Join us at Ellwood Thompson's new coffee, beer and wine bar in the Fan for a RUX happy hour. We'll lead a discussion on what you'd like to get out of RUX, bookclub picks and upcoming events.

When: Wednesday June 24, 2009, 6pm – 8pm

Where: Ellwood Thompson  http://www.ellwoodscoffee.com/

Admission is free.

*********************************************************************************************

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Best, The RUX Planning Team

Come on out for your chance to help us plan our upcoming events! Check out
richmondux.com for all the details, and we'll see you at Ellwood Thompsons
tomorrow at 6pm!

EdUI 2009 Conference presentation proposals deadline tomorrow, July 1

Apologies for cross-posting.

=== THE EDUI 2009 PROPOSAL DEADLINE IS TOMORROW, WED. JULY 1 ===

Don't miss your chance to present alongside Dan Rubin, Dana Chisnell,
Jared Spool, Molly Holzschlag, Derek Featherstone, and Michael Wesch.
http://eduiconf.org/speakers

Submit a proposal by the end of the day Wednesday, July 1 in order for
it to be considered. Visit http://www.eduiconf.org/call-for-proposals/.
We only need a brief abstract (250 words or less). Panel and poster
sessions are allowed. Registration fees will be waived for chosen
individual presenters and one member of each panel presentation.

We're particularly interested in:

* Innovation and change in web design and development
* User Experience Design / Interaction Design
* Graphic design and CSS
* Rich UI development (RIA) through Ajax, Flash, and Flex
* Use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs)

=== REGISTRATION IS OPEN ===

Not interested in presenting but still interested in the topics? Then
don't wait to register for this conference! We have a maximum of about
300 attendees and we expect to sell out, so don't delay.  Register
before July 13 to get the early bird rate of $500.

http://eduiconf.org/register

=== KEEP UP WITH THE CONFERENCE ===

Website - http://eduiconf.org
Email - http://eduiconf.org/joinlist
Twitter - http://twitter.com/edui2009
Facebook - http://eduiconf.org/facebook

-----
Best wishes,
EdUI Conference Organizers

It sounds like the conference is going to be great. Wonderful keynote speakers,
too.

Join us for the next installment of the RUX book club! Our July meeting will be
a discussion of Steve Krug's "Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to
Web Usability."

Whether you're brand new to usability or an experienced professional, this easy
to read book is relevant to anyone involved in web design and development.

Look forward to seeing you there!

When: July 28, 2009, 6-8pm

Where: Ellwood Thompson's new coffee bar, www.ellwoodscoffee.com


http://www.richmondux.com

=== LESS THAN A MONTH LEFT. TIME TO REGISTER! ===

It's only a matter of days to go until the EdUI Conference Sept. 21-22
in Charlottesville VA! So now is the time to register if you haven't
already.

http://edui.eventbrite.com


=== ABOUT EDUI ===

http://eduiconf.org

If you don't yet know what EdUI is all about, be sure to check out
http://eduiconf.org . In short, EdUI (the name is a marriage of "Edu"
and "UI") is a conference for web professionals, particularly those in
higher ed or at similarly large institutions, that offers full-day
workshops and peer presentations on user experience and user interface
issues like usability, design, coding, rich media, and social media.

Our speaking lineup features some of the top experts in the web
industry, including Jared Spool as keynote, alongside your peers who
are doing extraordinary things at their institutions. We know training
and travel budgets are tight right now, but we guarantee this is one
of the best values you'll find for professional development! Other
events featuring similar speaker line-ups often cost $1000+ and
require travel to expensive cities. EdUI is held in beautiful,
historic, and affordable Charlottesville VA, home of Thomas Jefferson
and a popular tourist destination http://tinyurl.com/lfmpn3 .


=== TWO NEW SESSIONS JUST ADDED! IPHONE DEV AND WEB APPS VS. WEBSITES ===

Steve VanBrackle presents "Web Development for the Apple iPhone"
http://www.eduiconf.org/session/iphone-vanbrackle/

This session will discuss and demonstrate the tools that Apple
provides for building web applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
An overview of the steps involved in laying out an interface,
customize controllers and adding handlers and code will be covered.

---

Nick Gould presents "What’s in a Name? Guidelines for Designing
Applications vs. Websites"
http://www.eduiconf.org/session/apps-vs-sites-gould/

Recent advances in rich user interface technologies such as DHTML,
AJAX, and Flash have blurred the already fuzzy distinction between
websites and web applications. In fact, many websites actually combine
application-like experiences with website-like experiences with no
ill-effects.

Of course, end users don’t know (or care) whether they are interacting
with a site or an application, they just want to accomplish their
goals–and they have high expectations of usability in all cases. But
does the distinction still matter for interaction designers? Can this
distinction help us to better leverage user expectations and behaviors
towards a more usable and successful experience? Can the
classification of an interface as an application or a website assist
in the speed or effectiveness of the design process? Perhaps…

In this talk, Nick will review the different user and task
characteristics of websites versus web applications and explore the
design guidelines that these characteristics imply. He might also tell
a joke.

