Comments for UK Web Focus http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com Reflections on the Web and Web 2.0 Sat, 17 May 2008 01:41:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Sites Which ‘Rip Off’ Marketing Videos by patrick h. lauke http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/sites-which-rip-off-marketing-videos/#comment-65401 patrick h. lauke Fri, 16 May 2008 21:40:42 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=654#comment-65401 dammit kelly, that's pretty much what i thought when i saw that message on the mailing list, but was too lazy to post. it's a marketing video...be grateful if it's being distributed, at no extra cost, to an even wider audience. as long as the site redistributing it isn't claiming ownership and copyright, and the video itself has at least the logo or similar brand mark on it, then it's free publicity...not theft. dammit kelly, that’s pretty much what i thought when i saw that message on the mailing list, but was too lazy to post.

it’s a marketing video…be grateful if it’s being distributed, at no extra cost, to an even wider audience. as long as the site redistributing it isn’t claiming ownership and copyright, and the video itself has at least the logo or similar brand mark on it, then it’s free publicity…not theft.

]]> Comment on Sites Which ‘Rip Off’ Marketing Videos by Paul Walk http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/sites-which-rip-off-marketing-videos/#comment-65397 Paul Walk Fri, 16 May 2008 10:53:14 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=654#comment-65397 Seems like an idea... choosing the right CC license would be important - e.g 'derivatives'? Seems like an idea… choosing the right CC license would be important - e.g ‘derivatives’?

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Rowin’s blog » Blog Archive » Twitter ye not http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65385 Rowin’s blog » Blog Archive » Twitter ye not Wed, 14 May 2008 16:23:03 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65385 [...] Kelly raises the delicate issue of conference wifi etiquette by highlighting complaints made to a live blogger [...] [...] Kelly raises the delicate issue of conference wifi etiquette by highlighting complaints made to a live blogger [...]

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Emma http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65384 Emma Wed, 14 May 2008 13:03:26 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65384 Interesting thoughts .... my personal view, from being both a presenter & a participant, is that I'm more than happy to allow students to use laptops in lectures and/ or to use them in a conference; however, when I'm in the audience, either as a student or at a conference, I tend to wait to see what others are doing, as I know that soe presenters/ lecturers don't like it; and some members of audiences don't. So, I've been attending a series of lectures in the sociology department, when I've not used it. I do find it's a pain not having it in some ways, in other ways, I think that paper makes me think in other ways Interesting thoughts …. my personal view, from being both a presenter & a participant, is that I’m more than happy to allow students to use laptops in lectures and/ or to use them in a conference; however, when I’m in the audience, either as a student or at a conference, I tend to wait to see what others are doing, as I know that soe presenters/ lecturers don’t like it; and some members of audiences don’t. So, I’ve been attending a series of lectures in the sociology department, when I’ve not used it. I do find it’s a pain not having it in some ways, in other ways, I think that paper makes me think in other ways

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Yvonne http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65375 Yvonne Tue, 13 May 2008 13:14:41 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65375 Also, the use of laptops and recording devices makes life much easier for dyslexics. I am okay with note-taking, but my hand aches after an hour or so. Also, the use of laptops and recording devices makes life much easier for dyslexics.

I am okay with note-taking, but my hand aches after an hour or so.

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Vance http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65374 Vance Tue, 13 May 2008 12:56:00 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65374 I think that use of networked laptops at conferences definitely enriches the experience and I believe that a world where they are not the norm is as on its way out as a world I once inhabited (1985) where people new to our dept were given the choice of typewriter or computer with Wordstar. Amazingly (perhaps not to them, but certainly to me) many opted for the typewriters and resisted the computers. I think we are seeing here a vestige of something similar, and it's nice to see that the study shows generally positive response to the interactive potential of wireless. I look forward to the day when it's considered odd NOT to blog about the presentation you're in, or at least twitter it. <a>Vance</a> I think that use of networked laptops at conferences definitely enriches the experience and I believe that a world where they are not the norm is as on its way out as a world I once inhabited (1985) where people new to our dept were given the choice of typewriter or computer with Wordstar. Amazingly (perhaps not to them, but certainly to me) many opted for the typewriters and resisted the computers. I think we are seeing here a vestige of something similar, and it’s nice to see that the study shows generally positive response to the interactive potential of wireless. I look forward to the day when it’s considered odd NOT to blog about the presentation you’re in, or at least twitter it.

