Kristofer D. Layon http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:02:58 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.33.uthink http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Lunch with Ted Johnson of Microsoft Corp. pagemaker.jpg

Because of my association with the College of Design, I've been invited to attend a lunch with Ted Johnson of Microsoft. He is currently a "graphics architect" on the Internet Explorer team; back in the 80s, he developed PageMaker. PageMaker is one of the things that brought me into design; Internet Explorer has come close to driving me away.

To quote the invite,

Ted's job is to figure out what Microsoft should do in the area of web-standard graphics support for the next version of Internet Explorer.

He is particularly interested in exploring how design tools and/or browser capabilities constrain or otherwise impact web design solutions, and is looking forward to a discussion of the "future of graphics on the internet".

As a web designer who spends an inordinate amount of time trying to get things to behave in Internet Explorer, such an invitation makes it tempting to bring a bag of rotten tomatoes to lunch. On the other hand, this is probably supposed to be civil, so if you have any suggestions or requests, please share them with me, as it appears that I cannot invite other people to join me.


]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/09/lunch_with_ted_johnson_of_micr.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/09/lunch_with_ted_johnson_of_micr.html Projects-Web Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:02:58 -0600 Target Settles Web Accessibility Lawsuit target.gif

A $6 million settlement was announced yesterday— perhaps this signals an era where more attention will be paid to web accessibility?

Related link:

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/08/target_settles_web_accessibili.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/08/target_settles_web_accessibili.html Commentary Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:06:53 -0600 Agile & Accessible Web Communications My archived presentation from the 2008 ACUI / NACAS conference. Click on the Scribd logo on the upper left of the frame to view the full-screen version.

Agile Web Design - Upload a Document to Scribd
Read this document on Scribd: Agile Web Design

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/08/agile_accessible_web_communica.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/08/agile_accessible_web_communica.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:05:36 -0600 Discussion: Designing for the Mobile Web User

Next week, the University of Minnesota's Web Standards & Accessibility Workgroup will be discussing the mobile web experience and how to design / style / optimize for mobile users and their various devices.

We meet in 402 Walter Library. Meetings are open to the public, so we invite anyone who is interested to attend (no RSVP is necessary). Date and time: July 18, noon-1:30 p.m.

Related links:

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/07/discussion_designing_for_the_m.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/07/discussion_designing_for_the_m.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:34:20 -0600 The History of Computing...in 17 Minutes

I have my good friend and colleague Tim Kunau to thank for referring me to TED Talks. Today, I'm watching a great one about the history of computing. Enjoy, and be enlightened.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/07/history_of_computing_in_17_min_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/07/history_of_computing_in_17_min_1.html Continuing Education Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:18:19 -0600 Innovative Marketing Solutions for the Campus Community

I will be co-presenting with Colin McFadden at this ACUI / NACAS conference in August. Working title: Agile and Accessible Web Communications.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/06/innovative_marketing_solutions.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/06/innovative_marketing_solutions.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:47:19 -0600 Flashbelt 2008 fb08.gif

Flashbelt this year was fabulous— this is the third year I have attended. Kudos to Dave Schroeder; he not only puts together an amazing conference, but makes it look fun enough that he was the one who inspired me to get into the conference biz last year with MinneWebCon (and he was a key advisor for us with that event).

Highlights of this year include a return visit by Jared Tarbell; a user-centered design session by Jason Sack of space150 (who presented at MinneWebCon, but I was too busy managing to pay attention); and a great session on accessible Flash enhancements.

More details to follow...and hopefully some more links, if their presentations make it online. =)

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/06/flashbelt_2008.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/06/flashbelt_2008.html Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:59:23 -0600 iLaw Presentation Click on the Scribd logo on the upper left of the frame to view the full-screen version.

May 8 iLaw Presentation: Web Accessibility - Upload a doc
Read this doc on Scribd: May 8 iLaw Presentation: Web Accessibility

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/05/may_6_part_2.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/05/may_6_part_2.html Continuing Education Thu, 08 May 2008 11:38:33 -0600 Bathing in the Aura of Eric Meyer photo.jpg

Or, maybe that's just a lot of light streaming in through the windows?

A photo of the planning committee, taken at the end of MinneWebCon, yesterday's incredibly-successful University of Minnesota web conference.

From left to right: Eric Eklund, me, Eric Meyer (our morning keynote presenter), Zach Johnson, Peter Fleck, and Dan Kunitz. On the committee, but not in the photo: Sara Hurley, Jesse Mullan, and Simin Hickman.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/04/bathing_in_the_aura_of_eric_me.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/04/bathing_in_the_aura_of_eric_me.html Continuing Education Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:04:47 -0600 Internet Law Research Paper Proposal The Americans With Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) was written during a period when Internet communications were in their earliest stages of general adoption and use. Consequently, Congress established this legislation within the context of a physical and analog world. Since this time, however, the ADA has begun to be reinterpreted within the nonphysical and digital (or “cyberspace�) context of the Internet and World Wide Web.

The most significant case to directly address this issue in court is National Federation of the Blind v. Target Corporation (2006 and 2007). However, the case has not yet been heard by the court, so only the initial arguments, subsequent decisions not to dismiss the case, and relevant commentary on these initial stages of the suit are available for review.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/04/internet_law_research_paper_pr.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/04/internet_law_research_paper_pr.html Continuing Education Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:43:06 -0600 Microformats micro-diagram.gif

Today's University CSS-Development & Web Standards monthly meeting was about microformats. We had great attendance (30+) and Laurie McGinley did a wonderful job of presenting.

Next month we're taking a break from our regular meeting schedule due to our new conference event MinneWebCon.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/microformats.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/microformats.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:40:22 -0600 Orange Crush Reposted on 5th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion oc.jpg

Aside from my MFA thesis project, this was my most involved and best-developed project from graduate school (2001-2004). I am reposting it in observation of the 5th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Note that total soldier and civilian casualty estimates now range from a conservative 34,000 (President Bush's estimate) to more than 650,000 (based on a 2006 epidemiological study that also includes deaths due to disease and other non-military violence resulting from war).

On the other hand, there are stories of hope, such as this NPR story that documents a less violent area of Iraq that had formerly been known for unthinkable atrocities.

We can only hope that more stories of hope like this emerge over time, to ensure that all of the war-related deaths did not happen in vain. But with 34,000-650,000 deaths to assuage, it's difficult to imagine there ever being enough hope or success.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/orange_crush_reposted_on_5th_a.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/orange_crush_reposted_on_5th_a.html Commentary Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:40:09 -0600 Media Mill m_mill.gif

As I work on some new podcasts for University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS), I just need to give a shout-out to Colin McFadden in CLA, who manages Media Mill. It is by far my favorite multimedia web application! It is elegantly designed, easy to use, and powerful. How could it be any better?

Well, I do see that it will soon allow content creators to select their own still frame for videos. Very cool!

Thanks again, Colin!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/mediamill.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/mediamill.html Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:23:16 -0600 New Media Research Network: YouTube youtube.jpg

I'm part of the U's New Media Research Network, and today's research breakfast included an excellent presentation on YouTube by Julie Jones, PhD candidate. She characterized YouTube's presence and success as comprising a "media metropolis", a place that people visit much in the way that they visit a city like New York, where a large variety of activities, content types, and cultures are concentrated in one location and result in a vibrant community.

Yet, for all of its richness and size, YouTube is successful for three more simple reasons: it is easy to find, easy to share, and easy to participate in. Compare this to other sites or applications that are either not easy to find, share, or participate in, and their lack of popularity is not a surprise.

I look forward to keeping up with Jones as she continues her YouTube research, as it is in the category of "social media" that continues to interest me a great deal. And while I do not expect to design media that are as wildly successful as YouTube, I do want to model my project goals on similar criteria, as I believe they are the foundation for success in today's Social Web.


]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/new_media_research_network_you.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/new_media_research_network_you.html Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:43:47 -0600 Graphing Social Patterns
Graphing Social Patterns Conference 2008

I just returned from an invigorating two days in San Diego, immersing myself in the latest social networking developments and talking to industry experts. My head is still reeling....it was a fabulous professional development experience. I also made a lot of valuable contacts for MinneWebCon, including securing O'Reilly as a co-sponsor.

I'll be writing more on what I learned soon...

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/graphing_social_patterns_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/layo0002/work/2008/03/graphing_social_patterns_1.html Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:21:05 -0600