“In their influential paper, Dervin and Nilan compared and contrasted the ‘traditional’ and ‘alternative’ paradigms for human information behaviour research, highlighting the inadequacies of the former and promoting the importance of the latter. In this paper, we argue that the two paradigms are not irreconcilable. We offer a research framework that allows qualitative and quantitative views of the same problem to be combined using systems models. We demonstrate how this approach can be used to reconcile the six key differences between the two paradigms as argued by Dervin and Nilan.” (David Johnstone et al. – Information Research July 2004) – courtesy of chris mcevoy

“This survey compares 10 web sites through elements of their layout: styles, page construction and elements. The survey seeks similarities and differences between those well known web sites, built by famous, talented designers. What can be observed is that those web sites agree on implicit, internalized layout and design norms (Consensus rate), and that deviance from these rules (Dissidence rate) is uncommon.” (François Briatte) – courtesy of douglas bowman

“Problems start when forms are forgotten or not given the attention they require. Forms are not seen as exciting or prestigious when compared to a glossy brochure, so they are often left with no owner or person responsible for them, which leads to inconsistency and confusion.” (Lift)

“The sites often made it hard for users to find policies on particular topics due to poor information design, such as structure and labelling, and poor interaction and visual design, where it was unclear where links were taking the user.” (ZDNet Australia)

“If brand loyalty is best measured by gut feeling then there are few better ways to test its strength than when a customer requires support, because that’s when feelings are high. Today, most organizations pretty much wash their hands of the customer after they’ve sold them the product. This is a shot-sighted strategy.” (Gerry McGovern)

“In many ways this is a model project: it provides empirical evidence of successful problem-solving methods in information design with clear evidence from before and after the introduction of the new designs. It stands on its own as a case study of successful information design, and much of this paper is concerned with the detailed methods that were used and the resulting performance of the designs.” (Phil Fisher and David Sless – CRIA)

“The structure and culture of a typical prepackaged software company is not attuned to the long-term needs of society for software that is part of its infrastructure. This essay discusses the ecosystem needed for development that better meets those needs.” (Dan Bricklin)

“The extent of senior management involvement in the Web is a clear indication of the value of the Web to your organization. If your senior management currently don’t recognize the importance of the Web, then it is vital that they are educated as to its value.” (Gerry McGovern)

“With all the information available, the information design challenges are daunting. But banks are learning that it is better for their customers, and ultimately more profitable for the bank, to provide all the facts and to simply focus on how best to present these facts than it is to leave customers to speculate as to what is happening with their checking account.” (Chris Musto – CMP) – courtesy of karel van der waarde

“It is said that we overestimate the short-term impacts of a revolution and underestimate the longer-term ones. I have known people who overestimated and others who underestimated the short-term impacts of the Web. I have met some who believed that after the dot com bust, the Web wasn’t that important anymore. They couldn’t be more wrong.” (Gerry McGovern)

“Small screens devices, with their constrained design environment and demanding target market, compel designers to strive for highly concise, effective user interfaces. This website is the companion to the ‘Small Screens, Big Lessons’ seminar series, which examines the various beneficial design elements that can be found in well-designed small screen interfaces. Many of the approaches and ideas found in the user interfaces for small screens can also serve as the basis for designing more effective desktop applications and websites.” (Paul D. Hibbitts)

New York May 17-22, 2004 (WWW 2004) – courtesy of elearningpost

“In the information economy, the longevity of an organization is based as much on the sophistication of its knowledge management practices as it is on traditional differentiators such as the strength of its products, the talent of its employees, and its marketplace reputation and partner relationships. Simply speaking, as actionable and insightful information becomes the currency of an organization, there are few other ways to tap into any latent potential lost in the office corridors.” (Shiv Singh – Boxes and Arrows)

“A critical practice challenges prevailing values through works based in some other set of values. This is a form of conscientiousness. In a world where technique has too often become an end in itself, a culturally critical attitude has become essential to meaningful design. How to seek and identify a problem is as important as how to solve a problem.” (Usability News)

“Because typical experiences will differ, the mentality of the typical Internet user, or Homo interneticus, is likely to be significantly different from that of the typical reader of printed works or of writing or of the typical member of purely oral cultures. These differences include deep assumptions about time and space, authority, property, gender, causality and community.” (Michael H. Goldhaber – First Monday 9.6)

“It is shown that Escher Staircases, i.e. cycles of four nodes in a graph with reciprocal links, form a basic structural element on the World Wide Web.” (Ronald Rousseau and Mike Thelwall – First Monday 9.6)

“No matter what you do for a living, design matters. Meet and learn from 20 visionary men and women who are using design to create not just new products, but new ways of working, leading, and seeing.” (Bill Breen – Fast Company Issue 83) – courtesy of elearningpost

“Everybody on the Web is in the business of sales. It doesn’t matter whether you’re managing an intranet, a government or university website. You’re still selling something; still trying to get someone to do something. What do you want people to do? How are you going to convince them to do it?” (Gerry McGovern)

“The chapter is now 18 pages long and probably will require a high speed connection. Images that are blurry on the computer screen are crystal clear on paper. Stephen Malinowski, Brad Paley, and Bonnie Scranton helped with several important graphics. New examples or helpful comments much appreciated.” (Edward Tufte) – courtesy of jason kottke

General Editors: Jan Renkema, Wilbert Spooren, Paul Stiff and Sue Walker (University of Tilburg, NL / Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, NL / University of Reading, UK) – “Please note that as of 2004 volume 12, the Information Design Journal has joined forces with Document Design.” (John Benjamins Publishing Company)