Vance

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Neil http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65369 Neil Mon, 12 May 2008 20:33:04 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65369 There are a lot of benefits from having wifi/laptops in the audience, and it does change the balance of power in the room, potentially helping shift from a didactic arrangement where the speaker dominates, to participatory approaches where it's (eg) easier to challenge unsupported assertions. I wrote about this a few years back but, embarrassingly, never put the paper in a repository so now I can't access it. Maybe others can: Jacobs, N. and McFarlane, A., 2005. Conferences as learning communities: some early lessons in using 'back-channel' technologies at an academic conference - distributed intelligence or divided attention? Journal of Computer Assisted Learning,Vol. 21 Issue 5 Page 317 There are a lot of benefits from having wifi/laptops in the audience, and it does change the balance of power in the room, potentially helping shift from a didactic arrangement where the speaker dominates, to participatory approaches where it’s (eg) easier to challenge unsupported assertions. I wrote about this a few years back but, embarrassingly, never put the paper in a repository so now I can’t access it. Maybe others can: Jacobs, N. and McFarlane, A., 2005. Conferences as learning communities: some early lessons in using ‘back-channel’ technologies at an academic conference - distributed intelligence or divided attention? Journal of Computer Assisted Learning,Vol. 21 Issue 5 Page 317

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Chris http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65368 Chris Mon, 12 May 2008 12:27:59 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65368 To be fair, some people in conferences touch-type like they're on a 1950s typewriter in need of a new ink ribbon. For them (not necessarily Doug, I should add!) they've just found a new device to be irritating with in a small room. If they didn't have that, they'd be tapping their foot against the back of your chair. The right thing to do is to politely tell them - as adults you should really be able to police yourselves without banning things... To be fair, some people in conferences touch-type like they’re on a 1950s typewriter in need of a new ink ribbon. For them (not necessarily Doug, I should add!) they’ve just found a new device to be irritating with in a small room. If they didn’t have that, they’d be tapping their foot against the back of your chair. The right thing to do is to politely tell them - as adults you should really be able to police yourselves without banning things…

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Dave Pattern http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65367 Dave Pattern Mon, 12 May 2008 11:52:44 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65367 When travelling on trains, I'm always fascinated by the range of laptop typing styles. One businessman recently managed to type so loudly, he might as well have been pounding the table with his fists :-D It's the same with mobile phones -- some people "want" the entire coach to hear their conversation! Like Doug, I find writing by hand uncomfortable after a few minutes (the curse of using a keyboard for so many years!), so I always take notes on a laptop during sessions. At a US conference I attended a few years ago, during one of the sessions, the entire front two rows were full of knitting librarians. I assumed they'd stop once the session started, but no! -- they clackerty-clacked all the way though! Perhaps they were knitting their notes (isn't that what Madame Defarge did?) When travelling on trains, I’m always fascinated by the range of laptop typing styles. One businessman recently managed to type so loudly, he might as well have been pounding the table with his fists :-D It’s the same with mobile phones — some people “want” the entire coach to hear their conversation!

Like Doug, I find writing by hand uncomfortable after a few minutes (the curse of using a keyboard for so many years!), so I always take notes on a laptop during sessions.

At a US conference I attended a few years ago, during one of the sessions, the entire front two rows were full of knitting librarians. I assumed they’d stop once the session started, but no! — they clackerty-clacked all the way though! Perhaps they were knitting their notes (isn’t that what Madame Defarge did?)

