For the fourth of our speaker interviews, we managed to catch up with Derek Featherstone in the midst of his quest to see how many frequent flyer miles it’s possible to accumulate in a single year.
Webstock: In hearing you talk recently at Web Directions 09 and Edge of the Web, it seems you want to move beyond delivering “mere accessibility” and actively work to create more fulfilling experiences for those who access the web in different ways. What are some examples of this? And why it is important?
Derek: Here’s an example – lets say we need to have a user click on something in the interface. We need to ensure that this is keyboard accessible — we can use a link, some type of button, or even a span with an onclick attached to it, and appropriate tabindex values so that it exists within the natural tab order of the page. All of these can provide a technical level of compliance and be keyboard accessible. However, moving beyond this technical compliance and into the realm of user experience, only one of those options might provide the most intuitive control that matches its purpose and expectation of the user. Which one really depends on the scenario, of course, but making that decision is something that we must do. Just because we can create a technically compliant solution doesn’t mean that we’ve created an interface that is efficient and useful for people with a variety of needs.
Webstock: For developers and designers thinking about accessibility, what’s more important – empathy or technical understanding?
Derek: 42.
They are both critically important to two aspects of accessibility. The first is truly understanding what problems we’re faced with, what opportunities there are for creatively providing solutions that meet
everyone’s needs regardless of ability. The second is being able to implement something that solves those problems. Empathy helps us realize what the problems are, and technical understanding helps us
with the implementation. I believe we need both to make sure that we’re solving the right problems, effectively.
Webstock: What can participants look forward to in your workshop at Webstock?
Derek: My goal is to make even the seasoned developer or designer look at accessibility issues with a new twist and consider things that they hadn’t before. They will also walk away with new techniques and strategies that will help them when striving to build accessible and usable web apps.
Webstock: February will be your first time in New Zealand. Anything in particular you’d like to do while you’re here?
Derek: I’ve got a long list of things to see and do while there, but I think tops on my list is to go to a Super 14 match. I played rugby union at home in Canada for close to 20 years, and I’d love to see a match while I’m there.
Webstock: Which speaker are you most excited about seeing at Webstock 09?
Derek: It is a toss up between Annalee Newitz and Toby Segaran. And Derek Powazek. I haven’t heard any of them speak before, and they specialize in areas in which I’m not embedded. As much as possible, I hope to broaden my own horizons when I’m speaking at a conference by getting to sessions that discuss areas I wouldn’t normally investigate on my own.
Webstock: Thanks Derek! The rugby scheduling gods are smiling as the Hurricanes are playing in Wellington around Webstock time. You too can experience the unique blend of excitement, disappointment and heatbreak that comes with supporting the Hurricanes!
Cameron Adams – aka the Main in Blue – is the third of our speakers to be interviewed. He’s one of those renaissance people that the web seems to throw up, equally at home coding, designing and writing. And he vies with Russ Weakley for the least amount of sleep needed!
Webstock: How has the perception of javascript changed over the time you’ve been working in the web? Is it more accepted as a “real” language, rather than something for dilettantes?
Cameron: The perception of JavaScript has changed immensely in the past ten years. From its humble beginnings as something that you use for doing rollovers and cheesy animations, JavaScript has now become the future of computer applications.
People have realised that the advantages of the Internet — its interconnectedness, its mobility, its universality — trump the desktop. And JavaScript is really the only viable language to use inside a browser. Which isn’t such a bad thing, because people are also starting to realise that the actual JavaScript language is pretty neat — something that’s nice to tackle real problems in, not just animations.
I think these two things together are pushing forward the progress of JavaScript faster than any other language. Browsers are getting increasingly sophisticated with the engines they use for executing JavaScript (giving users and programmers more power), and the tools for programming have become highly developed. Libraries have come a long, long way since DHTML Lab’s flyout menus, and some people are even using JavaScript on the server-side!
Webstock: In 5 years time, do you think we’ll still be having “web conferences”? If so, what will we be talking about?
Cameron: I think we’ll definitely be having web conferences, but hopefully we won’t still be talking about CSS. Well … maybe CSS3, but I doubt it’ll be out by then.
From a technological perspective, I can see a fairly linear progression in our learning and discussion — HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript 2, WCAG2, Ajax accessibility. Those standards move prettttttttty slowly, so in five years I can see a lot more hands-on-this-is-how-it-works-in-browsers talks. Rather than the current gee-this-is-how-I-wish-they-would-work talks.
But what I find more exciting is what people will do with those technologies in the next five years, and that’s a lot harder to predict. Internet for your toilet? Democracy via Twitter? How Facebook collapsed? The most interesting things are the ones you don’t see coming, so my guess is as good as a dog’s.
Webstock: What can people look forward to in your javascript workshop?
Cameron: I’ve tried to make my workshops as fun and interesting as possible, so I’ve re-created exercises which I personally have found challenging and interesting during my exploration of JavaScript.
These exercises serve as a backdrop for learning about JavaScript best practices, the newest technologies (like Canvas and WAI-ARIA), and basically getting your feet wet in JavaScript development.
