library & information science

RDF: Resource Description Framework (a class presentation)

Why should I care about RDF?

Computers can help YOU find stuff easier on the web, because RDF gives computers a better "understanding" of that information.

computer sees vs. human sees

Installing Archivists' Toolkit on a remote MySQL database with Windows

Archivists' Toolkit logoI'm lucky enough to be using Archivists' Toolkit (AT) at my internship with the Atlanta University Center. AT is an open source archival data management system that allows archivists (or graduate interns) to enter the finding aid data for a collection without knowing how to code EAD.

Being a curious person, and a glutton for punishment, I thought I'd try to install and use AT on my Windows Vista laptop and connect to a test MySQL database in my shared web hosting account (at bluehost). I discovered a few gotchas and have, I hope, explained the installation process in a clear, linear way that will help others perform this installation more quickly. Mind you, I came to the realization that AT currently doesn't work on Vista, but the steps are the same for XP.

We don't pay attention to boring things

sleepy headNeed to get users' attention for your web site? Worried about giving boring presentations? Read these helpful ideas from chapter 4 of Medina's book, "Brain Rules" for ideas on getting people's attention in the web development, IA and UX fields. 

Reading and Words on the Web

Scan, don't readSo much of your website is WORDS. Can brain science insights help you to use words better on the web? Read these summaries from chapters 17-21 of Michael Eysenck's book on Fundamentals of Cognition, for a few ideas that are relevant to the web development, IA and UX fields. 

Short term Attention-getters and Long term Brand management

Juggling 7 pieces of infoHow do we get users' attention in the short-term and maintain our brand in the long-term? Read these summaries from chapters 5 and 6 of Medina's book, "Brain Rules" for ideas on how these concepts are relevant to the web development, IA and UX fields. 

Help users to Remember your brand and Take Action on your web site

Juggling multiple=How do users remember (or forget) your brand? How do they learn to use your web site? What causes them to take action on your web site? Read these summaries and reflections from chapters 11-16 and 28 of Eysenck's book, "Fundamentals of Cognition."

Where to research political candidates for elections in DeKalb County, Georgia

DeKalb County sealA detailed follow-up to my introductory post on how to research political candidates, this post lists the best tools for researching candidates and offices for the 2010 election in DeKalb County, Georgia.

For those interested in knowing which offices you'll be voting on in 2010's primary and general elections, I've written posts on elected offices that are county-wide and district-specific for DeKalb.

"Hey, You!" Getting the attention of the unconscious mind in web design

How is research on attention-getting and the unconscious relevant to you, if you're in the web development, IA and UX fields? Read these summaries of the most relevant and interesting thoughts from chapters 1 and 6 in Susan Weinschenk's book, "Neuro Web Design: what makes them click?"
Danger!FoodDon't be evil!

Needs, Entertainment, Decision-making, Overload and other Concepts relevant to information behavior

How do users decide, browse, avoid and assign relevance or entertainment value on the web? What role do needs play in information seeking? Read these summaries and reflections from chapters 4 and 5 of Donald Case's book, "Looking for information" for ideas on how these concepts are relevant to the web development, IA and UX fields. 

How People interact with Information, some theories

How are human information behavior (HIB) theories and models relevant to you if you're in the web development, IA and UX fields? Read these summaries of and reflections on chapters 6 and 7 in Donald Case's book on "Looking for information".