network Conference University of Brighton On 21-22 June 2003, the University of Brighton's Faculty of Art and Architecture will host the first Icograda Education Network Conference. The objective of this event is to generate a truly open and broad international discussion in order to identify key issues facing graphic design educators. The results of these discussions will serve the IEN Assembly following the Conference in defining an agenda for future activities. The two-day Conference will include; invited speakers reflecting graphic design education in different geographic, social and economic environments; participant presenters (based on submitted proposals); workshop sessions; panel discussions; and a variety of presentations. The IEN Conference is open to all. A registration fee of GBP90 covers participation in the Conference, the University's Gala Dinner, and other events. Other meals are not included. IEN participants in good standing are entitled to send one delegate to the Conference at no charge. (A GBP30 charge will be made for attending the optional Gala Dinner). A block of rooms in local hotels has been reserved. For IEN Conference registration and hotel accommodation, please contact: Jennifer Wells at j.wells(a)brighton.ac.uk , telephone +44 1273 64 2748, fax +44 1273 64 3227. Icograda Education Network Conference Call for Submissions Please submit a 250 word synopsis of your proposed presentation along with a brief CV and basic information about the structure and programs of your educational institution. Topic material should reflect the objectives of the IEN Conference and may include a presentation on particular challenges or a report on a particular project or experience of relevance. Proposals should be submitted as a Word document, to education(a)icograda.org by 30 April 2003. Please write presentation proposal (name of person) as the message title. The final program will be circulated by 15 May 2003. (No financial support will be available for presenters, who are expected to register for the Conference). Icograda Education Network - Assembly An IEN Assembly will take place on 23 June 2003, immediately following the IEN Conference, at the University of Brighton. The IEN Assembly is open to all IEN participants in good standing. Each school may send two official delegates to the IEN Assembly. This IEN Assembly will lay the groundwork for the IEN's future activities, define IEN objectives and mission, develop an agenda, chart a course of action, and also inform the IEN's executive structures and IEN working committees. IEN Assembly participants are invited to submit ideas for projects and events and are invited to submit proposals to host future IEN Conferences. IEN Participant Registration for Conference and Assembly IEN participants in good standing (fully paid fees by 23 June 2003) are requested to register for participation in the IEN Conference and the IEN Assembly as early as possible by contacting education(a)icograda.org Other Events The IEN Conference and IEN Assembly will coincide with the degree shows of the University of Brighton, and ties into a broader program of interesting activities and events in and around Brighton. All registered attendees of the IEN Conference and IEN Assembly will be notified of and invited to participate in associated activities. ............................................................................ .......................... Icograda Education Network The Icograda Education Network (IEN) brings together the worldwide community of graphic design educational institutions. The IEN was inaugurated at a meeting in Brno, Czech Republic, in June 2002 attended by 73 delegates from 28 countries. In keeping with its objectives, principles, and core values, Icograda is giving birth to the IEN initiative and will provide early logistical and administrative support. The IEN will develop according to an agenda defined by active IEN participants relevant activities will be fueled by the ideas, energies, and resources of the network. Icograda Education Network - Objectives IEN's objectives include: creating opportunities for exchange and collaboration at all levels of graphic design education (institutions, faculty and students); examining current and future needs and challenges of design education; advancement of teaching methods and research opportunities; organising collaborative projects, seminars, symposia, conferences, etc.; and sharing experiences for mutual benefit. Ten percent of all fees contributed by IEN participants will be funneled into the Icograda Foundation, to be used for student scholarships and further seeding initiatives. Icograda Education Network - Participation The IEN hopes to enlist graphic design educational institutions in all countries. Participation is open to all schools offering specific post-secondary programs in graphic design (across the entire spectrum of visual communications) according to the specific conditions in each country. Thus the IEN includes schools that provide advanced degrees, as well as schools with programs as short as two years. In order to join the IEN, a school must complete an application form (available from the Icograda Secretariat), must be willing to actively engage in IEN activities, and must pay an annual subscription fee. IEN schools are able to take part in all programs and projects, and are also invited to propose and host IEN projects and events. IEN members may participate in IEN Assembly meetings and serve on IEN committees and executive organs - thus helping define the course of the IEN's development. Annual fees (calendar year) for IEN participation are based on per capita Gross National Product (GNP) for the country in which the applicant school is based: Category A (per capita GNP $USD 10,000 and above) - $USD 600; Category B (per capita GNP $USD 2,500 - 9,999) - $USD 400; Category C (per capita GNP below $USD 2,499) - $USD 100. www.education.icograda.org On 27 April 2003 (World Graphics Day, and Icograda's 40th birthday) the IEN website will launch. The website will feature the schools participating in the IEN (each school has an editable profile) and will include design education information and valuable links related to graphic design education. Discussion Lists will provide an active forum for exchange between participants. ---------------------------------------------------- Dr. Anxo Cereijo Roibás, School of Computing, Mathematical & Information Sciences Faculty of Management & Information Sciences University of Brighton Watts Building, Moulsecoomb Brighton BN2 4GJ United Kingdom t +44(0)1273 64 2458 f +44(0)1273 64 2405 m +44(0)7814 491790 http://www.it.bton.ac.uk/staff/anxo/ <http://www.it.bton.ac.uk/staff/anxo/>