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Michael Webb http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65366 Michael Webb Mon, 12 May 2008 11:25:54 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65366 Slightly tongue-in-cheek, but you say "When I run workshop sessions, for example, I make it clear that laptops should only be used for purposes relevant to the session" - why? Do you insist the same for people's paper note books (ie do you have a 'no doodling' rule??? It's seems we are all getting better at multitasking, so what's wrong with a little IM if it's not affecting anyone else? I'm intrigued about the complaints about Doug's typing - does he have a particularly loud keyboard? I've not heard anyone complain about typing noise for years! Banning laptops is no option! Turning sound off is common sense, and being online can add huge amount, and will add even more as people get use to how to use technology - googling topics to find out more, del.ici.iousing relevant sites to share with colleagues are straightforward examples, and real time chat beats whispering to the person next to you any time. Have a look at David Harrison's posting here for reflections on use of technology at the recent efsym2008: http://diharrison.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/reflections-upon-efsym2008/ Slightly tongue-in-cheek, but you say “When I run workshop sessions, for example, I make it clear that laptops should only be used for purposes relevant to the session” - why? Do you insist the same for people’s paper note books (ie do you have a ‘no doodling’ rule??? It’s seems we are all getting better at multitasking, so what’s wrong with a little IM if it’s not affecting anyone else?

I’m intrigued about the complaints about Doug’s typing - does he have a particularly loud keyboard? I’ve not heard anyone complain about typing noise for years!

Banning laptops is no option! Turning sound off is common sense, and being online can add huge amount, and will add even more as people get use to how to use technology - googling topics to find out more, del.ici.iousing relevant sites to share with colleagues are straightforward examples, and real time chat beats whispering to the person next to you any time.

Have a look at David Harrison’s posting here for reflections on use of technology at the recent efsym2008:

http://diharrison.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/reflections-upon-efsym2008/

]]> Comment on How Rude! Use Of WiFi Networks At Conferences by Tony Hirst http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/how-rude-use-of-wifi-networks-at-conferences/#comment-65363 Tony Hirst Mon, 12 May 2008 08:42:35 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=646#comment-65363 Interesting results Brian. Out of interest, how come you didn't show a chart? One way would be to generate a chart automatically using some sort of progressive enhancement. e.g. these <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychemedia/2485266495/" title="Photo Sharing" rel="nofollow">pie charts of your data</a> were generated using slightly tweaked code (to cope with the data-in-rows table layout) based on Christian Heilmann's <a href="http://icant.co.uk/sandbox/datatable-to-chart/index.html" rel="nofollow">Generating charts from accessible data tables using the Google Chart API</a>. (Okay, so the 3D effect and colouring of these charts is maybe a bit misleading... a stacked bar chart would perhaps be better? but it is just an off-the-shelf demo!) (More examples at <a href="http://blogs.open.ac.uk/Maths/ajh59/014014.html" rel="nofollow">Progressive Enhancement - Some Examples</a>) Interesting results Brian. Out of interest, how come you didn’t show a chart?

One way would be to generate a chart automatically using some sort of progressive enhancement.

e.g. these pie charts of your data were generated using slightly tweaked code (to cope with the data-in-rows table layout) based on Christian Heilmann’s Generating charts from accessible data tables using the Google Chart API.

(Okay, so the 3D effect and colouring of these charts is maybe a bit misleading… a stacked bar chart would perhaps be better? but it is just an off-the-shelf demo!)

(More examples at Progressive Enhancement - Some Examples)

]]> Comment on Twitter Saves Lives! The Backlash Must be Due by David Williams http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/twitter-saves-lives-the-backlash-must-be-due/#comment-65348 David Williams Fri, 09 May 2008 16:12:08 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=659#comment-65348 Interestingly, if you do follow the downingstreet twitter, they follow you. Not sure where I stand on that. Interestingly, if you do follow the downingstreet twitter, they follow you. Not sure where I stand on that.

]]> Comment on Twitter Saves Lives! The Backlash Must be Due by Alison Wildish http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/twitter-saves-lives-the-backlash-must-be-due/#comment-65346 Alison Wildish Fri, 09 May 2008 12:51:25 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=659#comment-65346 I can imagine Twitter being a really effective tool for stalking or even burgling... I can see a story in relation to that! I am still intrigued and baffled at the level of personal information twittered (or is it tweeted?!). As someone who neeeded to be convinced it was 'useful' I am a fan now... I wouldn't have known about the EduServ symposium yesterday if it wasn't for Twitter and it's great for getting answers to questions quickly! I can imagine Twitter being a really effective tool for stalking or even burgling… I can see a story in relation to that! I am still intrigued and baffled at the level of personal information twittered (or is it tweeted?!).

