information-architecture

File Structure / Architecture for AJAX Site?

Hi All, I'm building a site using ajax and am trying to decide where to put the files that supply the data for the ajax requests. For example, I am going to have a .js file that can be included in a page that will create country/state select boxes. I will have the .js file under /inc/js. However, I am not sure where I want to put the...

Generating a Visual Site Map of an Existing Site

I thought I could easily answer this question by searching the web, but my Google-fu has failed me. So I turn to you, oh mighty stackoverflowers, and beseech you for enlightenment: What is the quickest and best way to generate a visual site map (e.g. flowchart, mind map, IA diagram) of an existing website? Additional context: my client...

Creating an Information Systems Map

I am in the process of documenting the high level view of the information systems that we have. They aren't all 'silo' applications and components, and I the goal here is to highlight which components rely on which other components. My end goal is to have a 'map' or schema of the components in the company (apps, utility assemblies, data...

Resources for building public information displays using HTML/CSS?

I would like to displays schedules, maps and other informations on displays in a building for visitors. These displays would provide at most mouse input but no keyboard. Ten years ago this was the domain of Macromedia Director but today I believe that browsers and content management systems provide a better architecture. However, I coul...

What is information architecture? (What) has it to do with programming?

I've came accross this concept several times and did not find a clear explanation. What is it? What has it to do with programming? What has it to do with what we (software engineeers / programmers) call architecture? How can it help me? How can I put this to work for me? How is the professional that best understand this subject called? ...

What software exists for creating visual sitemaps?

What software is there for creating visual sitemaps? I know of Visio, but that's not that intuitive to use, and Omnigraffle, but that's mac only. Is there any other software that is specifically for creating sitemaps? ...

SEO and URI Structure

Standard SEO caveat: It's a black box, and the algorithms are proprietary, and trying to predict and game the search engines is a crappy way to make a living. That said, what are the baseline steps you want to take to make sure your content is visible to the major search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) I'm specifically curious as to what ...

Displaying a TON of images with jquery

I am about to embark on a jquery journey I have not ever done. I will be developing a site that has one objective : to display over 300 uncategorized images (artwork). I'm just trying to think about the best way to go about displaying all these images in an easy to navigate, elegant way. I could use thumbnails and lightbox, but that's bo...

Information architecture for document repositories

Hi, I've been tasked with re-designing the architecture of my division's document repositories. We currently have hundreds of documents across multiple SharePoint servers and would like to consolidate them under one repository that will allow users to easily find and update their docs. Can you recommend any resources to help me in t...

HTML Document Naming for site sub-pages in sub-directories

I'm working on a site redesign, and part of the task at hand is the structure of the site. Currently the site uses a CMS called Kintera that gives tragically unusable URLs (the site is http://www.helpcurenow.org). Part of the initial strategy we are approaching is the structure of the redesign. Our plan is to have a subdirectory for eac...

What's the best way to retrieve this data?

The architecture for this scenario is as follows: I have a table of items and several tables of forms. Rather than having the forms own the items, the items own the forms. This is because one item can be on several forms (although only one of each type, but not necessarily on any). The forms and items are all tied together by a common O...

Need Help Planning Architecture for Categorization Connundrum

Hi Folks, I have more of a "what-would-you-do" question than an actual coding question. It relates to a project I am currently working on. In this project, we are tasked with combining several marketplace APIs into one interface. Each API has its own unique way of categorizing products. The top-level parent categories for all the API...