1 0

Tutorial: Online Communities
by chadia Abras 20 May '03

20 May '03

HCI International 2003 Crete, Greece, June 22-27 T1: Online Communities Full Day Tutorial Jennifer Preece, Chadia Abras University of Maryland Baltimore County Objectives: This tutorial provides a broad introduction to the research and development practices involved in creating successful online communities. After completing this tutorial you should: Be able to discuss research that impacts the design, management and success of online communities (part 1); Be aware of different software architectures for supporting online communities and know the pros and cons of using two well-known freeware bulletin board systems (part 2); Know what is involved in participatory community development, and be able to evaluate usability and sociability of the design (part 3); Be aware of management challenges for moderating and supporting an evolving online community (part 3); Be able to discuss the differences between health, education and business online communities and how these differences impact development and management of these communities (part 4). Content and Benefits: The content for the day will be split into 4 parts. Each part will contain activities that involve participants in small groups. Morning part 1: Review of key research findings about developing and managing online. communities. This review focuses on topics that directly address the question: what makes an online community successful? This review will provide a foundation for the discussion and activities that follow during the rest of the day. Some topics that will be covered include: the purpose of online communities, communication and conflict online, identity, social presence and awareness, participation and lurking, empathy and trust. Benefits: It would take months to find and synthesize this information unless you are working in this area. Morning part 2: What to look for in software to support online communities. We will briefly review the different types of software environments that can be used to support online communities. We will then examine the features of two popular freeware bulletin board systems in detail and report on our experience of using these systems. We will also review architectures for a few well-known commercial environments. Benefits: You will learn about currently available software and what it is like to develop online communities using these systems. Lunch Afternoon part 1: Developing and managing online communities. We will present a participatory community development method. Our method describes what to look out for when developing online communities, how to involve participants, guidelines for developing and managing successful online communities and heuristics for evaluating success. Benefits: You will learn about key issues in developing and managing online communities. Afternoon part 2: Special issues of concern for: health, education and business communities. Communities differ depending upon their goals. During the last part of the tutorial we will examine examples of health, education and business communities and we will analyze their differences in order to understand what makes each type successful. Benefits: You will learn how communities differ and how to design and manage different types of communities. Book: Online communities: Designing usability, supporting sociability (Preece, 2000) John Wiley & Sons, England: Chichester. Target Audience: We welcome practitioners and academics who seek a broad exposure to the practicalities of developing online communities. Brief Biographical Sketch: Jennifer Preece is a professor of information systems at UMBC. She researches and teaches online communities and human-computer interaction. Her research focuses on understanding the usability and sociability issues that contribute to the success of different types of online communities. Topics on which she is currently working include: empathy and trust, participation and lurking (i.e., non-posting), heuristics and tools for evaluating success. Jenny Preece has published widely and is author or co-author of 8 books including two recent ones: Preece, J., Rogers, Y. & Sharp, H. (2002) Interaction design: Beyond human-computer interaction. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. www.id-book.com and Preece, J. (2000) Online communities: Designing usability, supporting sociability. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons. www.ifsm.umbc.edu/onlinecommunities Chadia Abras is a graduate student at UMBC. Her research focuses on developing usability and sociability heuristics to assess success in different types of online communities. A goal of this work is to develop metrics that determine success. Her work uses a community-centered development approach, assessing the usability and sociability of the site, selecting software to support online communities and evaluating the community through surveys, interviews and logging in order to determine success.

1 0

Re: [Air-l] RE: impressions?
by Bernard Stehle 19 May '03

19 May '03

Jamie, I've lost the thread a couple of messages ago. Which "book" are you referring to? --Bernard Bernard F. Stehle Associate Professor of English Community College of Philadelphia >>> jamie.switzer(a)colostate.edu 05/18/03 16:23 PM >>> I just finished teaching a graduate class in New Communication Technology and Society. The ages ranged from 25 to 42. They absolutely loved the book! A lot of the information was very new to these students, and they really enjoyed the readings and subsequent discussions. And as one of them said at the end of the semester: "Wow, I had no idea what I didn't know!" I suppose that's the difference between technology-savvy undergraduates, and not-so-savvy older graduate students. JS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Jamie S. Switzer Assistant Professor Department of Journalism and Technical Communication Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785 970.491.2239 fax 970.491.2908 jamie.switzer(a)colostate.edu _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

