Collex

Collex Redesign Preview

December 8th, 2008

As the NINES R&D team scrambles to complete as many last-minute bug-fixes and refinements as possible before our December 18th launch date, I thought it would be a good time for a preview of what’s to come. For those of you who are regular users of the NINES Collex interface, things are going to change a good deal over the next month.

On the new homepage, we’ve made the search blank more prominent so that Collex is easier to access. Tabs make navigation a cinch: with one click you can jump to the advanced search page, browse the NINES tag cloud, or read exhibits shared by your peers.

You’ll also notice a new tab: the My 9s page.

If you’ve set up a free account you’ll have full access to this page, which serves as your personal workspace within NINES. Your saved searches will be listed here, as well as your recently collected objects and a tag cloud showing your tags only. Currently, the profile will be visible only to you, but if you provide a link to your web page or CV, we’ll make sure that it’s listed with your shared exhibits.

The My 9s page is also the gateway to the Collex Exhibit Builder, which has been refined and re-designed based on your feedback.

In editing mode, you have the option of three section templates to arrange your text and illustrations. An outline pop-up helps you stay organized, even when your exhibit spans several pages, and the new resource palette makes linking to material outside of NINES much easier. I recommend that anyone interested in making an exhibit browse those available with the new release to get a sense of the range of the software.

It’s a busy and exciting time for us, and we welcome your comments!

Entry Filed under: development