talking with alex

talking with alex

Talking to the Digital Natives

In the last year the hot topic on the digital conference circuit has been Generation X and Generation Y, about how the digital natives will enter the workplace with new skills, new expectations and new demands. Amidst rather gloom laden projections of the 80m baby boomers retiring (between now and 2019) are the challenges in changing work and organization to fit the new expectations of the new generation of employees.

However the statistics lie. For the workplace of 2019 there are more people currently at work today, (ie anyone under the age of 42) than the new workforce of Gen X & Gen Y. The challenge is not just to ask what the new generations will do to our organizations but what our organizations will do to the new organizations?

Our thinking started with a perception of 2 very different worlds – a corporate world, rich in proprietary technology and expert at talking to itself and staffed by mid-term careerists. The second not-for-profit world, intimately connected to its environment, exploiting free and commodity technology and staffed by idealists and volunteers. Historically a very stark contrast! In the past these worlds could afford to keep a professional and operational distance, but now driven by the forces of globalisation, social responsibility agenda and technology the worlds are coming together. Our target was that the worlds could learn together.

The web 2 ‘poster children’ Wikipedia or Facebook represent a tremendous mobilisation and coordination of the volunteer sector, the availability and ubiquity of information technology provides the ‘workplace’ for this resource, interest and passion form the contract of employment and the grand world challenges the invisible hand of coordination. How can these three forces be used in the commercial sector?

Our design intention was to mimic the world we wished to engage – viral and guerilla marketing, technologically savvy and advanced, incentives and recognition of the individual, a worthy cause and a worthwhile objective – the very factors attractive to Gen X and Gen Yers.

During the summer of 2008 we organized an open, international competition for information innovation in the not-for-profit sector. The prize, and the context for the work, was an open evening where the innovators could ‘pitch’ their ideas at a social learning event. In contrast to the traditional ‘top-down’ conference learning from gurus we aimed for a ‘bottom-up’ event learning from the Gen X/Y.

This paper discusses the experiences in organising a Gen X/Y event for corporates, how to attract the right contributors, how to generate the right conversations and how to exploit the technology in your company.

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RSS Meta Project

I need to cover the following aspects which are elements of an RSS architecture:-

  • Store & Forward and batch processing – RSS allows many options in a transcluded shim based architecture. We can produce a layered architecture
  • Semantic degradation – because RSS is semantically aware we can apply content level filtering and ‘gracefully’ degrade the composition of the source feed just like that product from the BL.
  • RSS provides a level of safety, scalability and security to your data architectures, data warehousing but in a continuous flow paradigm
  • RSS needs provenance and version management – think of the widgets that don’t work or break and white listing
  • Public & private data – we are rapidly in need of a requirement to provide a blended public and private architectures
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An example of article layout

I. B. Ecologist 1, U. R. Scientist 2, and E. B.
Smith 2

1 Bioinformatics, Fort Knox University

Fort Knox, USA

Email:
ecologist@fortknox.gov

2 Environmental and Information
Science, Charles Sturt University

PO Box 789, Albury NSW 2640 AUSTRALIA

Email:
{uscientist, esmith}@csu.edu.au

Abstract

This template demonstrates how to prepare your paper. It
includes examples of the formatting to use and provides a framework
into which you can cut and paste your own material. Use style tags as
shown here for the title, author(s), abstract, section headings,
references, and other features. Leave two blank lines between the
email and abstract and one blank line before the section heading. Cut
and paste the section headings to ensure the correct formats are
used.

1. Introduction

This pre-set format has been provided to authors to standardise the
structure of papers, to assist in the automation of the print and
online production, and last but not least, to assist authors in
preparing their papers. Note we cannot provide a formatting service;
authors should provide their manuscripts in the prescribed format.
Poorly formatted manuscripts will be returned to authors for
correction.

All ms’s should be formatted according to the instructions
provided here. Use the style tags provided to format paragraphs.
Avoid ad hoc changes to font and paragraph format unless absolutely
necessary.

2. Document Structure

Papers should conform to the normal structure for journal papers. The
title area should include:

  • Title: Only first word capitalised. Use Paper Title style
    tag.

  • Author(s): Use Author style tag.

  • Affiliation(s): Use Address style tag.

  • Postal address(es): Set out as shown (in order of authors).

  • Email address(es): Set out as shown (in order of authors).

The remainder of the paper should be divided into sections, each
clearly indicated by a heading. The sections should include:

  • Abstract – This should be a concise summary of the problem,
    main findings and significance, in no more than 250 words.

  • Introduction – This should state the problem that you address,
    as well as explaining the relevant context, background and
    significance.

  • …other sections as required…

  • Discussion or Conclusion

  • Acknowledgements (if any)

  • References

Sections should be numbered, as shown here, except for the Abstract,
Acknowledgements and References.

2.1 Quotations

As a general rule, short quotations should be contained within the
text – enclosed within quotation marks. “This is an example of
a short quotation”.

Those exceeding 30 words should be set separately and indented.
Quoted matter indented in this way should NOT be enclosed within
quotation marks. A space should be inserted above and below matter
set separately from the text.

