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One of the books I used to dream of writing was "a pattern language for the web." Well, now I don't have to: The Design of Sites: Patterns, Principles, and Processes for Crafting a Customer-Centered Web Experience is that book.
As I first sat down to read it, I didn't care for it. But sitting down and reading it not the right use for it-- instead leave it on your desk and as you approach any standard web element, from log-in box to global navigation bar, crack it open. The authors have done a masterful job of listing the key problems each element addresses, and shows examples from several "best practices" websites. It's like having a competive analysis on your desk for almost everything. Esoteric issues, like my current interest (entire-web search) are not addressed, but pretty much all the common ones are, and insightfully. An excellent tool for any IA, Interface or Interaction Designer.
There's actually a book called A Pattern Language for Web Usability coming out in January. Same publisher. Have asked our A-W rep to get me a copy when it comes out. Will post a review when I get it.
Speaking of which...if I want an educator's review copy of your book, would you prefer I go through our publisher's rep, or through you directly? Either one works for me.
Liz
See the book's site at www.designofsites.com. There's a sample chapter to download there.
Ah, should have clarified. A-W is already sending Design of Sites...I was wondering about Christina's book, which she mentions on her site is available to educators for review. Sometimes it's better for the author if I contact the publisher directly (I have a rep who can get me New Riders books), sometimes they prefer to send them out themselves. So I figured I'd check.
Liz
Actually I was throwing the idea around I think to Jeff Lash a couple weeks ago about a handy tool to tote around that would contain various IA solutions to problems. You basically have this wheel and you spin the top layer of your wheel to align to an IA question, a corresponding window would give you a solution. I first hatched this idea when my colleague Holly Mercer was telling me of the arhivist Emergency and Response Wheel I think we should do it. If there's enough patterns, I couldn't imagine another way to promote some of the basics/foundations of our work!
Would anyone be interested in working with me on a pattern language for interactive apps? It was mentioned here a few months ago, and the hits on its website have been steadily high ever since I put it out, so there's apparently some interest in such a thing. Read it here. It doesn't cover quite the same things that "The Design of Sites" does. I think it could be a lot better with the addition of other minds...
A large section covering IA patterns would be extraordinarily useful. I'm hoping to find someone to work with me on a section on "micro-workflow" patterns, too.
