News & Comment

 Unexpected slow-down.
I should have known better than to promise a site re-design for the January issue (see next paragraph). Obviously it's not done, and I apologize. It's gotten a little crazy around here. The new semester started, with its usual demands of revised course materials, new software to learn (Photoshop 6), and new courses to set up. Then we decided to start a major renovation of our 100-year old house, meaning lots of phone calls to suppliers, plumbers, and miscellaneous interested parties. Oh yea, the downstairs heating system decided to die, too. More phone calls to plumbers. And so on. Not to mention that the new design has provided its own share of speed bumps and potholes. I'm cautiously optimistic that it will be online early in February (don't quote me, though). Thanks for your patience.

and here's what I was saying in mid-December:

What you think is what matters... 
Eighteen months ago Interactive Design Forum was launched, about a year ago it got a new look (the monthly banner graphic), and now I'd sure like to know how we're doing. YOU are the target audience for this website.

High on my list is a dynamic format for the four major sections (COMMENT, EDUCATION, RESOURCES, BEST OF). At the start of each month they will appear in four equal width columns. As you vote with your mouseclicks throughout the month, the column widths will be adjusted to reflect the popularity of each section: continuous feedback.

But that's just one idea, and maybe not even an important one (just one I like).

If you have a minute, please send me your thoughts about Interactive Design Forum. Is it too wordy? the design too boring? colors yucky? Do you like the type of information? the writing? What should there be more of? less of?

Here's what some other visitors had to say:

And now it's your turn: [Send your comments]

Project ideas ...
This month's addition to our Open Source EDU section was sent in by Diana Black, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has created three challenging projects for her Interactive Graphic Design class [in EDUCATION].

Talk with Chip
If you're in the Cleveland area between now and Jan. 19, 2001, let me invite you to meet Chip at the Cleveland State's People's Art Show. Chip is the life-sized wood sculpture that houses my introspective, interactive piece Image/Self-image (description & photos).

The folks at the CSU Gallery have hosted this "free, unjuried, uncensored exhibition celebrating creativity, diversity, and imagination" for 14 years, despite frequent ridicule and criticism. The quality of the work varies wildly, but it's always fun to see "art" through the show's unfiltered lens.

This month's banner graphic
I pretty much struck out thinking of a clever holiday theme for this month's banner. Nothing fit. Getting a little desperate, I looked through a batch of pictures from when I was in Chicago last month for the ACD Living Surfaces conference. The one that showed threatening signs ("WARNING" "24 hour video surveillance" "WE WILL PROSECUTE") struck me as typical of urban life, not only now, but maybe in general.

For better or worse, I have little use for organized religion anymore, but I appreciate the values of love, hospitality and care for others that all religions seem to have at their core.

That Chicago alleyway and the little town of Bethlehem have a lot in common.

                                                              - Al Wasco 12/12/00

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