object(WP_Query)#69 (47) { ["query_vars"]=> array(55) { ["year"]=> int(2006) ["error"]=> string(0) "" ["m"]=> int(0) ["p"]=> int(0) ["post_parent"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost"]=> string(0) "" ["subpost_id"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment"]=> string(0) "" ["attachment_id"]=> int(0) ["name"]=> string(0) "" ["static"]=> string(0) "" ["pagename"]=> string(0) "" ["page_id"]=> int(0) ["second"]=> string(0) "" ["minute"]=> string(0) "" ["hour"]=> string(0) "" ["day"]=> int(0) ["monthnum"]=> int(0) ["w"]=> int(0) ["category_name"]=> string(0) "" ["tag"]=> string(0) "" ["cat"]=> string(0) "" ["tag_id"]=> string(0) "" ["author_name"]=> string(0) "" ["feed"]=> string(0) "" ["tb"]=> string(0) "" ["paged"]=> int(0) ["comments_popup"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_key"]=> string(0) "" ["meta_value"]=> string(0) "" ["preview"]=> string(0) "" ["s"]=> string(0) "" ["sentence"]=> string(0) "" ["fields"]=> string(0) "" ["category__in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["category__and"]=> array(0) { } ["post__in"]=> array(0) { } ["post__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__not_in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag__and"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__in"]=> array(0) { } ["tag_slug__and"]=> array(0) { } ["ignore_sticky_posts"]=> bool(false) ["suppress_filters"]=> bool(false) ["cache_results"]=> bool(false) ["update_post_term_cache"]=> bool(true) ["update_post_meta_cache"]=> bool(true) ["post_type"]=> string(0) "" ["posts_per_page"]=> int(15) ["nopaging"]=> bool(false) ["comments_per_page"]=> string(2) "50" ["no_found_rows"]=> bool(false) ["order"]=> string(4) "DESC" } ["tax_query"]=> object(WP_Tax_Query)#90 (2) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> string(3) "AND" } ["meta_query"]=> object(WP_Meta_Query)#89 (2) { ["queries"]=> array(0) { } ["relation"]=> NULL } ["post_count"]=> int(15) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> string(2) "88" ["max_num_pages"]=> float(6) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(false) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(true) ["is_date"]=> bool(true) ["is_year"]=> bool(true) ["is_month"]=> bool(false) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(false) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_comments_popup"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(false) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash"]=> string(32) "3bccf6c450f5771f066468439dfdc571" ["query_vars_changed"]=> bool(false) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["query"]=> array(1) { ["year"]=> string(4) "2006" } ["request"]=> string(218) " SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_posts.* FROM wp_posts WHERE 1=1 AND YEAR(wp_posts.post_date)='2006' AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (wp_posts.post_status = 'publish') ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC LIMIT 0, 15" ["posts"]=> &array(15) { [0]=> object(stdClass)#114 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(140) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-12-01 08:29:39" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-30 22:29:39" ["post_content"]=> string(1406) "You've got until just Monday to get your designs in for the Digital Web design a snowboard competition, to win a ticket to the conference, trips to Whister on the after conference ski trip, as well as a tonne of other great prices, including 50% off for life on Media Temple's innovative new grid based web hosting service, a copy of Adobe Studio 8, great books from Friends of Ed, New Rider, iStockPhoto Credit, a copy of BBEdit, and more.All you need to do is design a snowboard - you can grab a blank from here, and check out the current designs for some inspiration here. They can be stylish, witty, minimal, whatever. I can see myself riding this one

snowboard design from Nina Karlavaris

a good mix of style and quirkiness - the way I ride (in my dreams, I think I just ride quirky) but there are other great designs there too.You've got 'til Monday, so block out some time this weekend, and you'll have a great shot at some greeat prizes.A big thank you to the wonderful Digital Web magazine for putting together such a great competition!

