Developing Usable Experiences

Cider anyone? Considering information reuse and flow…in a non-traditional way.

September 18th, 2006 10:58 pm —  211 views

This was going to be a comment to a post by one of the Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) but I decided against it. This blog is a shout into the wind, across the pond if you will…I am the Author and this is an exercise in articulation.

This commentary focuses on the abstract relational characteristics of information as a record derived by the processing of data. In this case, and for reasons of personal resuse, I consider a cider mill. The cider is the record, the apples represent data, and the mill our processing.

This isn’t recommened reading. I’d wager its more dull than my previous post. This blog is to capture and aggregate thoughts into one place…
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A possible consequence of the String Fence experiment

September 14th, 2006 6:58 pm —  905 views

I’ve noticed as of late that all the kids gather across the street in the conjoining yards. Both houses contain young children (like collections) and they have more room to play. Everybody is happy.

Did my fence send this message? Get people to change their behavior? Maybe a little. So I’m recording this to make it a part of my electronic collection of societal observations.

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What constitutes an information resource?

September 14th, 2006 6:37 am —  148 views

How is an information resource defined? Do we define it by how it’s used? Does is help to think of information as a resource and dismiss the seeker?

Work groups as collections? Is a work group an information resource?

Between you, me and this blog, I sure hope it is. It would support the hope behind my Moonlighting as a Student.

This crystallized in my head after classes yesterday. I’m driving home excited about the ideas and the promise of discovery hinted at in lecture and discussions.

The study and use of information from the perspective of librarianship, archivists, and information researchers might provide a pattern that scales. Maybe the approach, the tools that result from and exist in these disciplines might fit some of the Things that Puzzle me.

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Thoughts in preparation for Week 2

September 12th, 2006 5:00 pm —  134 views

* Are there any other contemporary examples of collections that you can think about? How does the aggregation of collections make information more useful for us?

If value and insight are to be found through analysis and study of collections then aggregation of elements must be involved. Though it could be argued that the process of aggregation is not always intentional. Byproducts of existing processes can aggregate contextual elements into collections by virtue of those processes. Note the collections that appear in the back seat of someone that spends a lot of time on the road and observe an aggregated collection that illustrates behavioral and dietary patterns. Whether such an aggregation represents anything useful depends on the context and observational intent. Inadvertent collections can provide unique insights into the social processes and contextual aspects to which they are related and as such can prove useful.

* Why is it important to know the contextual situation surrounding the creation or use of collections? Can you give some examples to substantiate your argument?

Anything taken out of context is prone to misinterpretation. If the circumstances relative to the use of and/or modification of collections aren’t properly understood analytical capacity is undermined and can lead to incomplete or mistaken theories. Take for example the use of version control respositories. If management notices certain files changing that don’t fit into their relative understanding of what “should” be changing then inaccurate assumptions might be made relative to the time being spent by the developer. Only after the context is explored and logical connections made can management rest easy that time is being well spent.

* Carr’s reading presents Libraries and Museums as “Incendiary cultural institutions”. Can you provide another example of a collection that is “incendiary” and explain why it is so?

I’m curious if businesses might be considered “incendiary cultural institutions” or collections that can be “incendiary”. Viewing a business as a focused, goal oriented collection of resources and information might be considered “incendiary” in the sense that new ideas and approaches to problems are constantly pursued thereby encouraging information seeking. Provided the business allows developmental exploration, room to move and explore, the challenge posed by unsolved problems affords the pursuit of greater understanding and exploration of existing collections. The cultural aspects are hard to overlook considering that technical innovation often results from ‘thinking outside the box’.

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SI504 lecture, Hulk Hogan and a Ford Model-T. What kind of collection is that?

September 8th, 2006 10:48 pm —  217 views

Just wanted to respond the first lecture of fall 2006 SI 504 (section?) – Social Systems and Collections. First lecture for me after almost 10 years.

Professor Michael Cohen suggested that the goal of the class (at least as I heard it) was to encourage us as information professionals heading out into the world, to think about information, systems, collections and their dynamics. I’ve been trying to do that since then.

In this week’s lecture, Craig’s List was mentioned. I hadn’t heard of it but looked it up in Firefox and had an idea in about 30 seconds. The site offers something free which is to post supposed things of value to people in specific regions. The problem noted is one of Cruft. Professor Cohen added that while use of the site may be free, it’s value is in the content and because of this interesting things happen. Apparently Craig’s time (there is a Craig he quipped) is taken up marshalling the silly B.S. that it draws (my quip). Craig found an interesting way to make money.

I can appreciate just how easy it can be to offer something like that, technically. As an information professional I saw an opportunity to do what Professor Cohen suggested. Free blogs for everybody!

Speaking of our “Personal Kit”, this is a recent addition to my category of Funny and Interesting Things. It’s about my friend’s 8 year old child genius chatting it up with Hulk Hogan up north at Torch Lake. The story, and you’ll have to judge for yourself, is a funny one, worthy of sharing. I’ll call it, “A curious tale of an 8 year old genius and Hulk Hogan“.

As for the Model-T…another friend of mine is in the process of acquiring a 1926 Ford Model-T. Old cars are simple mechanical systems by today’s comparison but historically interesting collections. It’s up to you if you want to read more about it.

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