I like to use a lot of practical exercises so that attendees get to try out what they learn while I’m there, rather than when they get back to work and then have no idea what they’re doing. I find that people learn a lot more when they’re directly involved with coding. I’m there mainly to answer their questions and help them over their individual hurdles.
Webstock: Which speaker are you most excited about seeing at Webstock 09?
Cameron: That’s probably your hardest question; it’s like a smorgasboard of delectable Web speakers. I’d probably have to say that my favourite speaker would be some weird hybrid of Ze Frank and Jane McGonigal. That way you get laughs *and* learn about the latest in games design. (Which has always been way ahead of the general design curve, in my opinion).
Webstock: Thanks Cameron! We’re looking forward to having you here in February.
The second of our speaker interviews is with Jasmina Tesanovic. Jasmina is a writer, an activist, a feminist and much more.
Webstock: In general, are you an optimistic or a pessimistic person? Are those terms meaningful to you?
Jasmina: I’m a person who turns her back towards the future facing the storms from the past, thrust by storms into the future: Walter Benjamin’s angel of history. Optimism and pessimism are impressionistic human categories to deal with storms of history.
Webstock: In the history of human inventions, how important is the web?
Jasmina: Too recent and big yet to evaluate completely: let’s say revolutionary. Let’s hope it lasts, yet nothing will be the same if it disappears, we will plunge into a medieval state of communication and arts.
Webstock: What can attendees at Webstock look forward to in your presentation?
Jasmina: Some Balkan weirdness and originality: the way my personal history was shaped through war, war crimes and internet was an early experience of a trend that became mainstream.
Webstock: Thanks Jasmina. We’re looking forward to the Balkan weirdness!
In the second of our sponsor interviews, we talked with Wayne Forgesson from Intergen.
Webstock: Wayne, how would you describe Intergen? What sort of company are you, what sets Intergen apart?
Intergen: Intergen is New Zealand’s largest and most dedicated provider of web and software development services, based entirely on Microsoft technologies.
In terms of what sets us apart, there are a number of things I could mention here. For anyone who has come into contact with Intergen, chances are they come away with two very distinct impressions: first, our people are extremely passionate about what they do; second, we’ve got a really strong (and very yellow) brand and culture, which our people are really proud of and work hard to preserve. The yellow padded meeting room doors in our Wellington office are an example of passion, brand and desire for all things fun.
We started out as a small operation in Wellington, and now employ more than 200 staff across offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney and Perth. From the early days we have always had a focus on our people, and this has remained true and I think this has really helped shape Intergen’s unique culture. We’re lucky to employ some of the best and brightest in the game, we have a number of technology evangelists and experts who are leading the way not just within New Zealand, but globally as well. In the words of a recent Intergen inductee: “Intergen is made up of intelligent extroverts who are the best at what they do. I love the fact that every way I turn I see talented people excelling at what they do and absolutely loving it.
Webstock: Intergen is closely aligned with Microsoft and a Microsoft partner. What benefits has that brought to Intergen?
Intergen: Being a Gold Certified Microsoft Partner is absolutely central to everything we do. The benefits go both ways, and the strong partnership we have with Microsoft gives our customers the certainty that they’re dealing with proven, universally recognisable technologies and engaging the most experienced New Zealand company to understand their individual business needs and implement the best possible solution.
On our staff we have one Microsoft Regional Director, four Microsoft MVPs (most valuable professionals), plus a number of other subject matter experts as well. What this illustrates in a nutshell (for the non Microsoft) is that we have staff on board who not only bring the best of breed solutions to our customers, but who are also extremely active within the New Zealand technology community (as well as globally), and who also act in an advisory capacity to Microsoft in helping them shape their future directions. We were really pleased to be named Microsoft Partner of the Year 2008, in recognition of our commitment to Microsoft since we started out as Glazier Systems back in 1995.
Webstock: How would you describe the web and software scene in New Zealand? Is it competitive? Collegial? Is there a sense of being part of a larger NZ Inc, competing against the world?
Intergen: It seems to me the web scene in New Zealand is extremely collegial. It’s an area of tremendous, almost unprecedented growth – a really exciting place to be. The internet – and the way in which we engage with it – changes every day, and we learn the most by sharing knowledge and networks. New Zealand has some terrific examples of web successes, and these successes have been shared, to great effect. I’m always proud to be a Kiwi and especially proud when our friends/partners and competitors are making a difference in the international scene. One thing we focus on is trying to share our learnings, and thoughts from our experts, by offering seminars of relevance to technologists and web enthusiasts alike. A recent example of this is the free Online Communities seminar we offered, with a visiting specialist from Sweden giving real examples of how organisations in the Northern Hemisphere have successfully built online communities.
As for the global question, and whether we’re competing against the world… Intergen is in an interesting position, and I’m sure there are numerous companies in the same boat. As we share a very strong relationship with Microsoft, we are often engaged to work with Microsoft Corporation on upcoming projects and new technologies; and these engagements can see us working and presenting all around the world. In an online world where New Zealand is no longer considered quite so ‘remote’ as it used to be, working ahead of the clock can have distinct advantages, and I don’t think there’s so much of the ‘us against them’ mentality. We may be a small nation, but in all senses of the word we’ve proved ourselves to be world class.
