If content is king on the Web, information is no longer presented, it is designed. But what exactly is information design? How does it relate to document design, instructional design, and graphic design? What does it really refer to: visual design? structure of the content? navigation? Something else?

This session addresses these issues. It first defines information design and contrasts it with other types of design. Then, it introduces the three classes of issues that information designers address. Then, it explores the implications of this broadly focused model to technical communicators, instructional designers, and other content specialists.

Based on the concepts underlying the presenter's 2000 article on a three-part model of information design in Technical Communication, which won the Best of Show in the Frank R. Smith competition.

XML and CMS technologies promise a brave new world of content management: massive volumes of vital information can now be stored and made accessible to anyone anywhere. And pieces of that information can be re-used in different contexts in different media for different audiences and different purposes. Or can they?

The technologies are certainly up to speed. But what about the actual content itself? How do you structure content to make it usable by these technologies? How do you stop writing narrative prose that cannot be effectively tagged and managed by CMS and start structuring content into re-usable, taggable, XML objects?

Information Mapping® is a methodology used around the world by hundred of thousands that does just that: structures content for usability. This workshop will take participants through the process for structuring content using Information Mapping.

An introduction to DITA, the new standard for content authoring and management. The introduction will cover DITA's history and architectural principles, and then provide a live demonstration of how DITA can be used for information architecture and content development.

This is your chance to learn about DITA from one of it's principal architects.

Content management systems, content strategies, and content standards are dramatically changing the way we work. Cheaper labor pools are aiming to commoditize technical writing and are successfully growing demand for their offshore writing services. To remain marketable, technical communicators need to develop skills that are in demand and that will support their continued career growth.

Join content management strategist and technical communication consultant Scott Abel for this informative session designed to explore how emerging tools, technologies, and standards are impacting the way we create, manage, and deliver content. Find out how emerging technologies are changing the future of our field and discover which skills are increasingly in demand. Learn how XML, DITA, RSS, blogs, wikis, structured content, and social networking are impacting our profession and society at large. Find out which new technologies are hot, and who is using them for what purposes.

Reuse is a critical component of a content management-based single sourcing strategy. Reuse can be implemented in multiple ways, each with their strengths and weaknesses. There are a number of different decisions that affect reuse, like managing source and derivatives, dealing with granularity, and many more. This session provides participants with an understanding of the aspects of reuse that need to be considered and provides tips and guidelines on avoiding problems.

The Content Management Professionals hosted workshop will provide participants with the best practices for content management. A variety of speakers will cover such topics as building a business case, DITA-based content management tools, getting started with content management and more.