Sessions about Publishing

In redesigning our University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension publications Web site, we asked our web designers and programmers for the moon as well as assistance in meeting a short deadline. And how did they respond? With creative solutions, grace under fire and a team effort that enabled the Publications Section to meet our key goals. Learn more about how we responded to an administrative mandate for a new system and the lessons we learned. Most publications are available in several formats: web-friendly, printer-friendly, and printer-friendly no header versions (the latter is for on-demand printing on Extension letterhead). To achieve this (and a little more) editors, programmers and designers worked together to develop a system which would provide 1) enhanced metatagging of the content, 2) a content archive that captured all related text and graphic files as well as documenting revision changes; 3) a Web publication system that allowed for the Web site to meet University requirements for branding while offering some new reader services; and 4) systematic content review.

Considering or using CMS on your website? Are you using CMS to its potential, or maybe you aren’t sure of its possibilities? Three panelists will explain how technologies can meet organizational goals, gain synergy for data-driven systems, evaluate electronically distributed media, and merge work flows by bringing together media/technology/content experts without major financial investments. Designed for web developers, writers, editors, publishers, designers, administrators, technologists, multimedia producers, photographers, and anyone interested in delivery of education/information. This session builds on requests from audience evaluations from the “Future of Publishing” and “Convergence of the Media” discussions in San Antonio and Quebec City.

Digital cameras make it easier than ever to snap pictures, but that's no guarantee they'll be useable. This session helps non-photographers get familiar with digital camera capabilities, offers easy-to-remember photo composition tips, shows ways to rescue photos through editing software and takes some of the mystery out of pixels and dots per inch for print or online use. Lots of examples will help illustrate the do's and don'ts of photo-taking. Presented by a non-photographer who often needs to churn out a decent picture, this session has been requested numerous times in the presenter’s home state and is always well attended. Bring your digital camera for some hands-on practice.

In 2006 we found a new, more useful way to present a set of pruning photographs that were shot in the 1970s. We'll talk about the original shoot, show how the photos were presented in earlier publications, and demonstrate what we did to give the images new life. We're hoping this will inspire you to look at some of your own older publications and graphics in a new light.

Everyone has a horror story to tell about copyright infringement or plagiarism. It's clear that Extension agents and subject specialists are confused about when and how they should properly attribute information to its sources, and when they need permission to reuse certain materials. Several issues contribute to this confusion: The prevalence of electronic communications and the ease with which material can be forwarded, copied, pasted, and discovered; a heightened awareness of plagiarism in the public sphere and its consequences; and crackdowns on copyright infringement by individuals and companies as well as the federal government. So how, as communications specialists, can we help our clients navigate this bewildering information landscape? We intend to examine the subject from this perspective, with examples and answers to real questions. And be prepared to share your own horror stories and any happy endings during the discussion.

See for yourself how customized online systems can vastly simplify, speed up and improve the submission and peer-review of publications. Janet Byron, managing editor of the University of California's California Agriculture journal, will demonstrate how editorial staff, authors, associate editors, and reviewers use the Berkeley Electronic Press EdiKit system to submit and vet manuscripts, request reviews, send decision letters, and maintain an editorial record. We will also look at ScholarOne's Manuscript Central peer-review system, and open-source journal software. Such systems can be customized for books, extension publications, and other peer-reviewed content. Are you currently using an online system for peer review? During the Q&A, please share information on the system that you're using. Please upload peer-review information to share with your colleagues at: http://acepeerreviewinfo.wikispaces.com/space.menu

Land-grant university publications have long been "open-access journals," making research available to the public and professionals who needed it. How can we now augment the Web presence of land-grant university research through a better understanding of online scientific databases? How do we approach the problem of getting the AES research publications indexed on the appropriate scientific databases? We have been pursuing such indexing for California Agriculture and will share our experiences. This is important not only to our user groups and clienteles, but to our faculty researchers.

Peer-review gives Extension publications the experts’ seal of approval, letting your audience know that the information they’re reading is technically sound, reliable, and current. But a peer-review “seal” will only be respected if the system that you use to review content is solid and transparent. Slow or inefficient peer review can also discourage researchers from submitting manuscripts for review. A panel of experienced editors will discuss the ins and outs (and ups and downs) of managing peer review, including working with associate editors and authors, creating and distributing forms, and handling deadlines. Presenters will give short presentations about their own peer-review systems, followed by a facilitated discussion and plenty of time for Q&A. Sample documents will be provided. Please upload peer-review information to share with your colleagues at: http://acepeerreviewinfo.wikispaces.com/space.menu

Our agriculture clients are becoming fewer and farther between, while their needs and desires for accurate and timely information have increased. As knowledge providers, our tighter budgets often dictate greater use of electronic communication and distance learning methods. PorkBridge was created to better utilize our capabilities and resources, while allowing flexibility and ease of active participation. Learn how faculty and staff from five states are working together to refine this "participate where you are with whomever you want, at the time that works better for you" six-part, year-long program. Each session speaker develops a PowerPoint-based presentation, which is edited, packaged for CD, and sent to participants. Registrants join the session via conference phone call (toll-free number) and follow the speaker's presentation on their own computer. PorkBridge logistics are coordinated at Iowa State University, its coordinator-moderator is from University of Minnesota, and expert presenters this year hail from five states. Current participants are from 10 states and one Canadian province, with backgrounds ranging from individual producer to veterinarian to feed company.

Editors from three land-grant university magazines (LSU, California, Purdue) share what they’ve learned about redesigning a long-time print magazine into an e-magazine. It’s a whole new project that requires more staff, teamwork and learning new skills. But the results greatly expand readership.

Treasures in your attic? Hidden treasures are often found in the most unlikely places—and they can sometimes lead to amazing results. In 2006, Alabama Extension communicators parlayed the rediscovery of a historically significant set of New Deal era murals and the celebration of Auburn University’s sesquicentennial into a unique project that both created a touch point to our past and highlighted our present mission. We pulled the 10-painting set of murals from their dusty confines, conducted investigative research into their past, and planned events and created products to showcase and promote them. In doing so, we learned much about our organization; the life and times of the artist, John Augustus Walker of Mobile; and the significance of a fascinating project in our country’s history—the WPA Artist Project, which provided employment to artists and beauty that graced institutions and public places. Our project’s many components—news articles, lectures, posters, note cards, and exhibits—drew significant attention not only to the artwork but to Extension itself. Look around and see what hidden treasures could draw attention to your organization in fresh, unexpected ways.

Growing up in the United States means growing up in a world shaped by an invisible force often called "white privilege." For example, if you are white, you can walk into any drugstore in the country and expect to find hair care products you can use. If you are a white male, you can discuss potential presidential candidates without hearing people wonder whether the country is "ready" for a white man to be president. Learn what "white privilege" is and how it can affect the messages we send to "diverse" audiences.

ACE is changing and so is the Journal of Applied Communications. Results of a recent readership survey will be presented and a facilitated discussion of how to improve the journal will follow.