April 2004 - Air-L - lists.aoir.org

re: September Project
by Jonathan Sterne 14 Apr '04

14 Apr '04

Dear Maximilian: I hear your criticisms loud and clear. Please understand that right now the US left is in a really tough position. Rhetorically, the right wing has basically asserted complete control over the date and its meaning. If the project wants to reach people who aren't already convinced of its necessity, it needs to engage with discourses like patriotism at some point in order to be heard. While I agree that it's offensive to people outside the US (and I am often offended by expressions of "patriotism" by people who have never met someone from outside the country), I think that's the purpose of bringing up patriotism in the first place. I know it's got to look ugly in light of the US's military aggression of the past four years. It does to me too. And yet, there's also the question of the terms on which one is allow to enter into a public debate in the US. Our political culture, is in my estimation, really messed up. So yeah, you're right. But at the same time, my sense of what David and crew are up to has more to do with rhetorical strategy. I'm hopeful he'll join the conversation as well. Best, --Jonathan PS -- For more on US patriotism, check out an essay I cowrote with some friends on patriotic roadsigns. It's here: http://eserver.org/bs/59/rentschler.html

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the september project: invitation to get involved
by david silver 14 Apr '04

14 Apr '04

Dear everyone, I am aware that I begin most of my emails with a request to forward, distribute, blog, etc. Yet this one comes with a special request: *please* forward, distribute, blog this post as far and wide as possible. We are especially interested in having it reach folks in libraries, information studies, and informatics. Actually, everyone! Here's the plan: On December 18, 2001, by a vote of 407-0, Congress designated September 11th as Patriot Day. We believe the most patriotic gesture citizens can make on this day is to come together in public places like local libraries. Through talks, roundtables, deliberations, and performances, citizens will participate collectively and think creatively about our country, our government, our community, and encourage and support the well-informed voice of the American citizenry. Public libraries provide all citizens open and free access to information. Almost all communities in the US have at least one library. There are over 16,000 public libraries in the US, and that's not including university libraries, K-12 libraries, and church libraries. In other words, libraries constitute an already existing national infrastructure. Moreover, 96% of all public libraries in the US are wired, partly due to the Gates Foundation's successful library initiative. Therefore, libraries also constitute a national and distributed media infrastructure. The September Project has three goals: 1. to coordinate with all libraries -- public, university, research; local, national, global -- to foster multiple public spaces for citizens to come together and participate in events on September 11, 2004; 2. to work with all modes of media -- popular and alternative; streaming/digital media, radio, television, print -- in order to transform local conversations into national and international interactions; 3. to continue doing this annually and internationally on September 11th. The aim of The September Project is to create a day of engagement, a day of community, a day of democracy. Our goal is to foster a tradition for citizens around the world to recognize and give meaning to September 11th. We invite you to visit our web site http://www.theseptemberproject.org and to get involved. Although our initial organizational strategies have been focused primarily on the US, our aim is international. Thank you for your time, david silver

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Web site research studies
by gdtaylor＠uiuc.edu 14 Apr '04

14 Apr '04

Hi Everyone, I am looking for some information and wondering whether any of you might be able to help me out. For my Ph.D. early research study, I am assessing an emerging workplace trend by locating and reviewing information available on organization web sites. I will be collecting qualitative and quantative data from the organization home page and other pages linked to it where information is not password protected. The quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical methodologies. I have been trying to locate other empirical studies where researchers have employed similar data collection and analysis procedures for comparison purposes with respect to methodologies. Do you know anyone who might be conducting research in this manner? If so, I would appreciate your sharing the names of these individuals with me. Thanks! Gail D. Taylor, Graduate Teaching Assistant University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Human Resource Education

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Re: Disability (Matthew J Eliot)
by Sue Cranmer 14 Apr '04

14 Apr '04

Hi Matthew You may find the following sites useful for UK provision: 1) http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/content/home.htm for all disabilities 2) www.rnib.org.uk/technology for those related to sight loss. Cheers Sue Matthew J Eliot wrote: >>I am looking for information, websites, technologies, >>studies etc on disability issue in the context of new >>technologies. I would be grateful if you could >>provide me leads. >> >> --__--__-- _______________________________________________ Air-l mailing list Air-l(a)aoir.org http://www.aoir.org/mailman/listinfo/air-l End of Air-l Digest