" ["post_title"]=> string(52) "Digital Web/Web Directions design competition update" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(51) "digital-webweb-directions-design-competition-update" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-12-01 08:29:39" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-30 22:29:39" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(92) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/digital-webweb-directions-design-competition-update/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(stdClass)#115 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(139) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-11-28 16:32:15" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-28 06:32:15" ["post_content"]=> string(1695) "Want to come to Web Directions but not sure whether tyou have the budget? We've just made it a bit easier for you. We’ve created an opportunity for you to get yourself a free ticket, as well as hotel accomodation and places on the ski trip.Join our affiliate program and get 4 people to sign up for the conference and we'll give you a free ticket for youself. And then for every additional 5 after this, we'll put you up for a night in the conference hotel, or give you a day of skiing and boarding at Blackcomb Whistler - up to you.All you need to do is get your unique URL from us, and then you can spread the word in whatever way you think is right for you.To get involved, all you need to do is send us your details via this page and we'll send you your unique affiliate URL.Once you have the URL you can promote the conference however you like - and it's ok to get imaginitive with this. You can simply talk about the conference at your site, and use any of our badges.Or, it’s absolutely OK to team up with 4 friends, use the URL to sign up, apply for the free ticket, then share the price of the 4 tickets between the 5 of you – this way you each pay just $716 – a 20% discount.The combination of amazing speakers, fantastic location, and ofter hours events will make Web Directions North about as good as a conference can be. But the connections and friendships that you build there are what will make it even better. Start now with our affiliate program, and see you in Vancouver come February." ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Web Directions North Affiliate Program" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(38) "web-directions-north-affiliate-program" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-11-28 16:32:15" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-28 06:32:15" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(79) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/web-directions-north-affiliate-program/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [2]=> object(stdClass)#116 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(138) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-11-21 09:22:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-20 23:22:14" ["post_content"]=> string(1259) "Our very good friends over at Digital Web Magazine are giving away a ticket to the conference (including a post conference day skiing or snowboarding at Whistler), and two runner up prizes of a day's skiing or boarding at Whistler.

To win, submit your very own snowboard design! In the grand tradition of pro snowboarders and classic boardsmiths like Burton, Lib Tech, and Sims, we invite you to put your design skills into the most radical snowboard ever! Make it geeky, make it awesome, make it classic—whatever you want, it's your design. Not a designer? We've got an option for you. Take a photo of yourself on an improvised snowboard of your own invention. Sure, it might not be snow-legal, but it could work in a pinch. The more inventive, the better! Absolutely can't attend? Enter your design anyway - join the fun! Plus, we just might have some other prizes.

Entry details over at Digital Web - so check 'em out and start designing. - And here's a blank to get you started.

snowboard blank

" ["post_title"]=> string(79) "Get creative and win a ticket to Web Directions North with Digital Web Magazine" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(79) "get-creative-and-win-a-ticket-to-web-directions-north-with-digital-web-magazine" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-11-21 09:22:14" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-20 23:22:14" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(120) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/get-creative-and-win-a-ticket-to-web-directions-north-with-digital-web-magazine/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "3" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(stdClass)#117 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(137) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 12:54:05" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 02:54:05" ["post_content"]=> string(1837) "Got a hankering to relive a bit of the Web Directions experience? Missed the conference but keen to stay in touch with the developer community? Like parties? Be there for Webjam on the evening of December 12.Brought to you by Sydney developers Anson Parker and Lachlan Hardy, Webjam will be a fast paced shoot-out of home-grown innovation where designers, developers, information architects -- really anyone in the web industry -- will get 3 minutes each to present something they've been working on this year.Come along, have a drink and a bite to eat with your peers and see what Aussie developers have been up to in 2006.

Be the entertainment

What have you been up to? Have you, your team or your company been working on the next big thing? Or maybe you've developed a cool new feature for your website. Perhaps you've overhauled a creaking old site into a masterpiece of usability and accessibility. Whatever it is, as long as you can tell us about it in 3 minutes, we would love you to come and show it off at Webjam.The proposition is simple: we provide a laptop, a projector, 3 minutes and a room full of increasingly drunk peers -- you do the rest! Register now.To the voting public, we want you too! You will be the judges, voting on those presentations that educated, impressed or just plain amused. Come along, join us for a Christmas drink and enjoy a display of jaw-dropping technology from the guns of the Australian web development scene.

