About Kynn's New Job at Edapta

Hi everyone!  As some of you may know, I am no longer employed
part-time by the HTML Writers Guild, because I have accepted a
position with a new Internet startup, Edapta.  Edapta is a San
Diego-based company that is creating adaptable user interfaces
for web pages -- meaning that each user who comes to a site
gets a version of the site specifically tailored for her
abilities and preferences.

I see this as a continuation of my work on accessible web
design, usability, and technologies such as CC/PP; basically,
this allows a user with a disability to receive a site that
is not only -minimally accessible- to her, but one that is
dynamically -optimized- to provide her with a view of the
content that works best for her needs.

As with other assistive technologies for people with disabilities,
this too has implications for users without disabilities -- such
as providing optimized views for PDAs, phone browsers, and so
on.  These specialized user agents can benefit from adaptable
user interfaces as well.  Edapta's technology is a form of
personalization -- but rather than personalizing the content
of the site, we personalize the interface to that content.

My title at Edapta is "Director of Accessibility" -- basically,
when it comes to web accessibility concerns at Edapta, I'm
That Guy.  My role encompasses a wide variety of projects at
Edapta -- working on user scenarios, testing the accessibility
of solutions we provide to clients, and more.

The Edapta web site is still under construction -- it's a very
new company, moving quickly and dealing with a lot of different
people -- so don't bother looking at http://www.edapta.com/
yet.  However, I'm very excited about what we are doing and
what we -will- be doing -- which is building a World Wide Web
without barriers, that can be used by everyone!

A short FAQ list:

Q.  You said it's in San Diego.  Are you moving to San Diego?
A.  No, although I might rent a room during the week.  I can 
     do some telecommuting, and from where I live, it's "only" a
     1 hour 15 minute drive.

Q.  What about Idyll Mountain Internet?  Is IMI closing up?
A.  No, Liz has run IMI for the last two years or so, while I've
     been devoting most of my time to the HTML Writers Guild, so
     me being out of the production loop isn't a strange thing.
     Basically, as "Chief Technologist" I'm a silent partner and
     an unpaid consultant.  You can always reach me at
     kynn@idyllmtn.com, by the way.

Q.  Hey, speaking of HTML Writers Guild, what about that?
A.  I remain a member of the HWG board, and am volunteering as
     the Director of the Guild's AWARE Center, a resource center
     on web accessibility for web designers which I founded last
     year.  I have stepped down as the Guild's rep to W3C WAI
     working groups, though, because of conflict of interest
     concerns.  (Basically, the Guild shouldn't pay for Edapta's
     R&D work!)

Q.  What exactly does Edapta do?
A.  That's classified.  If I told you, I'd have to kill you.  No,
     just kidding.  Edapta does systems integration to work with
     a web site's existing content intrastructure and development
     process to leverage accessibility technology point solutions.
     Basically, we assemble what a site needs in order to be made
     accessible (and optimized) for as large an audience as
     possible.

So, that's what I'm doing!  It's quite exciting.  If you have any
questions, drop me a private note.

--Kynn



-- 
Kynn Bartlett  <kynn@idyllmtn.com>                   http://www.kynn.com/
Director of Accessibility, edapta                  http://www.edapta.com/
Chief Technologist, Idyll Mountain Internet      http://www.idyllmtn.com/
AWARE Center Director                         http://www.awarecenter.org/

Received on Monday, 3 April 2000 21:15:34 UTC