Think Secret have uploaded a 5 part series document commenting on various changes including images on the upcoming Apple OS X 10.3 (Panther) Finder.
OOP in ActionScript and Flash
Joey Lott, the author of ActionScript Cookbook has written a first part series article in Web Dev on Object-oriented programming (OOP) in ActionScript for Flash MX.
The article is an introduction to writing better scripts in Flash.
Experience Curve weblog
Experience Curve a weblog by Karl Long, is an interesting site which comments on how Experience Design (ED) or User Experience (UX) contributes to a business’ competitive advantage.
The website focuses on the topic that “Features and Functionality are no longer the lingua franca of competition”.
User Interaction in Automated Systems
Ann Light has posted a useful link in Usability News to an IBM Research paper by D.?M. Russell, et al. titled, Dealing with ghosts: Managing the user experience of autonomic computing (PDF).
The paper which was published in the Journal earlier this year (Vol. 42, No. 1, 2003), comments on User involvement and interaction in automated systems. It is a worthwhile read.
IBM Systems Journal on Knowledge Management
The IBM Systems Journal have a series of interesting papers on Knowledge Management topics including, Human and Social factors, Speech as a knowledge resource, Where did KM come from?, Strategic practises, Text and Data Mining and e-Business.
The papers are available as PDF and HTML and were published in the 2001 Journal, which also contains useful links to further reading.
Standardising RSS
CNet News comment on the current dispute over RSS standardisation and ambiguities in its multiple versions.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and is a technology originally developed by blog and web pioneer Dave Winer.
RSS is widely used in the syndication of weblogs and other Web content using XML.
The Cannes Lions 2003 Winners and Shortlists
The Cannes Lions Winners and Shortlists for 2003, which were announced back in June, showcases some of the best advertising in the world, from commercials, outdoor ads, print ads, websites and online ads, media solutions and direct marketing campaigns.
The Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and all the ads (7000+) can be found on their website.
The world’s first cloned horse is born
New Scientist reports that the first cloned horse is born.
Although genetically engineered horses are currently banned against competing in horse racing, some are speculating that soon the rules might change.
The controversial aspect of this clone birth, is that the foal is genetically identical to its surrogate mother.
Rob Kling’s introduction to What is social informatics?
Rob Kling, who has sadly passed away recently, and worked at the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University, wrote a thorough and interesting introductory journal document on Social Informatics, describing what it is, its link to productivity (productivity paradox), and some of the issues and concerns related to the field, including current technologies, processes and further research.
The article is quite lengthy, but contains links to further readings (for those looking for more) on the field including systematic analytical and critical research.
The 25 years of research and processes in the field has developed numerous theories and findings that help better understand the design, development, and operation of usable information systems, including intranets, electronic forums, digital libraries and electronic journals
Social informatics identifies and deals with the research and study of the social aspects of computerization and that effective computerization also depends upon close attention to workplace organization and practices.
A more formal definition includes:
the interdisciplinary study of the design, uses and consequences of information technologies that takes into account their interaction with institutional and cultural contexts.
Reference:
Kling, R. (1999) What is Social Informatics and Why Does it Matter? [Online] Available: http://www.dlib.org/dlib/january99/kling/01kling.html
I have started reading about Social Informatics in a post-graduate subject I have started at UTS with Associate Professor Sue Fowell, which looks at Enterprise Content and Information Management.
Jeffrey Zeldman’s keynote from Seatle
Jeffrey Zeldman has uploaded his keynote lecture notes (Designing with Web Standards), from the Web Design World in Seatle, US last Month.
His notes covers the important reasons for designing with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards, such as simplifying and lowering costs of production, while delivering sites that are accessible to more people and more types of Internet devices. It’s worthwhile reading over Jeffrey’s notes.
Electronic glove translates sign language to speech
Jose Hernandez-Rebollar, a researcher for George Washington University in the US has developed an electronic glove called the “AcceleGlove” that can translate the rapid hand movements used in sign language into spoken words or text.
Divorcing via SMS in Malaysia
What is the world turning into? A Malaysian court has approved that Muslim men can divorce their wives via SMS using their mobile phones.
Sounds like Techno, a 4-part ABC online documentary
ABC Arts Online (Space) have released an excellent online documentary titled, Sounds like Techno, a four part story about techno music from Detroit house to the Dance floors of Australia.
It is a fantastic use of interactive multimedia and a great way of displaying and broadcasting an entertaining and informative documentary online.
Siggraph Sydney (Pulse 002) presentation at COFA
Viv forwarded an email from Peter Giles, Head of Digital Media at the Australian Film Television and Radio School about next Tuesday’s Siggraph’s Sydney (Pulse 002) meeting at COFA.
Representatives from the Planet-Earth project, fresh from presenting at SIGGRAPH2003 in San Diego California, USA, will present their open source geospatial virtual reality initiative, and their experiences in gaining support from the Telstra Broadband Fund.
I’ll be heading out, so see you all there! This event is free for Siggraph Sydney Chapter members, or $5 at the door.
Pulse 002 – Planet-Earth
Date: Tuesday 12th August, 7pm
Venue: College of Fine Arts (COFA)
Selwyn Street Paddington. Room B108.
Photos from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission
Photos from the famous July 16, 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which landed man on the moon for the first time.
The astronauts spent 8 days in space from liftoff to the July 24, 1969 return to Earth.