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CFP: New Research for New Media - Innovative Research Methodologies :: extended deadline April 30 and confirmed scientific board
by dds＠correu.urv.es 13 Apr '04

13 Apr '04

Call for papers and participation: extended deadline April 30 and confirmed scientific board NEW RESEARCH FOR NEW MEDIA: INNOVATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES Second edition - September 30th to October 2nd 2004 Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) Abstract submission extended deadline: April 30, 2004 Participant application deadline: June 15, 2004 Panel moderators / scientific board: Opening Speech: Nicholas Jankowski (University of Nijmegen, Netherlands) Ethnograpy: Chris Paterson (University of San Francisco, USA) Content and discourse analysis: Susan Herring (Indiana University, USA) Quantitative research: Vicenç Meléndez (Idescat, Catalonia) Historical research: Patrice Flichy (Université Marne-la-Vallée, France) Research ethics: Bruce Henderson (Colorado University, USA) Organizers: Institute for New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota Communication Department of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili Info and application form: http://www.inms.umn.edu/convenings/newresearch_2004/main.htm ================================== DETAILED INFO New media offer both new research techniques and new communication arenas to be studied. This Symposium will bring together researchers who a) use new media technologies to further their existing research methodologies or b) use innovative research methodologies (or rethink traditional methods) to further their research into any aspect of new media. Perspectives from around the world and from several disciplines will meet in a dialog with the goal of sharing experiences. The Institute for New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota and the Communication Department of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili have joined efforts to offer researchers an engaging environment in which to reflect on the craft of new media research. Invited chair persons will summarize the state of the art and selected papers will be presented describing the methodological procedures of actual research projects. Symposium participants will serve as discussants, elevating the examination of these techniques and their implications for research. After a successful and exciting first edition at the University of Minnesota, USA, the Symposium moves to Europe with the aim of broadening the research traditions sharing experiences. The goal is to provide an examination of current practices and an opportunity for reflection on future directions new media research methods might take. Panel participants will be selected based on current research they have conducted. Symposium participants will be selected through application to the event. We will look for a mix of highly credentialed as well as promising new voices in the area of new media research to participate in the workshop. The dynamics of the Symposium will avoid the traditional paper presentations format. Papers will be distributed to all the participants prior to the conference so everyone will be familiar with the research methods that will be discussed. Sessions will be organized in discussion groups, coordinated by a chair person invited by the organizers. Participants will work in small groups to discuss the implications of the research methods presented in terms of ethics, logistics, impact on results, and other open questions about application of this type of research. The reports from the small group discussions will be an important part of the symposiums outcomes. Participants are expected to join all the discussion sessions in order to enrich the debate with his/her own methodological and disciplinary perspective. PANELS *Ethnographic research: Using ethnographic and new research techniques for the study of new media organizations and populations. While ethnographic research means the investigator goes into the field, instead of bringing the field to the investigator, what are the techniques that have been used to identify and study organizations and populations? Use of chat rooms or instant messaging, ways of contacting individuals in populations, technological monitoring techniques for observation of work processes, etc. *Content and Discourse Analysis: Examination of new media messages, communication, web content, etc. Papers could cover different programs or technological aids used in conducting content and discourse analyses as well as the challenges of capturing the "moving target" of online content and communication. *Research Ethics and Issues: New or unusual ethical issues raised in conducting new media research, methods for dealing with human subject concerns, confidentiality and privacy issues, sampling and verifying issues. *Historical Research: Research focused on examination of the evolution of new media. Techniques used to find and analyze earlier forms, methods for anticipating and capturing current media for future examination and comparison. Issues of access to archives of materials. *Quantitative Research: Development of lab experimentation into new media effects, surveying techniques, and other methods for gathering and analyzing quantitively the impact of new media. CALL FOR PAPERS The call for papers for the Symposium is open to any researcher interested in writing a paper on the research method/s used for an actual research project on new media he/she is conducting or has conducted. These papers will focus on the methodology used rather than the outcome of the research. The papers will discuss in depth the methodology, how they came to decide to use that method, challenges faced in the application of the method, and questions they have about effective use of the method. Papers should be 5 to 7 pages long. 20 lines abstracts along with a brief research interests profile should be sent before April 30, 2004 through this webform: http://www.inms.umn.edu/convenings/newresearch_2004/application.htm Notification of acceptance is due by May 15th. Full papers, 5 to 7 pages long, will be delivered before June 15th 2004, once they have been accepted. Approaches from any discipline are welcomed, and diversity will be a criteria in the selection. Communication, socio-technical, psychological, cultural, linguistic, anthropological, sociological and gender studies are examples of possible areas of new media research suitable to be selected. Each of the panels will have a chair person who will select the most insightful papers and will write up a summary of the research status, concerns and challenges of that methodological area. Papers will not be strictly presented at the sessions, which will be focused on discussion. Papers submitted but not assigned to a panel will be able to be presented in a poster session if the papers writer chooses. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION Participation is open to any researcher interested in being part of the discussion, submission of a paper is not necessary. In the interest of creating a dynamic discussion atmosphere, the total number of participants will be limited to 50. Participation applications can be sent before June 15th 2004 through this webform: http://www.inms.umn.edu/convenings/newresearch_2004/application.htm The work language of the Symposium will be English. REGISTRATION FEE 100 euros, includes coffee breaks, lunches and official dinner. People whose papers are selected for the panels will have registration fee waived.