As someone who neeeded to be convinced it was ‘useful’ I am a fan now… I wouldn’t have known about the EduServ symposium yesterday if it wasn’t for Twitter and it’s great for getting answers to questions quickly!

]]> Comment on Twitter Saves Lives! The Backlash Must be Due by Martin http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/twitter-saves-lives-the-backlash-must-be-due/#comment-65339 Martin Fri, 09 May 2008 08:14:59 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=659#comment-65339 The one where someone gets the sack/refused entry to college/has career ruined because they inappropriately tweet something. Although these dramatic stories are interesting, they aren't the real benefit of Twitter - that's in it's everyday use. What they highlight is that the person's network is what they turn to in a crisis. The one where someone gets the sack/refused entry to college/has career ruined because they inappropriately tweet something.
Although these dramatic stories are interesting, they aren’t the real benefit of Twitter - that’s in it’s everyday use. What they highlight is that the person’s network is what they turn to in a crisis.

]]> Comment on “Even If We’re Wrong, We’re Right” by Scott O'Raw http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/even-if-were-wrong-were-right/#comment-65336 Scott O'Raw Thu, 08 May 2008 18:15:48 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=657#comment-65336 Hi Brian, Just echoing Martin's sentiments here and to say that the debate is definitely enriched by your "caring" approach, as Martin puts it. It's all too easy to get swept away with the hype and imagine the digital utopia that technology offers. But <i>something</i>, I feel, has happened / is happening. I'll leave to the current poster boy of social media, Clay Shirky, to sum up better than I ever could: "Here's something four-year-olds know: A screen that ships without a mouse ships broken. Here's something four-year-olds know: Media that's targeted at you but doesn't include you may not be worth sitting still for. Those are things that make me believe that this is a one-way change. Because four year olds, the people who are soaking most deeply in the current environment, who won't have to go through the trauma that I have to go through of trying to unlearn a childhood spent watching Gilligan's Island, they just assume that media includes consuming, producing and sharing." Scott. P.S. Thanks for reading my post and quoting me. I am more than a little chuffed! :D Hi Brian,

Just echoing Martin’s sentiments here and to say that the debate is definitely enriched by your “caring” approach, as Martin puts it. It’s all too easy to get swept away with the hype and imagine the digital utopia that technology offers.

But something, I feel, has happened / is happening. I’ll leave to the current poster boy of social media, Clay Shirky, to sum up better than I ever could:

“Here’s something four-year-olds know: A screen that ships without a mouse ships broken. Here’s something four-year-olds know: Media that’s targeted at you but doesn’t include you may not be worth sitting still for. Those are things that make me believe that this is a one-way change. Because four year olds, the people who are soaking most deeply in the current environment, who won’t have to go through the trauma that I have to go through of trying to unlearn a childhood spent watching Gilligan’s Island, they just assume that media includes consuming, producing and sharing.”

Scott.

P.S. Thanks for reading my post and quoting me. I am more than a little chuffed! :D

]]> Comment on “Even If We’re Wrong, We’re Right” by Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/even-if-were-wrong-were-right/#comment-65331 Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) Thu, 08 May 2008 08:14:13 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=657#comment-65331 Hi Martin - You didn't come across as argumentative in our Twitter discussion - we're both aware of the limitations of the technology. And your post has helped clarify my understanding. Cheers! Hi Martin - You didn’t come across as argumentative in our Twitter discussion - we’re both aware of the limitations of the technology. And your post has helped clarify my understanding. Cheers!

