IAI Newsletter #3.2 February 2008

February 13, 2008 08:46 PM

IAI Newsletter #3.2 February 2008

The Information Architecture Institute (IAI) Newsletter features news about IAI and our partner sites: Boxes and arrows and IAwiki. We've also added a list of conferences, workshops, F2Fs, and job postings at the end, so scroll down!

In this issue:

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IAI NEWShttp://www.iainstitute.org

Dear fellow IAs,

I thought January was meant to be a quiet month, but not this year - this January there has been a lot happening that I'd like to tell you about. The big news is that this month's Fortune magazine has an advertising feature about information architecture and the Kent State IAKM program: “The Architects of the Information Age”.

- Fortune magazine:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2008/01/21/toc.html

- Download the PDF of the feature: 

http://iainstitute.org/documents/learn/IA_Insert_Fortune_2008Jan21.pdf

I don't know about you, but around this time of year I start getting excited about the Information Architecture Summit - filling my head up with new ideas and catching up with IAs from all around the world. As always, the IAI is running a pre-conference workshop - this year's workshop is called "Becoming a Leader: From IA to Business and Beyond" and will feature presentations by Christopher Fahey, Mags Hanley, Harry Max, Karen McGrane and Josh Rubin. The IA Summit has released its program of sessions and speakers as well as registration (IA Summit is in Miami, Florida on April 10-14. See http://iasummit.org/ .)

Also this month we added an IAI group on LinkedIn. If you are an IAI member and use LinkedIn, you can join this group here:

http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/50747/6B2A937E4F6D

And as always, there has been lots of website work going on in the background. We have a team working on redesign of the networking section (led by Jan Jursa). Translations are moving along with Spanish and Italian sites nearing completion. And we released a fantastic new home page - it really is amazing how much effect a few small changes can make.

Sincerely,
Donna Maurer
Treasurer, IA Institute

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VOLUNTEERS AT IAI - http://iainstitute.org/en/network/volunteer_opportunities.php

Contact volunteer AT iainstitute DOT org if you’re interested in working on any of the following projects:

* Second Life - Help us get Info Architecture Island ready to host simultaneous sessions during the IA Summit in April. We need a leader with Second Life experience to host this extraordinary experience.

* Mentors - IAI provides a self-select matching program based on specializations, cities, and experience. This program needs your mentorship to succeed. It’s a great way to connect, share experiences, and build the field. Currently, we’re seeking mentors with a range of experience. See the mentoring pages to learn more http://iainstitute.org/en/members/mentoring/mentoring_program.php

Get started right away at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m2NH73SIyPuML_2bsGGjPMQQ_3d_3d

* Join a language team - Teams need assistance with translation, navigation, and moving translated content into the new website framework. If you aren't able to translate the words but have html/css knowledge, you can contribute to the web development.

* Host a language site – Each site needs a designated leader to keep it fresh and relevant. If you would like to help build IA community in your language, consider hosting an IAI site. With calendar and news as well as connections to library, job board, and all the other great resources at IAI.

IAI is a volunteer organization, so opportunities are infinite. You can assist with on-going programs or initiatives by donating your time, web, or IA skills in a variety of areas. You can join or form a local group or take part in Second Life to increase your networking activities. You can help spread the word about IA, work with volunteers all over the world, or join us at an event.  Contact volunteer AT iainstitute DOT org if you are interested in joining a project or finding a volunteer fit for your schedule and skills.

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WHAT'S NEW WITH OUR PARTNERS

ASIS&T Bulletin, Boxes and Arrows, IAwiki, and Web Indexing SIG

ASIS&T Bulletin - http://www.asis.org/bulletin.html

This month’s ASIS&T Bulletin features our own Board of Directors President, Eric Reiss in the IA Column. With “It’s Not What You Think, but How You Think” he explores best practices in conjunction with creativity and innovation. Curiosity is the key to more than just the creative process. Curious? Read more

It’s Not What You Think, but How You Think - http://www.asis.org/Bulletin/Feb-08/FebMar08_IA_Reiss.html

And don’t miss the special section on Information Professionals in a Globalized World.

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Boxes and Arrows - http://www.boxesandarrows.com
The definitive source for the complex task of bringing architecture and design to the digital landscape.

Advancing Advanced Search
by Stephen Turbek
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/advancing-advanced

The success of the simple search box has relegated advanced search to second-class status. Stephen Turbek looks to resurrect this useful feature from the dustbins of the design toolbox and suggest some useful ways for designers to utilize it effectively.

Our Way: The Ingenuity of Unintended Uses
A little wisdom for the New Year
by B&A Staff
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/our-way-the

People will always utilize our designs in their own way. These unintended uses can be strange, even brilliant. To welcome 2008, the B&A Staff tells a few stories about how we misuse for our own devices. We hope you find some inspiration and add stories of your own to the comments.

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Web Indexing SIG: http://www.web-indexing.org

The Web Indexing SIG (Special Interest Group) promotes the human indexing of Web sites and HTML documents.

“Creating Indexes on Websites and Intranets" webinar through the SLA (Special Libraries Association)'s Click U Live! Program
Presented by Heather Hedden
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 2:00 - 3:30 pm (Eastern time)
Details and registration at:
http://sla.learn.com/learncenter.asp?id=178409&sessionid=3-8B5BBF7E-9E82-40F7-BED6-7621583AA069&mode=show&page=279

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS - http://iainstitute.org/calendar/

Events in the IAI Calendar offer discounts to members. We are always looking for new partners and events we can share with our membership and newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to promote your event, please contact events AT iainstitute DOT org. The Calendar is bursting with events, check out the full listings online! http://iainstitute.org/calendar/

Search Analytics: Harnessing site search analytics to better understand and meet your user and customer needs
March 6, 2008
Sydney, Australia
Rich Wiggins, the leading international Search Analytics expert, is coming to Sydney on 6th March 2008 to host this intensive one-day master class.
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000691.php

Content Convergence and Integration 2008
March 12-14, 2008
Vancouver, Canada
A conference for content professionals who need to find more strategic ways to manage their content in a world where content now gets created and syndicated, integrated, repurposed, and redistributed.
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000700.php

IA Summit 2008
April 10-14, 2008
Miami, USA
The premier gathering place for information architects. This year’s focus is on wide range of IA tools and techniques can help as users "experience information."
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/000702.php

IA Summit IA Institute PreConference: Becoming a leader – from IA to business and beyond
April 11, 2008
Miami, USA
Christopher Fahey, Margaret Hanley, Harry Max, Karen McGrane, and Josh Rubin will be exploring the relationship between Information Architecture and leadership. If you aspire to a position of leadership — in any capacity — you cannot miss this workshop.
http://www.iasummit.org/proceedings/2008/becoming_a_leader_from_ia_to_b

Check out full listings and future events:
http://iainstitute.org/calendar/

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IAI JOB POSTINGS

The IAI Job Board lists job postings related to information architecture, as well as information design, interaction design, user experience, and HCI. The following are just a sample of recent postings:

User Experience Architect
Sears, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3640

Developer, Knowledge Management
Osler, Toronto, Canada
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3638

User Experience Consultant
Recruit Media (Recruiter), London, United Kingdom
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3636

Usability Architect
Recruiter, Shanghai, China
http://iainstitute.org/jobboard/jobs/job.php?id=3624

Job board newsletter archives are available at: http://lists.iainstitute.org/listinfo.cgi/iai-jobs-iainstitute.org

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Thanks for reading and we'll be back with another newsletter in about a month!