---

View the full conference schedule at http://eduiconf.org/program/ .


=== REFER A FRIEND, WIN A DELL LAPTOP! ===

We know you're already planning to come to EdUI 2009 (aren't you) to
see some of the biggest names in web design and development. But what
about your friends and colleagues?

Well, now they can help you win a Dell Latitude 2100 Netbook when you
refer them to us! When they register, tell them to enter your name as
how they heard about the conference. We'll have a drawing during the
conference and announce the winner. Every registration you refer to
EdUI will increase your chances of winning.

See http://tinyurl.com/mr6koq to find out more (including a few
important restrictions).


=== SO YOU'RE REGISTERED. GOT EVERYTHING ELSE LINED UP? ===

-- Buffet Lunch --
Don't forget about our "Birds of a Feather" networking lunch. For just
$16 you get a buffet lunch and a great opportunity to network with
your peers. Sign up now at http://edui.eventbrite.com/ .

-- Hotel Rooms --
Coming from out of town?  We have a block of rooms available for a
special rate. Learn more at http://www.eduiconf.org/venue-and-travel/
.


------

EdUI is made possible by The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
http://www.VirginiaFoundation.org , in partnership with the University
of Virginia http://www.Virginia.edu and an array of corporate
sponsors.

------
Best wishes,
EdUI Conference Organizers

Our main inspirer, Susan Teague Rector, is leaving Richmond for Raleigh. She is
the person who founded RUX, she's been a great leader, and we'll sorely miss
her.

So let's all get together to wish her well, talk about where RUX is going, chat
about user experience, and generally have fun.

Where: Ellwood's Cafe (Cary & Ellwood at the west edge of Carytown)
When: Tonight (Tuesday, September 29), from 6:00-8:00
Extra: Another giveaway/door prize: Visual Thinking for Design by Colin Ware
(courtesy of Russ Unger & IDEA `09)

Agility for UX Professionals
Wednesday, November 18, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (more details later)

Two hours of UX war stories from the trenches!
Or,
How UX can be agile without having to be Agile: Surviving the project battle
successfully.

Free pizza and soda for the first 15 attendees.

saw this while on twitter

http://bit.ly/1IbYje
 

All the best,

 

Kathryn (Kat) Hurst

IA with SnagAJob
http://www.snagajob.com/careers/#ia

====

Information Architect
Location: Richmond, Virginia

SnagAJob.com is seeking an experienced and passionate IA to join our growing Web
Experience team. This team is responsible for designing, building, and
supporting, front-end elements used throughout SnagAJob.com as well as other
online company initiatives. The Web Experience team is critical to ensuring that
SnagAJob.com provides the best user experience possible to its internal and
external users.

As IA you will be a vital link between Product and Engineering (collaborative
personality a must). You will be responsible for creating documents such as;
wireframes, site maps and prototypes that translate user requirements into a
visual form-enabling internal and external customers to experience a product
prior to its development. You must also have a results driven attitude and be
willing to back your ideas and designs with user testing and site metrics.

In addition to IA responsibilities this candidate should also possess the design
skills needed to translate documents into detailed design comps that will be
used by our Web Developers to build the final product.
Responsibilities

     * Plan, design, and conduct user experience research throughout the product
development process, including competitive evaluations, iterative prototypes,
usability testing, and similar methods
     * Produce and communicate necessary design deliverables, including
wireframes, prototypes and mockups, across a multidisciplinary team throughout
all phases of the project
     * Advocate for the end user by building consensus with stakeholders to
ensure that design and business goals are balanced with user needs
     * Perform usability test planning, execution, reviews and results analysis

Qualifications

     * Minimum of 4 years experience as Information Architect
     * Solid understanding of information architecture and user interface design
concepts and techniques
     * Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills
     * Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
     * Strong portfolio of IA deliverables
     * Experience with major design software (Photoshop, Illustrator and
InDesign)
     * Experience working in an Agile environment a plus
     * Familiarity with usability testing
     * Familiarity with CSS and HTML

Compensation and Benefits:

SnagAJob.com offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package
including medical, dental, life, short and long-term disability insurance, 401k
plan, tuition reimbursement, holidays, paid time off (starting with 18 days); a
generous commission plan; and a casual, fun work environment.

Top-Notch Content Strategist Needed! Leading Content Agency seeks full-time
content pro - Greensboro, NC.

Contact scottabel@...

I was contacted by a technical recruiter Friday about this position. I already
work full-time, so I'm posting the job description and contact info for anyone
who's interested. This is all I know -- get in touch with John if you have
questions or want to apply.

