3. A subject?
Noun
1.A matter dealt with in a text, discourse, or conversation; a
subject.
2.That part of a sentence about which something is said, typically
the first major constituent.
Synonyms
subject - theme - matter – text
Dictionary.com
4. A label
Topics are a great way to organize messages around a specific
subject.
To view all messages with a certain topic, click “Topics” and
click on a topic. Alternatively, you can begin typing the tag's
name into the search bar, and a drop-down menu will appear in
which you can select the topic with the up, down, and enter
keys. On the Topics page, you can also view your network's
most popular topics.
Yammer Tech Support
5. A unit of organization?
A discussion forum is hierarchical or tree-like in
structure: a forum can contain a number of
subforums, each of which may have several
topics. Within a forum's topic, each new
discussion started is called a thread, and can be
replied to by as many people as so wish.
Wikipedia: “Internet forum”
6. An abstraction?
A topic map represents information using
• topics, representing any concept, from
people, countries, and organizations to
software modules, individual files, and events,
Wikipedia: Topic Maps
7. Something topical
Trends are determined by an algorithm and are
tailored for you based on who you follow and
your location. This algorithm identifies topics
that are immediately popular, rather than topics
that have been popular for a while or on a daily
basis, to help you discover the hottest emerging
topics of discussion on Twitter that matter most
to you.
Twitter Help Center
8. An essay?
Focusing a research topic is narrowing (or
sometimes broadening) a topic so that you
can demonstrate a good understanding of
it, including enough examples and important
details, within the size limits of the project you
are required to produce. You need to satisfy
both yourself and your teacher that you know
what you are talking about.
CAMBRIDGE RINDGE AND LATIN SCHOOL: Focusing a Research Topic
9. A constrained essay?
For example, the topic "KENYA" is a general
one. If your objective is to write an
overview, this topic is suitable. If your objective
is to write a specific analysis, this topic is too
general. You must narrow it to something like
"Politics in Kenya" or "Kenya's Culture.“
Guide to Writing a Basic Essay http://lklivingston.tripod.com
10. A unit?
A topic is a unit of information with
a title and some form of
content, short enough to be specific
to a single subject or answer a
single question, but long enough to
make sense on its own and be
authored as a unit.
OASIS DITA Version 1.1 Architectural Specification
11. It this a topic?
The Capital of France
The capital of France is Paris.
12. A building block
Topics are written as standalone units of
information. For use in a larger project,
topics need a way to be added to a larger
deliverable. DITA uses the map file to
combine topics in a specific order for
publishing to print (or PDF) output or to
online (or Help) content.
Publishing Smarter: DITA Primer
13. Component or whole?
Would a “topic” on the economy of
Kenya be
One topic?
Built out of many topics?
Let’s see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Kenya
15. IM vs. DITA
IM DITA
Part “Block” “Topic”
Whole “Map” “Map”
Design focus Map Topic
IM points out that DITA focuses on
topic design, but has no theory about
design of maps.
17. Standalone = whole?
It can stand alone
on the parts store
shelf
But it only
functions
usefully when
attached to a car
Image courtesy of gameanna / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
18. Every Page is Page One Topic
An Every Page is Page One Topic
functions alone.
It may or may not be made up of
smaller information blocks.
It may or may not combine “task”,
“concept”, and “reference”
information.
19. Why “Every Page is Page One?”
On the Web, readers arrive at content
Via a Google search
Via a recommendation in a social
network
Via a link from another page
There is no continuity from where
they were before.
Every link leads to a new page one
20. But …
Not every page works well as page
one
The page is in the middle of
something
It does not function alone
An EPPO topic works well no matter
where you come to it from
21. Why it matters
“We seem to be making a cultural
choice---with our new infrastructure's
thumb heavily on the scale---to prefer
to start with abundance rather than
curation. Include it all. Filter it
afterward. Even then, the filters do
not remove anything; they filter
forward, not out.”
David Weinberger: To Big to Know
22. Individual journey
Readers make their individual journey
through a Web of information
Our content is one resource they may
visit on that journey
But wherever they enter our content,
it should act as page one
24. Shared vehicles; unique trips
Many different vehicles
Each functions independently
I chose the sequence to create a
unique journey
The airplane design does not depend
on my arriving by taxi
The BART works the same if I take
the stairs, not the escalator
25. No guided tour
Readers are self directed
We have always known most readers
don’t take the guided tour
They skip and scan and look stuff up
Now they can self direct across the
entire web
To serve them, provide EPPO topics
26. The book model
Books provide the guided tour as
primary means
Linear book
Support self-guided as secondary
means
Scanable subheads
Index
27. The EPPO model
EPPO topics support self-guided as
primary means
Every pages works as page one
Works with search, social curation
Works with external resources
Can still provide a guided tour as a
secondary means
Ordered topic collections
Can include external resources
46. Self Contained
No linear dependencies
Never assumes you have read X
May assume you know X
May require different types of
information “blocks”
Narrative minim
Narrative necessary to understanding
Can be constructed at different lengths
47. Establish Context
Reader may arrive from anywhere
Search and links may be imprecise
Allow the reader to get their bearings
quickly
Navigable context
If they are a little off, help them get
where they should be
48. Specific Limited Purpose
Must have a clear idea of the purpose
it fulfills for the reader
Purpose must be specific
Can’t be self contained or establish
context if purpose not specific
Purpose must be limited
One vehicle in a network the reader
navigates for themselves
Do one thing; do it well
49. Stay on one level
Books tend to change levels
Topics support readers choosing their
own path
Readers decide when they want big
picture or gritty detail
Readers change levels by changing
topics
Topics stay on one level
50. Conform to type
Topics on a common subject tend to
have a similar pattern
Recipes
Encyclopedia articles on cities
Car reviews
Ornithology
Product comparisons
Technical articles 1 2 3 4
51. Assume reader is qualified
Books designed as sole source for
diverse audience
Write for the least qualified reader
Often annoying for experienced reader
Topics are one stop in reader’s self-
directed journey
If reader is not qualified, they can
choose other topics to get qualified
52. Link Richly
Books are designed for linear reading
Links may be considered a distraction
Allow reader to deviate from writer’s
planned course
Topics are for self directed readers
Make context navigable
Enable reader to qualify themselves
Enable switching levels
Enable onward journey
53. Topics and Topic Sets
Need many topics to cover a large
subject area
Create topic sets, not books
Support random entry
Establish type to ensure completeness
and conformance to purpose
Support reader choice within your set
Make them work on the Web
54. Questions?
Contact information
Mark Baker
Analecta Communications Inc.
mbaker@analecta.com
Twitter: @mbakeranalecta
http://analecta.com
http://everypageispageone.com