1 0

Re: Rob Kling, rest in peace
by James Watt 19 May '03

19 May '03

Let me add my voice to those expressing sadness at the passing of Rob Kling. I was a member of Rob's "Computers and Society" course that he taught at the University of Wisconsin the first year after he arrived from Stanford (1971?). I remember fondly the intellectual range of that seminar (course materials ranged from readings from Jacques Ellul to a performance of Firesign Theater's "We're All Bozos on This Bus"), and the rather unconventional class meetings at his house. Requiesat in Pacem. ======================================================== James H. Watt Professor and Chair, Department of Language, Literature, and Communication Director, Social and Behavioral Research Laboratory Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th Street, Sage Lab 4708 Troy, NY 12180-3590 email: wattj(a)rpi.edu voice: (518) 276-2784 fax: (518) 276-4092

1 0

RE: Air-l digest, Vol 1 #719 - 8 msgs
by Sue Cranmer 19 May '03

19 May '03

Hi In my research into how families use the internet, I have one user who sends/receives emails frequently throughout the day but doesn't know how to search on the web. She said she'd never had any reason to! (There is earlier feminist research on women feeling the web isn't for them of course, can't remember refs off the top of my head but maybe Dale Spender, Nattering on the Net was one of them.) I visited this woman two years later and found she'd ceased internet use altogether. I guess it doesn't work for everyone. Sue 2. Internet information sources (Marj Kibby) >>> Marj.Kibby(a)newcastle.edu.au 05/14/2003 6:34:05 PM >>> As a member of many academic and hobby mailing lists I'm regularly struck by requests to the list for information that could have been uncovered by a web search. Today for example there was an 'urgent' request on a list for info on Terrence Malick's use of Walt Whitman, from a Cultural Studies professor. A web search on the two names brought up a number of good articles. Anyone know whether this is widespread, or have any explanation why Internet users would email others for information rather than search the web? Cheers, Marj Dr Marjorie Kibby, Senior Lecturer in Communication & Culture The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Marj.Kibby(a)newcastle.edu.au +61 2 49216604 _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l --__--__-- >

2 1

Re: [Air-l] Internet information sources
by Irene Berkowitz 19 May '03

19 May '03

Don't know why -- (as the song goes) but I see it a lot and wonder myself. Maybe people want more authoritative references? Irene Berkowitz Program Director, Curricular Publications and Systems Office of the Vice Provost Temple University tel. 215-204-7596 fax. 215-204 3175 berkowitz(a)mail.temple.edu >>> Marj.Kibby(a)newcastle.edu.au 05/14/2003 6:34:05 PM >>> As a member of many academic and hobby mailing lists I'm regularly struck by requests to the list for information that could have been uncovered by a web search. Today for example there was an 'urgent' request on a list for info on Terrence Malick's use of Walt Whitman, from a Cultural Studies professor. A web search on the two names brought up a number of good articles. Anyone know whether this is widespread, or have any explanation why Internet users would email others for information rather than search the web? Cheers, Marj Dr Marjorie Kibby, Senior Lecturer in Communication & Culture The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Marj.Kibby(a)newcastle.edu.au +61 2 49216604 _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l

3 2

RE: impressions?
by Neil Randall 18 May '03

18 May '03

The Internet is as unremarkable to most students today as fax machines are to us. But part of the reason, I believe, is that they don't realize what it is and what it can do, and that it's constantly changing - morphing might be a better term. Part of the fault lies with the educational system (high school, I mean) and, ironically, computer magazines, both of which have insisted on the Net primarily as a resource, a kind of big, amorphous library. And it's also, for the students, a souped-up telephone system. Libraries and telephone systems aren't particularly exciting institutions, at least not when you're 19 years old. We don't do enough, I believe, to stress the Net in its role as a playground for experimentation and creativity, and as something that we can all modify, adapt, and even alter radically. To me, that's what makes it an exciting medium: there's nothing stopping anyone from developing new ways of doing a great many things, even if these things are developed only as prototypes. There's another reason for the lack of interest, though. You can get a great deal of free stuff on the Internet, and our students know that. They download music, movies, software, porn, and much more, and because they've been doing so since adolescence or even earlier, the stuff has little value for them. When you're deluged by free music, when you can get it any time you want, it's no big deal after a while. I realize I'm sounding like my mother here - "How will you ever know the value of things if you don't have to work for them?" - but it seems true nevertheless. Neil Randall

