EvalG3ssWebF2008

** http://www.stcsig.org/usability/index.html **// 1. //****//"Publisher."//** //Who created the website? When was it created? Can you determine if an editorial board, especially one composed of known professionals, has screened the information? Why was it created? What perspective (what mission) does the website represent? What is the purpose of the website? Is that perspective or purpose an academic one? Is the website associated with a professional organization or academic institution?// // The Usability and User Experience Community website was created as a service to members of the Society for Technical Communication (STC). STC is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication. According to its website, the organization is the largest of its type in the world with 14,000 members. Members’ professions range from technical writers to visual designers, //information architects to web developers. The Usability and User Experience Community is a community of practice for members of the STC who signed up for the Usability Special Interest Group (SIG). // The site serves as a forum to share information and experiences related to usability and user-centered design. Over 1,900 people, from novices to experts in the field, are members of the Community. The official mission statement of the site reads, “The Usability SIG focuses on issues related to the usability and usability assessment of technical communication, providing a forum in which STC members can share information and experience.” // // As a “community of practice,” the site is primarily focused on strategies related to work-place issues. However, articles and resources often refer to studies, research and resources that are academic in nature. The Usability Resources page provide access to a wide range of resources, including practical tools and evaluation-based articles. // // Although an original creation date is not provided, the Community became a value added feature for STC members in 2005. The site lists a seven-member Community Leader panel, and four Community Advisors. The role of these groups is not explained on the site. E-mail addresses are provided for members who wish to make comments or ask questions about the site content. However, it is not clear how Leaders or Advisors are chosen, what their qualifications are, or what role they have in the design or content of the site. For clarification on these issues, I e-mailed the Manager. // // The Community Leader panel is lead by a Manager, who took over the role in June 2008. She very promptly answered my questions via e-mail. According to her, there is no editorial board for the site at this time. They are in the process of establishing a process for content submission, editing, and posting. The Webmaster is a volunteer position, as are the Community Leaders and Advisors. Community Leaders are elected by the membership, while Advisors are previous Managers, Community Leaders and senior STC members. Community Advisors provide input and suggestions directly to the Manager. // // Has the website won any awards or honors? // It is not evident that the website has won any awards. There is a section for Awards and Recognitions, but it is focused on contributors to the site. For example, the Excellence in Usability Award is given each year to recognize outstanding work in the field of usability. The Distinguished SIG Service Award is given to a volunteer to honor their work in services to the STC and the Community. // Who is the intended audience? Can you determine how many viewers access the website? // The intended users include novice to expert users in the following fields: technical writers, editors, graphic designers, videographers, multimedia artists, and others whose work involves making technical information available to those who need it. More than 1,900 people are registered users of the site. Two hundred members are signed up as members of the site’s listserv focused on discussing a wide variety of usability issues. // Who funds the website? // This site is funded primarily by the STC through membership fees. //Submitted by Group 3 //
 * Evaluating (critically assessing) Secondary Literature and Resources: Website

//Note: // Due to the small size of Group 3, only the publisher information was required for the Website analysis component of the assignment.