Details

What: Webjam 2006 When: 6.00pm for 6.30pm Tuesday December 12 2006 Where: Hotel CBD, Jam Bar, Level 4, 52 King Street, Sydney Cost: Free, but please RSVP" ["post_title"]=> string(46) "Announcing Webjam 2006 - December 12 at 6.00pm" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(43) "announcing-webjam-2006-december-12-at-600pm" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 12:54:05" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 02:54:05" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(84) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/announcing-webjam-2006-december-12-at-600pm/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "1" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [4]=> object(stdClass)#118 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(136) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 09:35:57" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-07 23:35:57" ["post_content"]=> string(971) "Last year the usability community very cleverly started "World Usability Day" to promote the profession, practice, and importance of usability. This year, WUD is next week, November 14th, and Events are planned around the world, including in Sydney, at the State Library.The focus is communicating ways of improving the user experience of products and services.The program includes:
  • The benefits of including usability when designing products and services;
  • Microsoft’s usability strategy for Office 2007;
  • Mobile phone usability and the opportunities for the future; and
  • A demonstration of how vision impaired users experience the web and how it can be improved.
This event also provides an opportunity to talk to professionals and learn more about developments in usability.For more information visit: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/event/show/163" ["post_title"]=> string(19) "World Usability Day" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(19) "world-usability-day" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-11-08 09:35:57" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-11-07 23:35:57" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(60) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/world-usability-day/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(stdClass)#119 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(135) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-27 10:17:55" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-27 00:17:55" ["post_content"]=> string(912) "After months of feverish behind-the-scenes work, putting together a killer program, an amazing lineup of speakers, working on dates, venues, the site, a registration system and more, Web Directions North is now officially open for registrations.After a fantastic conference in Sydney, we are really excited to be bringing Web Directions to Vancouver. So until November 3rd we are offering an extra special discounted price of just $CDN795, $200 off our standard price, for the first 100 people who sign up. We've already had quite a few early registrations, so don't wait too long.So take a look a our speaker lineup and program, check your diary, and register now.We'll see you in a bit over three months in Vancouver,Dave, Derek, Maxine and John" ["post_title"]=> string(61) "Web Directions North - Super Early Bird Tickets Now Available" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(59) "web-directions-north-super-early-bird-tickets-now-available" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-27 10:17:55" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-27 00:17:55" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(100) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/web-directions-north-super-early-bird-tickets-now-available/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [6]=> object(stdClass)#120 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(134) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-17 14:53:36" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-17 04:53:36" ["post_content"]=> string(815) "As promised, as they come to hand, more of our podcasts are going online.We've just uploaded, Ben Barren's "RSS will change everything" and Thomas Vander Wal's "Information architecture for the come to me web".Follow this link to subscribe to our RSS feed for the podcasts.We also have more and more slides from speakers going online, as well as the live blogging transcripts from each of the sessions at our resources section, and we'll have full transcripts of all the podcasts soon too.So don't let the excitement of Web Directions fade![tags]wd06, podcasts, slideshare[/tags]" ["post_title"]=> string(34) "More podcasts and resources online" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(34) "more-podcasts-and-resources-online" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-17 14:53:36" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-17 04:53:36" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(75) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/more-podcasts-and-resources-online/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "4" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [7]=> object(stdClass)#121 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(133) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-12 14:03:45" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-12 04:03:45" ["post_content"]=> string(2125) "One of the meany fabulous local speakers at Web Directions this year was Laurel Papworth (whose collection of user generated video content was fantastically entertaining, but whose presentation on building online communities was all the more interesting) is giving two courses in the coming weeks. If they look remotely relevant to what you are doing, I suggest you get along.