This is an example of a quotation that exceeds 30
words. To successfully apply this type of style you should use the
Quote style tag supplied with the template.

2.2 Lists

2.2.1 Ordered Lists

Ordered lists should be inserted using the following techniques.

  1. Use the List (ordered) style tag supplied with the template,

  2. Use the numbering format tool in 12pt.

2.2.2 Unordered Lists

Unordered lists should be inserted using the following techniques.

  • Use the List (unordered) style tag supplied with the
    template,

  • Use the bullets format tool to select different bullets for sublists
    (if needed).

3. Headings and Paragraphing

Use the Head1 tag to indicate sections. Consecutively number
section headings using Arabic numerals (as shown here). Use the
Firstpar style tag for the first paragraph of each section and
subsection.

Use italics for emphasis. Main text should be in the Normal
style tag. Avoid ending the page with a heading or sub-heading. Do
not end a page with one or more blank lines except to avoid widow
headings or the end of the paper. Avoid starting a page with an
incomplete line. Avoid digressing from agreed fonts and styles. Avoid
underlining headings, sub-headings, titles, figures, captions or
legends. Avoid using footnotes.

3.1 Level 2 headings

Consecutively number level 2 headings in Arabic numerals. These
headings should be in Head2 style tag (bold, italic, in 14pt.
and flushed left). Allow one blank line above and below headings.

3.1.1 Level 3 Headings

Please consecutively number level 3 headings in Arabic numerals.
These headings should be in Head3 style tag (bold, italic, in
12pt. and flushed left). Allow one blank line above and below
headings.

4. Tables and Figures

4.1 Tables

Tables should be created using the Insert Table tool provided
with Microsoft Word. This
will ensure that correct formatting is maintained during the
conversion process. The use of the tab key or fixed spaces to create
a table is unacceptable.

Table 1. Captions should be set immediately above the table.

COLUMN 1

COLUMN 2

COLUMN 3

Tables must contain alpha-numeric elements only; and
no graphical elements.

They must be numbered consecutively in Arabic
numerals.

Place explanatory notes below the table.

Allow one blank line before inserting a table, and
one to the following text or heading.

They are usually set in type smaller than the
accompanying text.

Avoid references such as ‘the table below’.

4.2 Figures

Here are some details regarding the presentation of figures. Use
consecutive numbering. Captions must be centred beneath the figures.
Position figures close to where they are first mentioned in the text.
Do not assemble them at the end of the article.

In addition to their insertion in the manuscript, submit copies of
figures as separate GIF files for line art images and JPEG files for
photographs, in the size and shape to be presented in the document,
on disc. All images should be provided in a compressed image format
that is readable by standard World Wide Web browsers.

The editors do not provide an image conversion service. Authors
should convert images themselves and should make every effort to
reduce images to be as small as possible, without becoming
unreadable. Where applicable images should also be saved with a
transparent background. If you find that this transparency detracts
from the clarity of the image the original background will be
acceptable.

Unless there are good reasons for providing large images, they should
be scaled to fit as small, images within the text (as in Fig. 1).
Allow one blank line before inserting a figure, and a blank line to
the following text or heading.

Figure 1. Captions must be provided for figures.

4.2.1 Referencing figures

Number figures consecutively using Arabic numerals and cite them by
number in the text (eg Fig. 1).

4.3 Multimedia elements

Multimedia elements apply only for digital and online publication.
They include coloured images, diagrams and photographs, animations,
video, sound, etc. All elements should be provided as separate files,
and in appropriate common formats. Interactive or processing elements
(eg java, javascript) should also be provided as separate files,
together with examples of how they are incorporated.

4.4 Hypertext links

Wherever possible treat hypertext links as references and include
them in the bibliography. Try to avoid links to ephemeral sites or
services.

5. Equations

Any equations included in your paper should be prepared either by
using the Equation Editor or by including images. Leave one line
above and below the equation. If you have already saved your
equations as images then they may be inserted into the document as
per section 4.2. Here is an example.

(1)

Number all the equations that you need to refer to and cite them by
number (eg Eq. 1).

6. Theorems, etc.

Set out theorems using the Theorem & Theorem Title
styles, as shown here. Number all theorems consecutively and refer to
them using the numbers you assign (eg Theorem 1}.

Theorem 1

This is an example of text set out as a theorem.

6.1 Source code

Set out computer programs, and other source listings using verbatim
style.

This is an
example of verbatim style.

This is
line 2.

This is
line 3.

7. Citations, References and
Bibliography

Please use the Harvard System of referencing. Some examples are
provided below, and beneath the reference heading at the end of this
‘paper’.

7.1 Examples of the citing format

To cite a publication from your list of references use the codes that
you give them and be consistent throughout. For instance to cite a
paper by Baker and Grigg, you would use the citation Baker and Grigg
(1977).

7.1.1 Personal communications

Personal communications include any verbal or informal written
information (such as letters) you have gained from another person.
You should list any personal communications under a separate heading
at the end of your reference list.

8. Discussion and Conclusion

Your article should finish with a section titled Discussion (if
assessing results) or Conclusion (if summing).

