Hallam, an independent electronic commerce consultant specializing in electronic commerce strategy and the business impact of emerging Internet technologies, uses a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstration and case studies. Participants will come away with a greater understanding of emerging technologies and be prepared to develop an action plan to deal with the likely impact on their information users. Metadata and taxonomies are the two major components that allow for quick, easy navigation and excellent search results, and when they are linked to well-formed data, create the basis of successful sites. Several standards are in the process of being set, and many techniques have evolved to help achieve these goals. Taxonomy management deals with the core concern of content developers and disseminators how to quickly convey meaning of a record or document so that it can be found precisely and accurately.
Ambiguity is the ever-present enemy of clarity.
As designers and developers of databases for over 20 years, presenters discuss techniques for building and managing vocabularies and metadata and define the various types of word control, including rules for distinguishing among different word control formats. The Hlavas also demonstrate an XML RDF solution for text management as an example of how these new standards can work together for an effective outcome. Building a successful library site is becoming a mission-critical application as libraries services and resources become digital. Learn about various usability tests and techniques that will help you have a user-focused design. Practice some of the tests and take home some useful guidelines for your own project.