TERRY VAUGHN : WRITINGS

Metadata and the World Wide Web

This paper introduces the concept of metadata and explains how metadata are used to control and preserve information resources on the Web. It surveys past developments, beginning with the MARC standard, before moving on to current applications such as RDF and Dublin Core, and finally explores the future potential of metadata applications within the context of the Semantic Web.

Cultivating an Engaged Workforce

Imagine working for a company where half of the employees are doing just enough work to get by; another quarter of the employees are completely disenchanted with their job. That leaves about one quarter of the workforce with employees that are enthusiastic and committed to their jobs, adding value and driving revenue in the organization. Sadly, these circumstances mirror those within the typical company in the United States today.

Book Review: On Leadership by John Gardner

It is widely acknowledged that humans use only a small portion of their abilities; according to John W. Gardner, those include talents for leadership. In his final opus, On Leadership, Gardner insists that most of the skills that enable a person to be an effective leader can be learned. In clear and concise prose, Gardner draws from his vast experience in government, corporate, and non-profit organizations to reflect upon the nature of leadership within the context of contemporary America. Accordingly, On Leadership speaks to a wide audience and applies to leadership in any human endeavor.

Offshoring: Beyond Job Loss, Toward Innovation

Offshore outsourcing – offshoring – has become the topic of heated public discussion as high-paying information technology jobs are awarded to foreign firms. This paper describes the economic conditions that have precipitated the IT outsourcing movement and its short-term and long-term economic repercussions.

Romancing "Political Equality" How Campaign Finance Reform Poses a Threat to Online Speech

On March 27, 2006 a collective sigh of relief could be heard 'round the blogosphere after the Federal Election Commission voted to approve its final regulations concerning political activity on the Internet. What was at stake? The exercise of our First Amendment right of free speech in its most crucial context: participation in the democratic process.

Ethics, Emerging Technology and Public Policy

Controversy over the ethical implementation of emerging technology – particularly that which can have profound impact on the human condition – is unavoidable. This essay briefly explores a few of the ethical concerns that arise when political control is exerted over free scientific inquiry and its applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Search Interface Design Techniques

Studies have revealed that users are ineffective at formulating queries and are likely to quit after one or two unsuccessful searches. Search interface designers should place more emphasis on designs that help users formulate queries and engage users in an iterative query reformulation process. This paper reveals new search interface designs that improve user query formulation, present search results that increase user confidence, invite interaction, and enhance query reformulation.