1. CONNECTICUT CHAPTER OF USABILITY PROFESSIONALS
NOVEMBER 27, 2008
NEWSLETTER
Our December Meeting Holiday Wishes...
Packaging of the Usability Professional -- #om the Recruiter/ Seasons greetings to
Headhunters Point of View everyone. I hope each of you
have enjoyed a wonderful
Thanksgiving holiday -- and
have a sense of excitement
and anticipation for 2009.
CT UPA has plans for an
array of interesting events
and programs in 2009. In
addition to the relevant topic
to be presented in December
program -- we are lining up
some compelling topics
which we are confident will
extend your professional
credibility and inspire you to
Miles Jennings excellence.
We are looking for your
participation. Please come to
Matt Forbes
the meetings, become a
The next Chapter meeting will “unexpected,” and be ready to seek member and please volunteer
be held the evening of December out and secure a new position if to help us grow.
11, 2008 at a location yet to be the need arises.
- Michael Rawlins , President
determined. To that end, we will welcome CT UPA
It goes without saying that in Matthew Forbes, Managing
these troubled economic times, no Director at Apex Systems Inc.,
company, and no individual and Miles Jennings, Managing
position is rock solid and Director at Modis, Inc. to discuss
recession proof. It is truly “Packaging of the Usability
alarming to see positions being Professional – from the Recruiter/
eliminated in all industries on a Headhunter’s Point of View.”
daily basis. Although possibly
uncomfortable, it behooves all of
us to be prepared for the
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2. CONNECTICUT CHAPTER OF USABILITY PROFESSIONALS
NOVEMBER 27, 2008
at the same time, most likely in the
Upcoming Meetings
month of January. Again, in the new
spirit of openness I will come
completely clean. This new policy Mad*Pow Design
From the
will greatly simplify and update our
Treasurer: New Speaker: Josh Corringham
somewhat fragmented bookkeeping Genius Design vs. User Centered Design
Dues Policy
system; a system currently
SpeedReading People
maintained on the back of a TGI
As the new
Speaker: Polly Maglio, VP
Friday’s napkin.
Chapter
SpeedReading People Inc.
Treasurer, I am racked by guilt and
Far more important than dues
have a confession to make. For the
amount, or the method of collecting EyeTracking Demo
past two years, dues and expenses
dues, is how we plan to utilize an
have never been an issue. What a Speaker: Jennifer Jennifer Knodler
infusion of funds. As I hinted at
dreadful statement for a treasurer to SensoMotoric Instruments, Inc.
above, the officers are currently
make! Plainly, I cannot anticipate
brainstorming some new initiatives
being asked to participate in
Advanced Card Sorting
and some unique programs and
President-Elect Obama’s Council of Techniques
opportunities that may require
Economic Advisors (but if asked I
Speaker: TBD
financial resources greater than we
would serve).
have expended in the past. Now you
The main reason for this happy state probably think I’m going to drop Topic TBD
some teasers to whet your appetites,
of affairs is, quite simply, that our Speaker: from Human Factors
right? Nope. . . that will have to International
past and present leadership is so
resourceful, and so well-connected, wait until the next newsletter.
that they have attracted several local
Keep alert. An Email will be
authorities in our “usability”
disciplines at minimal expense. It’s winging itself to you shortly. If I
don’t see you at the December
nice to have influential friends.
meeting have a wonderful and
Indeed, it appears that our major
joyous Holiday. Remember, dues
budget item for the past two years
will be requested in January and the
has been pizza. By the way, if you
way it is shaping up only 500 empty
are one of our “lurker” members,
soda can or beer bottle returns will
and have not attended any of our
programs, it really is worth coming be needed to cover your whole year.
Get out there and start collecting.
just for the pizza.
But, I digress. Is this any way to run - Paul Linton, Treasurer CT UPA
a Chapter? Actually, no. As the
Chapter matures and we explore
new program initiatives and creative
ways to serve our membership, it is
necessary that we become more
fiscally responsible. Starting in
January 2009 our dues will be raised
to $5,000 per year per member. Just
kidding; wanted to see if you were
actually reading this. No, dues are
not being raised, but a new dues
policy is being put together by the
officers right now and will be
announce shortly. Going forward,
dues will be assessed on a calendar
year basis and all members will pay
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3. CONNECTICUT CHAPTER OF USABILITY PROFESSIONALS
NOVEMBER 27, 2008
members offered their opinions
RECAP:
OCTOBER on how to retain new talent in
MEETING companies where User
Despite stormy Centered Design is still in the
weather the process of being fully
October meeting understood and adopted as the
of the CT UPA main driver for business
held at Pitney success.
Bowes’ Shelton
campus was a big Read more on
success. We had a - Charlie’s concept of
Web 2.0, where usable design
chance to hear from Charlie “Evolving Web” http://
should no longer be perceived
Kreitzberg, the founding editor www.leadersintheknow
as a tactical process, but as a
of the UPA’s User Experience .biz/Portals/0/
core business competence.
magazine, the brain behind Publications/The-
Charlie drew on his several
LUCID (the framework for Evolving-Web.pdf
years of experience in user
interaction design) and the - Anne’s thoughts on
centered design and offered
principal of Cognetics collaboration
actionable advice on how to
Corporation, a New Jersey web http://
overcome management
design firm. In addition to www.leadersintheknow
resistance by establishing a
Charlie, we also heard from .com
clear user experience ROI.
Anne Paulker Kreitzberg, an - Charlie’s Web 2.0
expert on creative Tutorial http://
strategies for www.leadersintheknow
corporate .biz/Portals/0/
collaboration, Publications/
performance Web-2andYou.pdf
and change
management - Aneta Ha$, Secretary CT UPA
and a member
of the faculty at
the Wharton
School of the
University of
Pennsylvania.
The latter part of the
Both Charlie and Anne were
discussion led to the topic of
speaking informally, allowing
young usability professionals
for free-flowing discussion and
and how they can develop or
lots of questions from our
improve a culture of user
members. The main topic of
centered design at companies
the talk was the value of user
they work for. Several
centered design in the era of
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