-----------------------------
Interface Developer
-----------------------------

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Synigent Technologies currently has a 6 month contract opportunity with their
local client.  The candidate will be responsible for the development of the User
Interface for our clients web application.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
·          Develop XHTML, CSS and assist development with integration of User
Interface into Java Application.
·          Work with the Business to team to create a User Interface that will
enhance our customer's experience
·          Program User Interface functionality using JavaScript Framework
·          Work with Project Management to help develop project plans and meet
schedules
·          Develop and execute functional, regression tests for User Interface
Technology
·          Availability for production support


QUALIFICATIONS:
·          Five or more years work experience.
·          Three or more years Java, JavaScript, HTML or XHTML experience
·          Three or more years experience working with Cascading Style Sheets

SKILLS:
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), DHTML, GUI, HP-UX, HTML, Java, JavaScript, JPEG

John C. Griffin
Synigent Technologies
4435 Waterfront Drive, suite 202
Glen Allen, VA  23060
(804) 421-6621, office
(804) 306-4603, mobile
(804) 217-6867, fax

Richmond User Experience Meet Up

When:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where:
Barrel Thief
11747 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 364-0144
http://www.barrelthiefwine.com/shortpump

What:
Meet and connect with fellow UX practitioners from Richmond's vibrant user
experience community. IxDA board member Joe Sokohl will share highlights from
the recent Interaction 10 Conference. Admission is free. Pay only for drinks and
food.

About RUX:
We are a group of information architects, librarians, web developers, usability
experts, user experience designers, and other like-minded people from the
Richmond/Charlottesville area. Our events are designed to facilitate
communication and collaboration among UX practitioners in a relaxed and informal
setting. Meetings are free and open to all levels of experience. Students are
welcome. Whether you're a seasoned user experience professional or a newbie,
please join us for stimulating conversation! Visit: http://richmondux.com

"User Research on a Shoestring: Knowing Your Users Without Spending a Bundle"

How can you design applications and Web sites if you don't know who your users
are? But what if you don't have tons of time and heaps of money? Join Web
Application Developer Erin White from Virginia Commonwealth University's Library
(VCUL). She will talk about their experience with Usabilla, the CrazyEgg
heatmapping software they're using at VCUL, their mini-feedback methods, and the
guerilla tests they've run with our users. Also, Tom Illmensee from SnagAJob.com
will share some experiences with keeping costs down.

In conjunction with her talk, Rosenfeld Media is giving a way a copy of Nate
Bolt & Tony Tulathimutte's book, Remote Research: Real Users, Real Time, Real
Research (http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/books/remote-research/). Some lucky
person will win the book as well as an accompanying PDF version. All attendees
will also receive the PDF version of the book.

When? Wednesday, April 28, 2010
6-7:30 pm

Where? Snagajob
4880 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA

How can you design applications and Web sites if you don't know who your users
are? But what if you don't have tons of time and heaps of money? Join Web
Application Developer Erin White from Virginia Commonwealth University's Library
(VCUL). She will talk about their experience with Usabilla, the CrazyEgg
heatmapping software they're using at VCUL, their mini-feedback methods, and the
guerilla tests they've run with our users. Also, Tom Illmensee from SnagAJob.com
will share some experiences with keeping costs down.

In conjunction with her talk, Rosenfeld Media is giving a way a copy of Nate
Bolt & Tony Tulathimutte's book, Remote Research: Real Users, Real Time, Real
Research (http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com/books/remote-research/). Some lucky
person will win the book as well as an accompanying PDF version. All attendees
will also receive the PDF version of the book.

When
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 (tonight!!)
6-7:30 pm

Where
SnagAJob.com
4880 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA

The Rutgers University Mini-Masters Certificate in User Experience
Design (UXD) is an immersive 6-day program in human-computer interaction.

Course start date is June 21, 2010. Ideal for web design professionals, user
interface designers, and software engineers, students will gain an understanding
of the underlying psychology and sociology that guides user design. Did you know
statistics show 63% of software projects overrun their budgetary estimates,
typically due to unforeseen usability problems?

Three internationally known Usability experts Dr. Marilyn Tremaine,
Mr. Ronnie Battista, and Dr. Allen Milewski couple their different
backgrounds in academia, marketing, and industry to make the Rutgers
program one of the top design interface courses in the country.

For complete information on the Rutgers User Experience Design course,
feel free to contact me or visit
http://rate.rutgers.edu/programs/uxd-user-experience-design.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE $249 by using the promo code USABILITY at
checkout.

Regards,

Marcus Crews
Marketing
Rutgers Advanced Technology Extension (RATE)
P: (732) 445-4208 ext. 109
E: MCrews@...
www.rate.rutgers.edu

Thanks to the generosity of Rosenfeld Media (http://www.rosenfeldmedia.com), RUX
members get a huge discount on their books! Just go to the Web site, order
books. Then use the discount code

UXBOOKRICHMOND

at checkout. It is now active for 30% off RM products through May 15, 2010.

Many thanks to Rosenfeld Media (follow then at @rosenfeldmedia on Twitter).