INF 385P – Usability – Fall, 2012
10/1/2012
Some potential final project subjects.
You do NOT need to limit yourself to these possibilities; if you have another idea, don’t hesitate to
ask me about it.
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http://www.austinhabitat.org/
http://www.caritasofaustin.org/
http://www.newlifetexas.org/
http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/PageServer
http://www.abcaus.org/
Indeed, here’s a place to find a bunch of nonprofits:
http://www.thecityofaustin.org/organization/index.html
http://www.texasarchive.org/library/index.php/Main_Page
Website of the SACRAO (Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers), a non-profit, entirely volunteer-run organization
Hi Dr. Bias,
I am an iSchool alum and former student--I took your grantwriting class in 2009 or thereabouts--and
I am now the digital archivist at the LBJ Library. We are overhauling the archives section of the
Library web site over the next year or so and I am wondering if you would like to use us as real-life
fodder for usability testing for any of your classes or individual projects.
Most of my colleagues do not have information science backgrounds, so I am a lone voice for
usability testing in this process, although I have convinced them that it is in our best interests to get
outside testing input to inform our design/label/navigation/architecture decisions, and that
arranging some kind of partnership with the iSchool is a potential way to achieve this. The
contractors the Library has hired do not include ANY testing (!), although they have agreed that it
would be helpful, and that they would be guided by the results--and we have final say anyway. So
essentially, everyone is board as long as it doesn't cost us anything!
There is no firm timeframe for the redesign, although I am sure that work will begin, if only on
paper, this fall. If you think that a collaboration of some sort might be viable, I'd be happy to come
to the iSchool whenever would be convenient for you to chat in person. Thanks for your time.
Liza
Liza Talbot
Archivist
Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library
(512) 721-0201
liza.talbot@nara.gov
Hi Randolph,
Hope you're doing well. I am now working and the Stark Center, here on campus, on a few digital
projects. In the coming weeks we will be posting student volunteer opportunities on the Ischool
website. In my responsibilities here, with many thanks to your class, I've identified some good
usability study opportunities. So, in that vain, wanted to get on your radar and let you know that the
Stark would happily welcome single student or group projects. I am sure you have a surfett of
projects and institutions available to select from when a usability student is looking for project
suggestions. I humbly submit the Stark as addition to your suggestion list.
Many Thanks,
-Brent Sipes
Digital Archivist
H.J. Lutcher Stark Center
Hey Randolph,
I see that today is iSchool Orientation and advising so it may just be the very worst day for me to
email you. But here I go anyway! I wanted to touch base and make sure we’re still on for an
APL/iSchool project. We could still use all the help we can get. Would you still like to meet later this
month? I know your students probably won’t be able to start work on a project until later in the
semester so just let me know what works for you. Once we set up a time and date I’ll let other
members of the Internet Committee know so interested parties can also attend.
Hope all is well! Good luck with the start of the semester.
Best,
Betsey
Blanche, Betsey Betsey.Blanche@austintexas.gov
Randolph,
I’m happy either way! Do you think our project is in need of a sales pitch? Or will someone take it
on out of the goodness of their hearts? So just let me know what you think about the usefulness of a
visit from me.
I found your syllabus online so I can give my subcommittee an idea of what to expect. I’m also
happy to be in touch with the lucky pair that works on this in case they have questions or want to
take a look at some of our Google Analytics data but that is probably a bit beyond the scope of this.
Anywho, I’m looking forward to getting something done and glad it can potentially be a project for
your students.
Have a great weekend!
Betsey