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Website Environment Survey - Need help!
by Samah Ahmed 13 Apr '04

13 Apr '04

Dear Colleagues, For my dissertation, I am examining perceptions of website environment. I am writing to request your help. If you have researched the topics of usability, human-computer interaction, and/or human interface design -- If you have experience with conducting usability tests and/or site evaluations -- If you have designed websites and feel you have gained knowledge from within the process -- If any of these conditions apply to you, I would like your expertise evaluation for one or more websites. It would take only a few minutes to click through a commercial website, complete a short survey and type a few comments. If you are interested or willing to help, please go to the following link http://68.186.191.219/project1/expert.asp For information about the survey please do not hesitate to contact me Samah Ahmed email: ahmedsa(a)auburn.edu Thank you and appreciate you sharing your expertise!! Samah Ahmed Samah H. Ahmed Ph.D. Candidate Department of Consumer Affairs Auburn University Ph. (334) 844-1339 Fax (334) 844-1340

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CATaC'04 - Register before 16 April for discounted fee
by Fay Sudweeks 13 Apr '04

13 Apr '04

*** SAVE and Register Early by 16 April 2004 *** International Conference on CULTURAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION (CATaC'04) 27 June - 1 July 2004, Karlstad, Sweden Conference theme: Off the shelf or from the ground up? ICTs and cultural marginalization, homogenization or hybridization Website: www.it.murdoch.edu.au/catac/ ------------------------------------------------------- This biennial CATaC conference series provides a continuously expanding international forum for the presentation and discussion of current research on how diverse cultural attitudes shape the implementation and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). PROGRAM An exciting program has been arranged, including presenters from Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK and USA. See the conference website for paper details. Ample time is allowed for open discussions at the end of each session. The conference concludes with a workshop the provides initial synthesis and future directions for research and publication. PANELS CATaC’04 also features two particular foci, each chaired by a distinguished colleague who has guided development of the panels. PANEL 1: The Multilingual Internet Panel Chairs: Susan Herring and Brenda Danet This panel focuses on how the Internet impacts language choice and linguistic practices in traditionally non-English speaking cultural contexts. PANEL 2: Utopian Dreams vs. Real-World Conditions: Under what conditions can ICTs really help worse off communities? Panel Chair: Michel Menou This panel focuses on how far ICTs can succeed in supporting culturally-appropriate development, and what appropriate answers to real-world conditions are required in order for our best efforts to realize the liberatory potentials of these technologies not be broken down. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Nina Wakeford, University of Surrey, UK ACCOMMODATION Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Ibis Hotel and Savoy Hotel. CONFERENCE DINNER The conference dinner will be held on Tuesday 29 June, in the restaurant at Rottneros Park (www.rottnerospark.se) The Park is one of the most beautiful flower and sculpture parks in Scandinavia. Rottneros Park is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Karlstad. REGISTRATION Until 16 April, the conference registration fee is USD375 with further discounts for authors (one author discount fee per paper), reviewers, and full-time students. After 16 April, each fee type will increase by USD50. The registration fee includes technical sessions, panels, workshop, conference dinner and transport, reception, proceedings, lunches, morning and afternoon coffees. See the registration form on the conference website for more information and REGISTER NOW. CONTACTS Charles Ess Drury University Tel: 417-873-7230; Fax: 417-873-7435 catac(a)it.murdoch.edu.au Fay Sudweeks Murdoch University Tel: 61-8-9360-2364; Fax: 61-8-9360-2941 catac(a)it.murdoch.edu.au

