Interfaces and complexity
Apart from what I or we might think about Microsoft, MS Office, Jakob, or this conference, this evening's plenary was valuable I think.
There are ways in which our web site is similar to MS Office.
I go to these events -- Gilbane a year ago, ETech last spring -- and each time, I'm thinking: if only we could really get down to the real thing the library does -- provide access to information -- and recognize that anything else we do is mere "commentary" on that ... THEN we could design the site we need to have, create a brand image that will work, communicate to the university clearly about our value.
There are ways in which our web site is similar to MS Office.
- Lots of complexity and functionality
- It's hard to find functions in that complexity
- People have to be trained how to find and use those functions
- People use our site because it's what they have to work with and/or someone tells them they have to use it
- (now, if only we had Microsoft's billions of $$ heheh)
I go to these events -- Gilbane a year ago, ETech last spring -- and each time, I'm thinking: if only we could really get down to the real thing the library does -- provide access to information -- and recognize that anything else we do is mere "commentary" on that ... THEN we could design the site we need to have, create a brand image that will work, communicate to the university clearly about our value.
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