Here are some themes for me, from broadest to weakest in terms
of potential impact. I was dragging them out to think about
opportunities. Sort of brainstorming with myself, though I haven't found
anything particularly inspiring here just
yet.
IV. System
Usability
Consider computer
systems and software that allow users to operate at whatever level their
understanding and mastery permits, with the system supporting their exploratory
practice and mastery. Being able to discover everything there is about the
configuration, the hardware, and the software and how it works together so that
troubleshooting is possible and configuration adjustments can be done in a
reliable, confident way.
III. System
Coherence
When a system is
operating in a coherent way, the interactions that an user performs all support
a consistent model of operation in the mind of the user. Errors and
problems are expressed at the same level, so that users never need to be
concerned about the seams of the system and how the underlying implementations
work.
II. Electronic Document Permanence
and Preservation
Electronic
documents are carried in public formats and submitted to and extracted from
document-management systems with preservation of the public format and of
information (metadata) about the documents. There are standards and tools
for ensuring the reliable use of standard formats and the successful
configuration of document-processing and -management products that operate on
such formats. Users always have ways to operate with their document and
exchange them with others, regardless of the commercial tools that are used in
the present and in the future. Vendors build markets by ensuring
interoperability and adherence to the standard formats, adding value in other
dimensions of use, customization, and suitability for particular
applications. Industry and government groups foster standard substrates
and formats to fulfill on their accountability for long-range usability and
access of materials.
I think this
is the level where DMware can make a
difference.
I. Closing the Gap
between Technology and Practice
What I have said already about the use and application of WebDAV as a way to
motivate and demonstrate document management practices having low cost of entry
and an appealing learning curve.