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disability
by Venkat Rao 12 Apr '04

12 Apr '04

Dear Colleagues, I am looking for information, websites, technologies, studies etc on disability issue in the context of new technologies. I would be grateful if you could provide me leads. regards D. Venkat Rao School of Critical Humanities Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages Hyderabad India 500007 ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner online. http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony/

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Re: Disability
by Matthew J Eliot 12 Apr '04

12 Apr '04

> I am looking for information, websites, technologies, > studies etc on disability issue in the context of new > technologies. I would be grateful if you could > provide me leads. Howdy, It would be great to know if you have a specific context in mind, but here are a few more resources on disability and new technology: 1) Digital disability : the social construction of disability in new media / Gerard Goggin and Christopher Newell. Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, c2003 2) Science and the Disadvantaged / Gregor Wolbring. Available at: http://www.edmonds-institute.org/wolbring.html 3) The Web Accessibility Initiative Homepage: http://www.w3.org/WAI/ 4) Microsoft's accessibility site: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/ 5) The Pew Internet and American Life Project has information on disability and technology sprinkled through several of their reports: http://www.pewinternet.org/index.asp 6) The UW's DO-IT site has info on accessible technologies and education: http://www.washington.edu/doit/ 7) If you have access to the ACM digital library, you can peruse the SIGCAPH site (Special Interest Group on Computers and the Physically Handicapped) at: http://www.acm.org/sigcaph/ or the SIGCHI's special interest group on universal usability (CUU) at: http://www.acm.org/sigs/sigchi/cuu/. Ciao,

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IP3: GLOBALIZATION FORUM, Thursday, April 22, 7:30 PM
by Hans Klein 12 Apr '04

12 Apr '04

============================== GLOBALIZATION FORUM: "Politics, Economics, and IT Outsourcing" Clary Theater, Student Success Center at Georgia Tech Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 PM ============================== With the world focused on Georgia for the G8 Summit in June, issues of globalization are being widely debated. Speakers at this event will address the benefits and concerns about global trade, outsourcing of high-tech jobs, and government-business policy making. The program will feature: * Cynthia McKinney, former 4th District Congresswoman. Ms. McKinney has been praised by Ralph Nader as a champion for consumers and workers and recently spoke at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India. * Donald Ratajczak, Regents Professor Emeritus of Economics at GSU. A nationally known economist and one of the leading econometric forecasters in the country, Ratajczak directs Georgia State's Economic Forecasting Center. * Ravi Kalakota, PhD, co-founder and CEO of the innovation consulting practice, E-Business Strategies. Dr. Kalakota recently published Offshore Outsourcing: Business Models, ROI and Best Practices. This event is co-sponsored by: Georgia Electronic Commerce Association (www.GECA.org) Atlanta Press Club (www.atlpressclub.org) The Internet and Public Policy Project (IP3) coordinates Internet research in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. IP3 promotes dialogue between researchers and policy makers within and outside the Institute, and it organizes public forums for discussion of contemporary policy issues. For more information and directions, see: www.ip3.gatech.edu or send email to IP3(a)IP3.gatech.edu ###

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