Webstock: If there was one project that you felt best encapsulated Intergen – your ethos, your philosophy, your strengths – what is it? Tell us a little about it.
Intergen: This is actually much harder than it looks and there isn’t one project that does this, there are many. In fact we want all our projects to do this. Our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) is about positively touching everyone with what we do; “Everyone, every day, is touched positively by the things we do” and this is truly an intent in what we do. Key aspects for us are; making a difference, having fun, solving technical problems, having fun, working with new stuff and having fun.
Significant projects that help us achieve our BHAG have included:
Tertiary Education Commission – a range of projects that have improved the processes within TEC and their ability to achieve their business goals
Department of Internal Affairs – rates rebate project for local authorities to accept and process rates rebates claims from low income families
Westland Diary – Financials, reporting and process improvement projects for Westland Diary
Webstock: Intergen has been a sponsor of every Webstock. Why? What have been the benefits for Intergen?
Intergen: It goes back to the collegiality thing we touched upon earlier. For us it’s an honour to be involved with Webstock. Every year the bar is lifted even higher, and it’s one of those rare conferences where you really do feel that a ‘meeting of the minds’ is happening, where web practitioners of all descriptions are challenged to be even better, and to never stop learning. You can feel the synergies and the enthusiasm, and the calibre of speaker is always top notch. To be associated with such a group is great for Intergen. We’ve got a dedicated team of interactive designers and developers who really get a buzz from attending. Plus we’re committed to delivering the best in usability web standards to our customers, so being involved in each event is a no-brainer for us. Plus it gives us the opportunity to think outside the square and come up with new ways of being outlandishly yellow each year!
Webstock: Thanks Wayne. We’re really pleased to be working with Intergen again!
The first of our speaker interviews is with Russ Weakley. Russ is a designer, one of the world’s leading experts on HMTL and CSS, and co-founder of the Web Standards group and mailing list. He’s been an influential figures in the development and spread of web standards globally.
Webstock: Russ, you’ve been quoted as saying that “sleep is for pussies”. Tell us about a typical working day for you – what you do, what hours you work, how much sleep you get.
Russ: I work as a web designer for the Australian Museum three days each week and run my own business outside these hours. I also try to help with the kids in the mornings and evenings, so this means I often work late into the night.
A typical day… It’s a little hard…
7:00am: wake up with a start! 7:00am – 9:00am: prepare breakfasts and lunches, feed and dress kids (amid copious threats of punishment and torture) then drop at school. 9:00am – 9:45am: drive to Museum, cursing traffic 9:45am – 5:30pm: work at museum with web team (which includes a Web Manager, Special project co-ordinator, web researcher, an assistant web person and me). If only I could tell you of some of the insane conversations that go on in our team! 5:30pm – 6:00pm: drive home cursing traffic 6:00pm – 9:00pm: force dinner into kids, check computer too often, get kids ready for bed, hype them up (as only a father can), read them books, then try to settle them down. 9:00pm – 3:00am: Max Design work – yahhh!
Rinse and repeat…
So, I often get around 4 hours sleep a night. A little sad now that I look at it. I think I need a hobby… Does Satan worshipping count as a hobby?
Webstock: You do a lot of teaching and training with HTML and CSS. Have things improved? Do web people in general have a better understanding of how to use HTML and CSS than they might of a few years ago?
Russ: This is a hard one as I think people often have good knowledge in patches – for X/HTML and CSS. Not many people have knowledge across the breadth of these topics.
When I run workshops I try to start with the basics as people often have little pockets of info here and there that they were not aware of.
The hardest group are the developers who think that X/HTML is easy. These people are often males with the least knowledge about HTML – often not aware of basic info like doctypes, elements, attributes etc.
Overall, I have noticed people are more aware of the fundamentals – especially in accessibility – which is very good news.
Webstock: What’s the future for HTML? Will it always be with us? Be supplanted by something else? And what’s your impression of the progress towards HTML5?
Russ: HTML was written in the early 1820’s. In those days there weren’t even cars, let alone multi-column layouts. Consequently, we have a VERY limited range of elements to use. We try all sorts of ways to squeeze as much semantics out of these elements as possible. Many of us have developed Repetitive Strain Injuries from all the squeezing.
So, we need more elements so that we can describe our content more clearly.
HTML5 is a great start in this direction. The team is working very carefully towards a brighter, squeeze-free future. I think by the year 3016 we will be ready to roll!
Webstock: What are you looking forward to in CSS3?
Russ: Chaos! Overwhelmed designers and developers… tears…
CSS3 is much more complex than CSS2. Some people have trouble with CSS2 – especially with browsers and implementation. So, there are going to be people who feel totally overwhelmed when CSS3 hits mainstream.
There are others who cannot wait for some of the cooler features – borders, backgrounds, many of these things will make our lives much easier, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
I sit in both camps… Sometimes crying, other times hanging out for cool new CSS3 features to play with.
Webstock: Which speaker are you most excited about seeing at Webstock 09?
Russ: That is a little hard as they are all look good. Maybe these three:
