Flash Forward 2003
New York City
Academic Library WebServices,
Information Design,
Technology Flash Backs

Ray Uzwyshyn, Web Services

What is Flash Forward?
Web Technology Conference, utilitarian, praxis,
technically oriented.
Centred on Macromedia Flash MX,
information architecture
and the next generation
Of web design and development.

Flash, Information Design, Tools and Trajectories
(Gr.) Kata + Logos
(list of words)
Technology: Papyrus, Rolled into Scrolls, Placed into Libraries, Technology: Finding Aid, Solves Problem of Previous Technology

Who attends Flash Forward?
Information Designers, People Interested in Web Services
People Dealing with Large Amounts of Information and problems of How to Organize this information

People interested in   Aesthetics    +  Mathematics 
Thesis          + Antithesis

Left Brain Thinkers/Presenters
Programmers
Systems Managers
Military Planners/Analysts
Software Engineers
Hard Core mathematics Ph.D’s
    Renegade Coders (Actionscript)
Medical Researchers (Brain Researcher, UM)
Suspension Bridge Engineers (Yugo)
Common Purpose: Interests in Information Mapping, Organizing Large bodies of information visually, relationally, dynamically.
People at  the end or beginning of mathematics: Information Visualization

Right Brain Thinkers/Presenters
Comic Book Artists
Graphic Designers
Art Directors
Web Designers
Genius Skateboard Punks
Cosmetics/Fashion Advertising People
Library Webmasters
(People Interested in Cognitive Cartography, Information Mapping, Information Architecture)

Technological Trajectories, Information Design and Flash
Papyrus (245 BC, light weight)
Printed Book (15th Century) Technology:
Gutenberg (Mechanical Reproduction)
Internet Technology, the Next Generation of Web and Information Architecture

Flashback to 1876-1985 Information Design Innovations
Melvil Dewey: Dewey Decimal Classification System (1876)
System Wide Classification
Library of Congress Printed Cards (1901)
Problem: Visualized Relationship to Larger Bibliographic Universe is Lost

Computerized Librarianship, 1970’s-80’s Automating 19th Century
Microfiche: Card Catalogue on Microfiche, then CD-ROM.
Innovation: Reduces Entire Printed card catalog to a smaller machine space, Problem of Context,
Text Heavy
Remapping 19th Century Innovation on 21st Century Technology

Academic Library Web Services

Information Design

Flash Technology
Vector Animation Tool: Information is not bitmapped but comes out of a Mathematical Formula: Lightweight/able to be streamed through internet pipes)

Harnesses Interactive Programmatic Environment of Computer with Screen-like experience of Cinema and Television

Flash as Visual Information Technology
Visual Culture (20th Century, television, cinema), Visuals Grammars and Codes That we Understand from early Age
Non-linear motive technology: movement, narrative, metaphor, information.
Move from Page to Stage or Screen Metaphor.
Interactivity + Backend Database Information + Online Connectivity + Visually Iconic Motive Technology

Flash Technology Examples
Explore the Blog:
http://libprod.library.miami.edu:41430/webservices

Questions
Thank You for Coming!