Online Communities and Social Computing

The 13th International Conference on Human–Computer Interaction, HCI Inter- tional 2009, was held in San Diego, California, USA, July 19–24, 2009, jointly with the Symposium on Human Interface (Japan) 2009, the 8th International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, the 5th International Conference on Universal Access in Human–Computer Interaction, the Third International Conf- ence on Virtual and Mixed Reality, the Third International Conference on Internati- alization, Design and Global Development, the Third International Conference on Online Communities and Social Computing, the 5th International Conference on Augmented Cognition, the Second International Conference on Digital Human Mod- ing, and the First International Conference on Human Centered Design. A total of 4,348 individuals from academia, research institutes, industry and gove- mental agencies from 73 countries submitted contributions, and 1,397 papers that were judged to be of high scientific quality were included in the program. These papers - dress the latest research and development efforts and highlight the human aspects of the design and use of computing systems. The papers accepted for presentation thoroughly cover the entire field of human–computer interaction, addressing major advances in knowledge and effective use of computers in a variety of application areas.

Alan Fairnington has lived and worked on four continents working at a senior level with many of the world's largest companies in a broad range of categories. He has been a close observer of consumer trends and attitudes during his time as a director of one of the world's largest advertising agencies and as a management consultant.
Alan has built businesses from the ground up and helped others transform their operations to meet changing economic, cultural and technological change. As a keen sailor, Alan has learned the value of anticipating different sea and weather conditions, then making the right tactical decisions. He sees the business world in the same light.