MARKETING INTO ONLINE COMMUNITIES

9.00am - 5.00pm Friday 20 October: 1 day How close to your market are you? The internet has come of age and today's customers have real time discussions on accepting and rejecting products and services. If you're eager to understand how to maximise the value of viral marketing to gain and manage a loyal customer community, and minimise the pitfalls of handing your brand (willingly or unwillingly) over to your customers, don't miss this course! We'll look at success stories, current and future trends in external marketing and internal communications, and readily available technology to facilitate user generated content within your customer networks.Details, and full PDF course description

BLOGS AS A PUBLISHING TOOL

9.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 28 October: 1 day Are you a budding journalist, writer or hobbyist who wants to gain an audience through a web log (blog)? See how others have used blogs to publish their books, such as Baghdad Burning, which was nominated for the BBC Four's Samuel Johnson Prize for Non Fiction. This course will show you how to start your own blog using free websites, and how to use tags, moderate comments, and add photos and video. We'll also look at some opportunities available through blogs to make money from your writing.Details, and full PDF course description" ["post_title"]=> string(34) "Laurel Papworth - upcoming courses" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(32) "laurel-papworth-upcoming-courses" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-12 14:03:45" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-12 04:03:45" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(73) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/laurel-papworth-upcoming-courses/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [8]=> object(stdClass)#122 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(132) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-11 09:15:04" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-10 23:15:04" ["post_content"]=> string(1040) "We had to do a bit of deliberating on this, and between myself and John and REMO there was certainly some controversy. Thanks firstly to all those who entered, and all those who wore their t shirts to the conference.After many heated arguments and soul searching we decided that the most worthy was Anson Parker's WALLET INSPECTR. NIGERIAN DIVISION, and that the two runners up should be Lachlan Hunt's Wake Me for Web 3.14 and Nick Cowie's the web is not a power drill. Anson's got himself a neat little Sony Mylo (just as soon as they get released :-) and Nick and Lachlan have got themselves some more REMO dollars - don't spend it all on potato guns guys!In other news, post conference resources are coming in - watch this space....." ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Web 2.0 T Shirt Competition - Winners!" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(34) "web-20-t-shirt-competition-winners" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-11 09:15:04" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-10 23:15:04" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(75) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/web-20-t-shirt-competition-winners/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "3" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [9]=> object(stdClass)#123 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(131) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-10 08:20:58" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-09 22:20:58" ["post_content"]=> string(1826) "Now we've all had a little time to recover after the whirlwind of the conference (one day I hope to be able to just relax and enjoy it) we are putting together the resources that emerged from all the marvellous speaker's sessions.The first two of our podcasts, recorded and edited by Scott Bryant and Dan Boud, with some great pre production work by Andrew Krespanis, are online now. Sign up to the podcast RSS feed to keep track of these. BTW, we aren't being cynical by releasing them a few at a time - post production takes time, and we know you simply can't listen to nearly 20 hours of audio all at once! So as they become available, we'll get them online.We are also getting all the presentations transcribed - this will take a little time, and we have, and will have more of, the slides from presenters, along with Andrew K's live blogging notes - all in all a great set of resources - many many thanks to our presenters for this.For some of the slides, we are using a really interesting new service - slideshare. It lets you upload openoffice or powerpoint slides (keynote users, export as powerpoint) and makes them available online. It's really nice, espceically as the service is new, and for us a big step up from PDFs which we've been using for a long time. You can comment on the slides too, so get along and start chatting.For all the resouces, head over to the site, refresh your memory if you were there, or see what you missed out on if you weren't (and get a sense of what Web Directions North in Vancouver, Canada, in February 2007 will be like.)john[tags]wd06, webdirections, conference[/tags]" ["post_title"]=> string(31) "Podcasts and more coming online" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(31) "podcasts-and-more-coming-online" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-10 08:20:58" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-09 22:20:58" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(72) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/podcasts-and-more-coming-online/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "3" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [10]=> object(stdClass)#124 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(112) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-04 08:48:22" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-03 22:48:22" ["post_content"]=> string(1242) "Last Thursday, at the end of day 1 of the conference, we announced the winners of the inaugural McFarlane Prize for Excellence in Australian Web Design.We were very honoured to have Nigel McFarlane's parents at the ceremony, and the Prize was awarded by Nigel's sister, Colleen.

