June 2006 Archive

This has been sat on the HDD for a while, time to air it!

Six Seven emergent strategies for Web 2.0 companies to groom users into supplying the intellectual property they need - for free!

…[more]

Hierarchical models are the prelevant method of drawing website sitemaps (for example this article at boxes and arrows) we’ve all seen them, I’ve even drawn some - they start at the homepage and everything spreads out from there, they’re commonly called ‘Top Down Trees’ or the suchlike.

Some problems I have with hierarchical page modeling of website:

1. lack of process reasoning (why a->c or a->d)
2. false structure / ordering . The implied direction of users movement may be counter to the potential or actual action (only a limited number of users start at the ‘home’ page).
3. lack of emphasis . Does c = d = e in [a]? implication of horizontal (left to right) ordering
4. False objectivity. Implies a single ‘correct’ model of the structure.
5. Ignores the user as an active participant
6. Ignores that users have different needs.
7. Nature of links all assumed to be the same - leads to a flat navigational model.

In short, it’s focus is too narrow, and is information-light. A more descriptive and usefull method can be used,
Advantages of a experiential model: -{?}+

1. Provides context for content (i.e. why it’s there).
2. Describes processes reasoning i.e. why a->c
3. loose structure all movements counted as potential
4. desired movements emphasised cues for UI design to lead user
5. subjectivity user focused - can contail multiple narratives encourages external influences to be modeled - creates a broader scope for the communication framework

This has clear advantages in communicating both to the folks in marketing and the IT department, giving them a common ground from which to discuss their issues and goals and ensuring communication across diciplines.

Chunking the model:

• A-B A{site}B
• A{[object]-object-object}B
• A{[obj:section:subsection]-page-page}B

Because ‘objects’ are typically defined as having use/function outside of themselves (i.e. are part of a communications process not just mindless spounges soaking up randomly linked ‘content’) this is retained throughout thinking at every stage of developing the model, from the initial concept through to completion.