INFO 440 - L08 - Oct 26, 2004
Notes By: Prins, Egaas, Fortier (PEF)

Information Architecture


Announcements
    > nov 9 and nov 30 - Boiko gone travelin'

Bootstrappin'

What exactly do you design?
    > The subject matter
        – Index = flat list
        – Taxonomy = an outline list
        - Thesaurus = a taxonomy with cross references
    > The content structure
        - next week (Content Modeling)

What is a topic map?
    > Creates a hierarchy
    > It is also spacial
        - Things that are closer together are more related
    > Not outline mode
    > Basic sketch of the information structure that you are trying to achieve
    > It's bubbles and lines ()---()
    > Hyperbolic map
    > It allows you to use space to organize things
    > Two dimensions
        - Size
        - Position

How do you do topic maps?
    > Choose software or paper (preferred)
        - Don't let the tool set the pace
    > Brainstorm, explore, follow the scent
    > Sketch!
    > Cluster, but don’t dwell
    > Name, but don’t tweak
    > Think first, refine later
    > Don't commit yet

Let's do a quick one
    > Here's your triple:
        - By delivering employment related information to iSchool students we will be able to increase the employment rate of our graduates because if they know about opportunities they will get them.
        - TIPLE FORM: By delivering <information> to <audience> we will be able to <goal> because <reason>.
    > Word association follows, but is too complex to ASCII

Subject words vs. type words
    > Subjects (what is our information about)
        - Informatics
        - Taxonomy
        - Design
        - Topic map
        - Schema
    > Type (what is our information is)
        - Policy documents
        - Employer profiles
        - Images
        - Videos
        - Instructor Biography
    > Could be either
        - Prerequisites
        - Requirements
        - Policy
        - Procedure

What is a card sort?
    > Take a bunch of topics and put them on cards, have participants categorize them
    > Get topics from topic map sort
    > Keep one category for cards, however you can go deeper if you wish
    > Sub-categories are allowed
    
How do you do card sorts?
    > Create topics to be sorted
    > Id each subject
        - Can be changed
        - Like a short name
    > Open
        - Let the user create new topics
    > Closed
        - Don’t let them create new topics
    > Facilitate but don’t lead
    > Figure out how you will deal with questions
        - What does this topic mean?
        - One topic two parents?
        - Cross references between categories?
        - Can I edit your cards?

What is a taxonomy?
    > Grouping things by their categorization
    > Classification
    > IT'S ANIMALS! (classical)
    > Windows file system
    > Yahoo! Directory
        - Faceted classification scheme (most children in many parents)

What do you do with a taxonomy?
    > Understand and enhance your content
    > Build navigation
    > Build management structures
    > Describe the subject to your users
    > Prescribe the subject to your users 
    > To organize a web site
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