Congratulations to the web development team from Museum Victoria, winners of the inaugural McFarlane Prize, for Caught and Coloured. It is a beautiful, well developed, usable and accessible site.

Congratulations too to Glass Onion, developers of the The Australian College of Physical Education site - highly commended by the Jury.

Thank you to all the nominees, and a particularly big thank you to Andy Coffey, for his painting "Page Impression" which was awarded to the winners of the prize, and to the Judges for their huge efforts and their expertise in deciding this year's winner.

We'll shortly be publishing some comments and thoughts from the Judges regarding the sites they saw - things developers are doing well, things that we could improve. So keep an eye here.

" ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Announcing the McFarlane Prize winners" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(38) "announcing-the-mcfarlane-prize-winners" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-04 08:48:22" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-03 22:48:22" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(79) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/announcing-the-mcfarlane-prize-winners/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [11]=> object(stdClass)#125 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(111) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "3" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-10-02 17:05:30" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-02 07:05:30" ["post_content"]=> string(415) "Fresh from sellout shows in Sydney, Ireland's best export since Guinness, Jeremy Keith will be appearing for one night only, in Melbourne, presented by Web Directions and the Web Standards Group.Centre for Innovation & Technology Commercialisation Level 1, 257 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000For more info and to RSVP, see the WSG site" ["post_title"]=> string(87) "Web Directions and Web Standards Group presents Jeremy Keith in Melbourne this Thursday" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(87) "web-directions-and-web-standards-group-presents-jeremy-keith-in-melbourne-this-thursday" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2006-10-02 17:05:30" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-02 07:05:30" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(128) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/web-directions-and-web-standards-group-presents-jeremy-keith-in-melbourne-this-thursday/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [12]=> object(stdClass)#126 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(130) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-09-30 19:34:42" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-10-01 00:34:42" ["post_content"]=> string(1676) "A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.

Session description

Designers are more than mere pixel pushers. The role of the creative designer working on the web has changed and will continue to change faster than ever before. In this session, Andy Clarke will discuss how designers should now play the pivotal part in the creation of engaging user experiences, binding together the roles of information architects, content authors and technical developers. It's time to put designers in the hot seat.

About Andy Clarke

Andy Clarke PortraitAndy Clarke is a sought-after speaker, designer and consultant focusing on creative, accessible web development. Andy is passionate about design and passionate about web standards, often bridging the gap between design and code. He regularly trains designers and developers in the creative applications of web standards and writes about aspects of design and popular culture on his personal web site, And All That Malarkey.

" ["post_title"]=> string(38) "Andy Clarke - Creating Inspired Design" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(672) "A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.Andy Clarke PortraitDesigners are more than mere pixel pushers. The role of the creative designer working on the web has changed and will continue to change faster than ever before. In this session, Andy Clarke will discuss how designers should now play the pivotal part in the creation of engaging user experiences, binding together the roles of information architects, content authors and technical developers. It's time to put designers in the hot seat." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(13) "andy-clarke-1" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2008-07-24 21:38:07" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2008-07-25 02:38:07" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(77) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/andy-clarke-creating-inspired-design/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [13]=> object(stdClass)#127 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(129) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-09-30 18:11:38" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-09-30 23:11:38" ["post_content"]=> string(2502) "A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.

Session description

It seems that everyone is talking about user generated content and online communities these days. But how will citizen journalism, user-generated content, the Blogosphere, tagging, ranking, and Wiki knowledge reshape branding and your business? How do you manage and scale this community and then hand control to your users (and how do you explain to the boss what you've just done?). Gain an understanding that dialogue is the new content and learn how to maximise the benefits (and minimise the pitfalls) of creating online communities in this presentation.

About Laurel Papworth

Laurel Papworth PortraitLaurel Papworth runs a consultancy specialising in maximising value from establishing online communities.