Acknowledgements

Here place any acknowledgements that you need or want to make. Avoid
terse lists. Ensure that you write full sentences. For example “I
am indebted to Fred Nurk for editing a draft.” “I thank
the University for its support.” “Part of this work was
supported by a grant.”

References

The entries should appear in alphabetical order.

Please use the Harvard System of referencing and pay careful
consideration to the way references are formatted. Skip one line
before the list and note carefully the style used below for
referencing various publications.

Barker
J. & Grigg G. (1977), A field guide to Australian frogs,
Rigby, Adelaide.

Bren L.
J., Flinn D. W., Hopmans P. & Leitch C. J. (1979), The
hydrology of small forested catchment in north-eastern Victoria
,
Bulletin No. 27, Forests Commission Victoria, Melbourne.

Brown J.
(1991), The socio-politics of flaky bits in Australian archaeology.
Paper presented to the Australasian Archaeology Conference, Sydney
(unpublished).

Byrne D.
(1983), Aboriginal sites in Wadbilliga National Park: a preliminary
investigation, Report to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife
Service (unpublished).

Crowther
C. (1992), Why databases do not live up to promise, The Australian 23
July: 10.

CSU
(1994), Complexity On Line, Charles Sturt University URL:
http://life.csu.edu.au/complex/

Fetzer
J.H. (1988), Program verification: the very idea! Communications of
the ACM 31(9): 1048-1063.

Jones P.
(1989), Historical sites in the Wodonga region, Report to the
Victoria Archaeological Survey, The Johnstone Centre, Charles Sturt
University, Albury.

Loyn
R.H. (1985), Ecology, distribution and density of birds in Victorian
forests, in Birds of eucalypt forests and woodlands: ecology,
distribution, conservation and management, (eds) A. Keast, H. Ford,
H. Recher & D. Saunders (eds), Surrey-Beatty & Sons, Sydney.

Metzeling
L. H. (1977), An investigation of the distribution of aquatic
macro-invertebrates found in streams flowing through areas with
differing amounts of vegetation cover, B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, Monash
University, Melbourne.

NATMAP
(1983), Bogong sheet 8324, Natmap, Canberra.

Spennemann
D.H.R. (1995), The virtual past (homepage), The Johnstone Centre,
Charles Sturt University, Albury.
http://life.csu.edu.au/virtpast/virtpast.html

Tietenberg
T. (1992), Environmental and natural resource economics, 3rd edn,
Harper Collins, New York.

Victoria
College (1988), Managing business strategy: developing competitive
advantage, TSU Publications, Burwood (video).

Williams
P.L. (1991), Guidelines for the design of computer interfaces in
executive information systems, Monash University, Melbourne
(unpublished).

Appendix 1

Place any additional technical or reference matter at the end in
numbered appendices. Refer to each appendix by number in the text.
Examples of material includes data sets, source listings and other
material that is essential, but would clutter up the flow of the main
discussion.

– 1 –

https://computiv.net/34

Semantic degradation Integrit…

Semantic degradation
Integrity of the data set
Semi public, semi private data
Fully featured but some data fields scrambled

finalising my web 2.0 paper fo…

finalising my web 2.0 paper for online information 2008 which will debut the rule of 3

working on web 2.0 paper for o…

working on web 2.0 paper for online information 2008

Beyond Usability: Understanding The Psychology of Good Information Design

Anyone following the history of technology will recognise a consistent set of patterns in the progress and use of technology – common patterns seemingly apply to every technology. This is a reflection not of the detail of the technology but our understanding of it. Anyone familiar with psychology will recognize the four stages of competence – unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence. Similar patterns are recognized in our use of technology and our ability to ‘get to terms’ with the next great thing.

Much has been written on the success of Amazon or Google but perhaps their greatest innovation is to operate a significant, international consumer focused business without a legion of customer service representatives. The great strength of the behemoths of the information industry is that they have avoided the fatal conspiracy of customer service – more users positively add to their accumulated experience without demanding a growing service cost. Project forward the economic simplicity of Google Docs with the Achilles heal of Microsoft Office, products replete with instruction manuals, idiot guides, help services etc.

As with good software design the finished product is a mixture of good design and good testing. Testing, and usability testing in particular, validates the ease of use but it is in design that the true innovation occurs. Testing is always good but no amount of testing will substitute for bad design.

Leading writers such as Rolf Jensen [in the Dream Society] and BJ Fogg [in his writings on Persuasive Technology] employ techniques from Industrial Psychology in the design of new products and services. Equally the early thinkers on learning, such as Jerome Bruner and Seymour Pappert, established clear principles for promoting learning. Seemingly little of their thinking appears to have moved across to good information design.

Based upon experiences of technology implementations this paper will introduce the concept of ‘shadow protocols’ or how much of our information delivery and conventions are driven by unarticulated norms and expectations. These ‘shadow protocols’ are used by successful organizations as a key asset: husbanded, invested and changed with great care. Almost accidentally shadow protocols can become fixed elements of a product and service which can drive market and commercial success.

This paper outlines the psychology behind information design, it introduces some key examples of ‘shadow protocols’ driving the information industry today and suggests methods by which organizations can enhance or replicate essential shadow protocols for commercial success.

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