[Sigia-l] Re:Serious Discussion of IA Research?

[Patrick Debois]

Ed Housman wrote:

>..
>Your analogy to the construction business and the role of the
>architect in creating a physical shell that won't fall down,
>won't cost too much, is pleasing to be in, accommodates stated
>human functions, etc. ... that analogy had me hopeless in
>my search for research fronts.  It is so eclectic.
>  
>
Being a non-native english speaker, i looked up the word eclectic. Your 
word "hopeless" seems to make it a bad thing.
But reading at the "On being eclectic" 
http://www.theosophical.org/theosophy/questmagazine/januaryfebruary2000/viewpoint/ 
, i'm not so sure  anymore. What precisely do you mean with "had me 
hopeless"?

>>...
>>Let me make little comparison with a construction architect. He needs to 
>>be a versatile person to get the job well done:
>>-know things about design (what looks nice)
>>-know how to make things pratical (usability,~ findability)
>>-know things about human behaviour (should the kitchen be near the 
>>living room)
>>-know things about psychology (what colours depresses people, how to 
>>create effect of large rooms)
>>-know things about socially (are the neighbours going to complain about 
>>the large wall, can we see in the neighbours bed room ;-)
>>-know what building materials exist and how they relate (make it wood, 
>>plastic)
>>-know what things cost and making it a cost effective design (sure you 
>>want it in gold, but that would cost to much)
>>-guide constructor companies to making the correct decisions
>>-being a project manager to coordinate the whole process
>>    
>>