On the Classification of Pipes
The classification of pipes, like most classification systems, turns out to be complex, messy, and interesting.
Why it’s called Information Architecture
We call what we do Information Architecture. We don’t call it information engineering or information development. The word “architecture” is intentional. So here goes, I’m just going to say it: Unlike software engineering and software development, Agile doesn’t really work for Information Architecture. It can get in the way. In some cases, it can cause …
Serving CROW
In this two-part series, I will be borrowing from the presentation I gave at the Information Architecture Conference earlier this year: Moving Information Across Boundaries, Information Theory for Information Architecture. (1 of 2)
Reinventing the Wheel: On Generative AI for Search and Knowledge Management
In this two-part series, I will be borrowing from the presentation I gave at the Information Architecture Conference earlier this year: Moving Information Across Boundaries, Information Theory for Information Architecture. (1 of 2)
When Is a Holiday Not a Holiday?
If you’re building a list of holidays for your local business – to celebrate events, or plan which days to be closed, or temporarily change your website banner accordingly, or promote a seasonal sale – a list of local culturally recognized holidays is probably fine. No one will care if mom and pop’s central Iowa …
Everyone Is in the Information Business
Every organization is in the information business; most work centers around organizing , governing, and distributing information. Sometimes the information itself is the end product: content, whether streaming videos or articles on a website, needs to be organized so that people can find what they’re looking for. The same applies to products: digital environments have …
A Taxonomy of Taxonomy Governance
On Taxonomy Governance I believe most taxonomists would agree that building taxonomies is fun. Most taxonomists also do not spend most of their time building taxonomies. Rather, after a taxonomy program is up and running most of a taxonomist’s effort is spent on taxonomy governance. Many words have been spilled on taxonomy governance; a Google …
Information Theory for IA – Part 2
In part 1, I wrote about Information Architecture (IA) fundamentally moving information from one place to another. While that article touched on some of the practical implications, this part focuses on how focussing on understanding the alignment of users and the capability of the communication channel can inform and focus the IA work. Information is …
Taxonomy matters, where the music matters
About KEXP KEXP is a Seattle-based nonprofit arts organization serving music lovers through in-person, broadcast and online programming. The Factor team included long-time KEXP listeners, thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute to this cherished organization. KEXP’s Challenge There’s a Patti Smith interview recording on tape in a box in a basement, a track list …
Metadata and content modeling to help novice users find Learn, Help, and Support content
Challenge: Adobe had no shortage of “learn, help, and support” content for their creative software tools available online, but they knew that their fastest-growing segment–novice users–struggled to find answers to seemingly simple questions such as “how do I crop this photo”? Their challenge was simply, “How can we make self-help easier?” Approach: Factor carried out …
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