Back in the nineties she had key roles in major projects such as NewsPro (digitising Fairfax Newspapers in 1994) and Optus Networker (the first WAP product in Australia in 1999). As part of establishing Optus Convergent media, she managed optus.com and optus.net editorial and technical teams. The last 10 years have been spent outside Australia, working for such major players as Telkomsel Indonesia, UUNET Europe and Cisco Asia.Laurel is a leading expert on user generated content. She set up an online community for Cisco using user generated content from project managers to manage knowledge transfer across Asia. She's also been an administrator for Stratics.com, a massive MMORPG site that handles the official online newspaper, forums etc for Ultima Online and others.Excited to be back in Australia, her current projects include consulting to a major international studio and entertainment group in preparation of the launch of a children's TV program across AsiaPacific that addresses childhood obesity and health combining animation with online communities." ["post_title"]=> string(52) "Laurel Papworth - The business of online communities" ["post_category"]=> string(1) "0" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(802) "A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.Laurel Papworth PortraitIt seems that everyone is talking about user generated content and online communities these days. But how will citizen journalism, user-generated content, the Blogosphere, tagging, ranking, and Wiki knowledge reshape branding and your business? How do you manage and scale this community and then hand control to your users (and how do you explain to the boss what you've just done?). Gain an understanding that dialogue is the new content and learn how to maximise the benefits (and minimise the pitfalls) of creating online communities in this presentation." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(17) "laurel-papworth-2" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2008-07-24 21:39:10" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2008-07-25 02:39:10" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(91) "http://westciv.com/webdirections08/blog/laurel-papworth-the-business-of-online-communities/" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [14]=> object(stdClass)#128 (25) { ["ID"]=> int(128) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "7" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2006-09-30 18:11:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2006-09-30 23:11:14" ["post_content"]=> string(2020) "A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 28 2006

Presentation slides

Session description

RSS and syndication offer exciting new ways for organisations to manage information, communicate internally, and to reach out to their customers and stakeholders. Are you ready for this? A lot of product names are springing up in this space, but to make a great decision about what can happen in your organisation you need to understand the technology, its potential and challenges.

About Ben Barren

Ben Barren has spent the last 11+ years in hands-on business roles helping establish leaders such as ninemsn's Carpoint business, Virtual Communities online division, and Sensis Search' Media Smart advertising unit.

In 2005 he co-founded his own venture, Feedcorp Pty Ltd, which in May 06 launches its first business – gnoos.com.au. Gnoos will be the first Australian search engine (using RSS) which allows consumers to find out what bloggers and media are talking about locally and globally.

Ben is strongly focused on the next wave of Web 2.0 businesses - RSS, as well as podcasting and blogging and its implication for media, search and startup companies.
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snowboard design from Nina Karlavaris

a good mix of style and quirkiness - the way I ride (in my dreams, I think I just ride quirky) but there are other great designs there too.You've got 'til Monday, so block out some time this weekend, and you'll have a great shot at some greeat prizes.A big thank you to the wonderful Digital Web magazine for putting together such a great competition!

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News from 2006

Memories and articles from back in the day

Digital Web/​Web Directions design competition update

You’ve got until just Monday to get your designs in for the Digital Web design a snowboard competition, to win a ticket to the conference, trips to Whister on the after conference ski trip, as well as a tonne of other great prices, including 50% off for life on … Read more »

Web Directions North Affiliate Program

Want to come to Web Directions but not sure whether tyou have the budget? We’ve just made it a bit easier for you. We’ve created an opportunity for you to get yourself a free ticket, as well as hotel accomodation and places on the ski trip.

Join our affiliate program … Read more »

Get creative and win a ticket to Web Directions North with Digital Web Magazine

Our very good friends over at Digital Web Magazine are giving away a ticket to the conference (including a post conference day skiing or snowboarding at Whistler), and two runner up prizes of a day’s skiing or boarding at Whistler.

To win, submit your very own snowboard design! In the … Read more »

Announcing Webjam 2006 — December 12 at 6.00pm

Got a hankering to relive a bit of the Web Directions experience? Missed the conference but keen to stay in touch with the developer community? Like parties? Be there for Webjam on the evening of December 12.