]]> Comment on “Even If We’re Wrong, We’re Right” by Martin http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/even-if-were-wrong-were-right/#comment-65330 Martin Thu, 08 May 2008 08:05:03 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=657#comment-65330 Hi Brian - I apologise for not expressing myself well on Twitter when we had the initial exchange. It made me appreciate the limitations of 140 characters and I think I came across as a bit aggressive or argumentative, which wasn't my intention. That's why we need blogs, to explain things in more detail. I don't disagree with your approach - I wouldn't say it was cautious but more that it was caring, you want to bring people with you and so have carefully considered their objections. I think this is the right thing to do - especially for IT services people who have to ensure all the dull stuff we observers can ignore, like uptime, reliability, etc. As Tony says on my blog, what I was arguing was really just a case of Amara's Law "We tend to overestimate the short term effect of a technology and underestimate its long term effect." Your last sentence sums it up prefectly. Hi Brian - I apologise for not expressing myself well on Twitter when we had the initial exchange. It made me appreciate the limitations of 140 characters and I think I came across as a bit aggressive or argumentative, which wasn’t my intention. That’s why we need blogs, to explain things in more detail. I don’t disagree with your approach - I wouldn’t say it was cautious but more that it was caring, you want to bring people with you and so have carefully considered their objections. I think this is the right thing to do - especially for IT services people who have to ensure all the dull stuff we observers can ignore, like uptime, reliability, etc. As Tony says on my blog, what I was arguing was really just a case of Amara’s Law “We tend to overestimate the short term effect of a technology and underestimate its long term effect.” Your last sentence sums it up prefectly.

]]> Comment on Does Web 2.0 Herald The End Of In-House Development And Provision Of IT Services? by software development company http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/does-web-20-herald-the-end-of-in-house-development-and-provision-of-it-services/#comment-65295 software development company Wed, 07 May 2008 11:21:48 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/does-web-20-herald-the-end-of-in-house-development-and-provision-of-it-services/#comment-65295 Every sector is reaping the benefits of Web 2.0.The critics should rather target how it has been a boon in the research areas rather than picking out what went wrong.Suggestion for its improvement have to be given to make it a more successful in IT services. Every sector is reaping the benefits of Web 2.0.The critics should rather target how it has been a boon in the research areas rather than picking out what went wrong.Suggestion for its improvement have to be given to make it a more successful in IT services.

]]> Comment on How Blogs Can Help Museums To Engage With Their Users by Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/how-blogs-can-help-museums-to-engage-with-their-users/#comment-65243 Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) Tue, 06 May 2008 19:22:40 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=645#comment-65243 Thanks Roddy, link fixed. Thanks Roddy, link fixed.

]]> Comment on How Blogs Can Help Museums To Engage With Their Users by Roddy MacLeod http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/how-blogs-can-help-museums-to-engage-with-their-users/#comment-65240 Roddy MacLeod Tue, 06 May 2008 19:11:10 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=645#comment-65240 Brian, The link to http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/abstracts/prg_335001837.html seems to be broken, yet it sounds like an interesting session. Brian,

The link to http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/abstracts/prg_335001837.html seems to be broken, yet it sounds like an interesting session.

]]> Comment on A Wonderful Discovery by Phil Nash http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/a-wonderful-discovery/#comment-65203 Phil Nash Tue, 06 May 2008 08:07:42 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=635#comment-65203 As Roddy says above, I read somewhere that smoking breaks are the cross departmental networking opportunity and that, since the smoking ban has removed such communal areas as the smoking room, all that chat has now gone leaving businesses worse off. In the corporate world they are now considering replacing this by rolling their own social networks within an intranet in order to get people talking again. A simple tea break seems far easier and less costly though, as does allowing employees to use social networks that already exist (as long as it's mostly for work purposes, can't have employees on Facebook all day). As Roddy says above, I read somewhere that smoking breaks are the cross departmental networking opportunity and that, since the smoking ban has removed such communal areas as the smoking room, all that chat has now gone leaving businesses worse off. In the corporate world they are now considering replacing this by rolling their own social networks within an intranet in order to get people talking again. A simple tea break seems far easier and less costly though, as does allowing employees to use social networks that already exist (as long as it’s mostly for work purposes, can’t have employees on Facebook all day).