2 1

May, 2003 AoIR Executive Committee Report
by Steve Jones 18 May '03

18 May '03

May 18, 2003 Report of the a(o).i.r. executive committee Prepared by Steve Jones AoIR Executive Committee President: Steve Jones Vice-President: Nancy Baym Secretary: Ulla Bunz Treasurer: Benjamin Bates Open Seats: David Silver and Barry Wellman Appointed Seats: Matthew Allen and Leslie Shade Student Seat: Lisbeth Klastrup Publications Officers: Jeremy Hunsinger and Charlie Breindahl 2003 Conference Chair: Liss Jeffrey 2003 Conference Program Co-Chairs: Matthew Allen and David Mitchell Ethics Working Group Chair: Charles Ess Elections Working Group Chair: Mia Consalvo Net Resources Working Group Chair: Charlie Breindahl 1. Introduction & General (Jones) Below is the monthly report from AoIR executive committee members. If you aren't reading this...well, you ought to be. I know it can get lengthy, and it can get detailed, but it's the single best way to know what AoIR is up to, and to find ways to get involved with it (in any number of ways from contacting the people who report to volunteering to work on something you see mentioned to making suggestions to...). 2. Executive Officers' Reports 2.1 President (Jones) 2.1.1 Short, simple but important - elections are upcoming for AoIR executive offices. A call for nominations will be distributed in the coming days, and I urge you to consider running for office as well as to consider nominating others for office. 2.2 Vice President (Baym) 2.2.1 Met with Steve Jones f2f to discuss business aspects of tranferring presidency/running aoir and future conferences. Helping get next round of elections up and going. I echo Steve in urging you to please consider running and/or nominating those who have insight and energy to help make AoIR all it could become. 2.3 Secretary (Bunz) 2.3.1 This month on the executive list: April 15 - May 15, 2003 This month on the executive list: - Following the recommendation of the Election workgroup, the new election procedures will include a discussion board (online forum) for candidates to interact with the public. The exec has been testing this system, and has been discussing general questions each candidate should have to answer in the election process. The exec has also been discussing whether members-only or everyone can post questions (at this point: everyone), and whether you should be able to post anonymously (at this point: yes [but it is not encouraged - Sj]). The exec has also been updating the vote call that will go out to air-l, and a nomination notification email. In addition, the exec has been setting the election schedule. - The exec has advised Matt Allen on the acceptance/rejection notices that have already gone out, and on the first drafts of the conference program. - The exec has tested the conference registration website. - The exec has been discussing and monitoring the SARS situation in Toronto. At this point, we don't see it threatening our conference in October. - In response to an inquiry, the exec has been discussing the archiving of conference papers. Our policy is to encourage people to provide their papers or extensive notes, though archiving them on the AoIR website does not really constitute a publication. - The exec has been discussing a bid for the 2004 conference and is very favorably inclined toward it. Final decisions will be announced after more communication with the site in question. Ulla Bunz Secretary 2.4 Treasurer (Bates) 2.4.1 Been keeping up with memberships, and sending out a batch of reminders. Created new database for the conference fees/info. 2.5 Open Seats (Silver, Wellman) 2.5.1 Silver: working a bit on elections yet other than that nothing to report. 2.5.2 Wellman: Spent a good deal of time keeping abreast of SARS situation (and media scare elsewhere), and advising the Exec Committee and the Program Chair. Contributed to the ongoing deliberations of the Executive Committee. 2.6 Appointed Seats (Allen, Shade) 2.6.1 Allen: No report. 2.6.2 Shade: Nothing to report. 2.7 Student Seat (Klastrup) 2.7.1 Nothing to report. 2.8 Publications Officers (Hunsinger, Breindahl) 2.8.1 Hunsinger: worked on election materials worked on election system worked on stopping spam helped with treasurer stuff assorted other things 2.8.2 Breindahl: I am rejecting ever-rising amounts of spam. Otherwise I have the rather modest goal of finishing my dissertation... [Go Charlie! -Sj] 2.9 2003 Conference (Liss Jeffrey, Chair; Matthew Allen, David Mitchell, Program Co-Chairs) 2.9.1 Dr Liss Jeffrey: No report. 2.9.2 Mitchell: No report. 2.10 AoIR Ethics Working Group (Charles Ess, Chair) 2.10.1 The committee has received a paper on Internet research ethics that provides a current overview of the field; happily, the work of the committee and committee members figures prominently in the report. The chair and Steve Jones have received occasional queries over the past few months from aoir members who have specific questions regarding current research projects and local IRB requirements. In at least one instance, consultation with us has helped an aoir member meet IRB questions and objections, and move forward with a proposed research project. The committee encourages aoir members to consult with us in this way - and/or to forward any issues, insights, developments, forthcoming literature, etc., that will help us keep up to date in our discussions of Internet research ethics. 2.11 AoIR Research Annual Working Group (Mia Consalvo, Chair) 2.11.1 The volume has been delivered to the publisher for copy-editing. I have completed various production forms and gathering of other information. We are waiting for the corrected version to come back from the publisher so that we can begin final revisions. 2.12 AoIR Net Resources Working Group (Charlie Breindahl, Chair) 2.12.1 There has been no activity in the 'Net WG.

1 0