Annual Report of the System Design Group, Dec 1995 ======================================== 1) Mandate and/or reason for being formed The "System Design Subcommittee" was created in the Big Bang of NCF's genesis. Its task was to determine the best technology to achieve the broad goals of the National Capital FreeNet (NCF), within constraints selected by the NCF and its members. System design is also concerned with usability, presentation, and services. Issues are discussed from a human interaction perspective; how things 'look and feel'. Discussion of FreeNet hardware and software technology, though often related, is hosted in the Hardware-Software discussion area. 2) Members and contact information Everyone is welcome to participate in the system design discussion area and task forces. Jim Elder (aa456) has been acting as current caretaker of the system design menus. Jim Elder and Andre Vellino coordinated the now-complete menu design task force (see note attached below). Al Seaman coordinated the most recent Style Guide edition. Lisa Donnelly, Ian Allen, and Alana Boltwood have had a significant hand in many of the accomplishments. 3) Processes used for carrying out duties The NCF relies on volunteers for the system design function. Volunteers use the "go sys-design" system design work space to: * coordinate activities * communicate to each other and to help newcomers get up to speed so they can contribute * provide a forum for review of proposals and feedback on initiatives No general meetings are held; a general discussion newsgroup serves that purpose. When a significant 'sub-task' is identified (such as the NCF menu improvement project), a sub-menu is created within the system design menu to house the new task. Most work gets done offline by individuals and at task-oriented meetings held on a as-needed basis. 4) Overview of 1995 activity, accomplishments and if possible figures In 1995, the main subtasks of the system design group were: NCF menu improvement, NCF menu style guide, and the AGM questionnaire. In July, the contributions of about 15 people over the course of a year culminated when a new menu organization was installed at NCF. The NCF menu style guide, finalized early in the year, was used in this effort, and continues to guide content providers and NCF administrative groups. Over 1500 members participated in the AGM questionnaire, providing information about their software, hardware, and attitudes toward funding and NCF in general. See 'go questionnaire' for the excellent analysis provided by Alana Boltwood. Information from the questionnaire was valuable input to the board's Planning Committee. Studies were conducted of NCF account usage (about half of NCF's members use their accounts, same as last year), user interface settings, and the changes in the male/female ratio over time (tending toward 50:50). The system design group hosted much discussion that prepared NCF for offering the Lynx World Wide Web browser to its members. The system design discussion group had about 500 postings in 1995. The menu design discussion group had 400 postings, and the style guide discussion group about 30. See 'go sys-design'. 5) Any suggestions for 1996 goals and objectives for your volunteer group The system design workspaces function well as low-cost, low-effort communication channels, but I suggest that the system design committee responsibilities be transferred to an accountable NCF staff person. Attachment (posted/mailed in late 1995): To: Everyone who helped improve the NCF menus, including: Al Banner Bob Barr Ian Allen Michael Richardson Al Seaman Brian Monkman Julie Chahal Miranda Gray Alana Boltwood Gary Deane Lisa Donnelly Pat Drummond Andre' Vellino George Skarzynski Matthew Darwin Richard Taylor Tom Wright As coordinator of many menu design meetings over the last year, a sincere thank you for your participation, especially to those who worked hard to prepare material for the meetings. The preparatory work in the last half of 1994 served well during implementation in the first half of 1995. The new menus went 'live' on July 9 with little trouble and many compliments. Thank you, Andre', for coordinating the last few meetings leading up to the menu switch-over. * * * Jim Elder, aa456 as caretaker of the System Design menu and workspaces