]]> Comment on The Guardian’s “Libraries of the Future” Supplement by Library Views 圖書館觀點 » Libraries Unleashed http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/the-guardians-libraries-of-the-future-supplement/#comment-65172 Library Views 圖書館觀點 » Libraries Unleashed Mon, 05 May 2008 22:28:47 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=638#comment-65172 [...] Brian Kelly [...] [...] Brian Kelly [...]

]]> Comment on Should We “Leave Search To Google?” by Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/why-dont-we-leave-search-to-google/#comment-65134 Brian Kelly (UK Web Focus) Mon, 05 May 2008 09:36:00 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=636#comment-65134 Hi Mia - I've also noticed Wordpress unexpectedly turning punctuation into smileys. And I can't see the interface for editing your post - which was easily found before Wordpress updated their admin interface. Hi Mia - I’ve also noticed WordPress unexpectedly turning punctuation into smileys. And I can’t see the interface for editing your post - which was easily found before WordPress updated their admin interface.

]]> Comment on Is Accessibility 2.0 Becoming Mainstream? by Ruth http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/is-accessibility-20-becoming-mainstream/#comment-65133 Ruth Mon, 05 May 2008 09:28:29 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=644#comment-65133 Changing culture, that's the hard part! Encouraging interaction with those who need websites to be accessible? By holding forums with those affected by inaccessibility?? The issue is partly that everybody can be a webdeveloper these days and not everyone knows about the issues involved. The great thing about the internet is that it can be changed, we just need to be open to criticism and be willing to be involved in changing it for everyone. Glad the conference was good. I was too late to apply for funding to go! Changing culture, that’s the hard part! Encouraging interaction with those who need websites to be accessible? By holding forums with those affected by inaccessibility?? The issue is partly that everybody can be a webdeveloper these days and not everyone knows about the issues involved. The great thing about the internet is that it can be changed, we just need to be open to criticism and be willing to be involved in changing it for everyone.

Glad the conference was good. I was too late to apply for funding to go!

]]> Comment on Should We “Leave Search To Google?” by Mia http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/why-dont-we-leave-search-to-google/#comment-65131 Mia Mon, 05 May 2008 09:26:17 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=636#comment-65131 It looks like some text was converted into a smiley! That was meant to be "is not 'Spain' ) " It looks like some text was converted into a smiley! That was meant to be “is not ‘Spain’ ) “

]]> Comment on Should We “Leave Search To Google?” by Mia http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/why-dont-we-leave-search-to-google/#comment-65091 Mia Sun, 04 May 2008 10:10:04 +0000 http://ukwebfocus.wordpress.com/?p=636#comment-65091 I think the benefit is in providing structured data that can be understood semantically (Picasso is a person, Guernica is the title of a painting as well as a place but is more likely to mean the painting if the other search term is not 'Spain') and searched intelligently rather than a silo of museum search results. I suspect the average search engine user is 'museum agnostic' - they don't care where the object is held, and they're probably not even thinking of it as a 'museum object' - it's just 'that picture with the goldy bits that everyone has a print of in college' or they've read 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' and want to know what a Grecian urn looks like. Our idea of 'collection data' is a lot more specific than their idea of 'information', and we should get our data out to general users rather than hoping they'll come visit our silo. Re: GoogleArt - where would that leave history or science museums? I think the benefit is in providing structured data that can be understood semantically (Picasso is a person, Guernica is the title of a painting as well as a place but is more likely to mean the painting if the other search term is not ‘Spain’) and searched intelligently rather than a silo of museum search results.

I suspect the average search engine user is ‘museum agnostic’ - they don’t care where the object is held, and they’re probably not even thinking of it as a ‘museum object’ - it’s just ‘that picture with the goldy bits that everyone has a print of in college’ or they’ve read ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ and want to know what a Grecian urn looks like. Our idea of ‘collection data’ is a lot more specific than their idea of ‘information’, and we should get our data out to general users rather than hoping they’ll come visit our silo.

Re: GoogleArt - where would that leave history or science museums?

]]>