Brought to you by Sydney developers Anson Parker and Lachlan Hardy, Webjam will … Read more »

World Usability Day

Last year the usability community very cleverly started “World Usability Day” to promote the profession, practice, and importance of usability. This year, WUD is next week, November 14th, and Events are planned around the world, including in Sydney, at the State Library.

The focus is communicating ways of improving the user … Read more »

Web Directions North — Super Early Bird Tickets Now Available

After months of feverish behind-​​the-​​scenes work, putting together a killer program, an amazing lineup of speakers, working on dates, venues, the site, a registration system and more, Web Directions North is now officially open for registrations.

After a fantastic conference in Sydney, we are really excited to … Read more »

More podcasts and resources online

As promised, as they come to hand, more of our podcasts are going online.

We’ve just uploaded, Ben Barren’s “RSS will change everything” and Thomas Vander Wal’s “Information architecture for the come to me web”.

Follow this link to subscribe to our RSS feed for the podcasts.

We also have … Read more »

Laurel Papworth — upcoming courses

One of the meany fabulous local speakers at Web Directions this year was Laurel Papworth (whose collection of user generated video content was fantastically entertaining, but whose presentation on building online communities was all the more interesting) is giving two courses in the coming weeks. If they look remotely relevant … Read more »

Web 2.0 T Shirt Competition — Winners!

We had to do a bit of deliberating on this, and between myself and John and REMO there was certainly some controversy. Thanks firstly to all those who entered, and all those who wore their t shirts to the conference.

After many heated arguments and soul searching we decided that the … Read more »

Podcasts and more coming online

Now we’ve all had a little time to recover after the whirlwind of the conference (one day I hope to be able to just relax and enjoy it) we are putting together the resources that emerged from all the marvellous speaker’s sessions.

The first two of our podcasts, recorded and edited … Read more »

Announcing the McFarlane Prize winners

Last Thursday, at the end of day 1 of the conference, we announced the winners of the inaugural McFarlane Prize for Excellence in Australian Web Design.

We were very honoured to have Nigel McFarlane’s parents at the ceremony, and the Prize was awarded by Nigel’s sister, Colleen.

Congratulations to the web development … Read more »

Web Directions and Web Standards Group presents Jeremy Keith in Melbourne this Thursday

Fresh from sellout shows in Sydney, Ireland’s best export since Guinness, Jeremy Keith will be appearing for one night only, in Melbourne, presented by Web Directions and the Web Standards Group.

Centre for Innovation & Technology Commercialisation
Level 1, 257 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

For more info and to RSVP, see the … Read more »

Andy Clarke — Creating Inspired Design

A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.

Andy Clarke Portrait

Designers are more than mere pixel pushers. The role of the creative designer working on the web has changed and will continue to change faster than ever before. In this session, Andy Clarke will discuss how designers should now play the pivotal part in the creation of engaging user experiences, binding together the roles of information architects, content authors and technical developers. It’s time to put designers in the hot seat. See the slides and hear the podcast »

Laurel Papworth — The business of online communities

A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 29 2006.

Laurel Papworth Portrait

It seems that everyone is talking about user generated content and online communities these days. But how will citizen journalism, user-​​generated content, the Blogosphere, tagging, ranking, and Wiki knowledge reshape branding and your business? How do you manage and scale this community and then hand control to your users (and how do you explain to the boss what you’ve just done?). Gain an understanding that dialogue is the new content and learn how to maximise the benefits (and minimise the pitfalls) of creating online communities in this presentation. See the slides and hear the podcast »

Ben Barren — RSS will change everything

A presentation given at Web Directions South, Sydney Australia, September 28 2006

RSS and syndication offer exciting new ways for organisations to manage information, communicate internally, and to reach out to their customers and stakeholders. Are you ready for this? A lot of product names are springing up in this space, but to make a great decision about what can happen in your organisation you need to understand the technology, its potential and challenges. See the slides and hear the podcast »