ItsDevelopmental - content + technology + people

My favourite quote that sums up the learning process

It's from Confucius . . .

Tell me, and I forget;

Show me and I remember;

Let me do, and I understand.

UK HR and recruitment - tune into next week's TRU London unconference

Posted about this great looking event on the work blog - will be there next Thursday. For those that can't be there . . . there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Video: How to report the news

A manifesto worth reading - especially if you are a publisher

Demand Media runs very large, successful websites such as ehow. It is a web native business and is not constrained by old world legacy issues.

The company manifesto is worth a read. From a publishing perspective, this line is important:

We create content that solves problems, answers questions, saves money, saves time and makes people laugh.

Links: paywalls and linked data

Good day for future of journalism discussions. Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger delivers this:

The Hugh Cudlipp lecture: Does journalism exist?

Jeff Jarvis responds with this: Rusbridger v. walls

But the business context for The Guardian is this: Current losses unsustainable, GNM managing director warns staff

So, paywalls it is for Murdoch: Rupert Murdoch plans charge for all news websites by next summer

But are paywalls for you? Find out by playing: Paywall!, the new web game sweeping the newspaper industry

And then there is the big potential for linked data: 'What is the value of Linked Data to the news industry?'

Enable users to share emails

UPDATE: I forgot to credit HR4change for the link. Many thanks!

Good post on Mashable about something rather simple - adding share buttons for social networks into your emails. Forward to a friend is a common feature but share on Twitter, facebook etc far less so.

Train operating companies: let me reschedule tickets online

Back to one of my pet hates - buying and changing train tickets online. This year I am using the First Great Western website to buy tickets as they do not charge an admin fee for purchase - like the tranline does.

Last night I had to reschedule a ticket bought on the FGW site. I was pointed to a separate customer service number for web purchases (time to join up CRM then?) and made the changes over the phone. I got charged £10 for the the admin for changing the tickets.

But why can't I do this on the site? All the details are held there - my details, the train tickets purchased and the booking engine for purchases.

I can only assume the revenue from making ticket amends is too great for the train operators to want to let users change their tickets for free. In my humble opinion train operating companies are having one big laugh at consumers' expense and it is a disgrace.

Keep an eye on copyright

Thanks to @computerweekly for pointing to this example of copyright infringement from the Independent newspaper.

Video: The 8 principles of fun

What is UX design?

This post might help demystify UX design.