Acceptance of Internet-based learning medium: the role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation

data types Sorting and searching parallel and distributed algorithms 3. [AR] Computer Architecture

/pdf/guide-to-the-software-engineering-body-of-knowledge-4x9ajlpq2m.pdf

Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge

This paper is an introduction to natural language interfaces to databases (NLIDBs). A brief overview of the history of NLIDBs is first given. Some advantages and disadvantages of NLIDBs are then discussed, comparing NLIDBs to formal query languages, form-based interfaces, and graphical interfaces. An introduction to some of the linguistic problems NLIDBs have to confront follows, for the benefit of readers less familiar with computational linguistics. The discussion then moves on to NLIDB architectures, portability issues, restricted natural language input systems (including menu-based NLIDBs), and NLIDBs with reasoning capabilities. Some less explored areas of NLIDB research are then presented, namely database updates, meta-knowledge questions, temporal questions, and multi-modal NLIDBs. The paper ends with reflections on the current state of the art.

Natural Language Interfaces to Databases - An Introduction

This paper is an introduction to natural language interfaces to databases (NLIDBS). A brief overview of the history of NLIDBS is first given. Some advantages and disadvantages of NLIDBS are then discussed, comparing NLIDBS to formal query languages, form-based interfaces, and graphical interfaces. An introduction to some of the linguistic problems NLIDBS have to confront follows, for the benefit of readers less familiar with computational linguistics. The discussion then moves on to NLIDB architectures, portability issues, restricted natural language input systems (including menu-based NLIDBS), and NLIDBS with reasoning capabilities. Some less explored areas of NLIDB research are then presented, namely database updates, meta-knowledge questions, temporal questions, and multi-modal NLIDBS. The paper ends with reflections on the current state of the art.

Natural language interfaces to databases-An introduction

This study identifies the critical success factors that influence the acceptance of e-learning systems in developing countries. E-learning is a popular mode of delivering educational materials in higher education by universities throughout the world. This study identifies multiple factors that influence the success of e-learning systems from the literature and compares the relative importance among two stakeholder groups in developing countries, ICT experts and faculty. This study collected 76 usable responses using the Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The results reveal 6 dimensions and 20 critical success factors for e-learning systems in developing countries. Findings illustrate the importance of curriculum design for learning performance. Technology awareness, motivation, and changing learners' behavior are prerequisites for successful e-learning implementations. Several recommendations are provided to aid the implementation of e-learning systems for developing countries which have relevance for researchers and practitioners. Limitations as well as possible research directions are also discussed.

Critical success factors for e-learning in developing countries: A comparative analysis between ICT experts and faculty

This investigation provides an empirical scaling of software engineering practices derived from the software process maturity model developed by the Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University Humphrey et al. [Humphrey, W. S., D. H. Kitson, T. C. Kasse. 1989. The state of software engineering practice: A preliminary report. Technical Report CMU/SEI-89-TR-1 ESD-TR-89-01, Carnegie-Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.]. An analysis of data collected in an extended software maintenance study has shown that the responses to Humphrey's key software practice items fit the Rasch psychometric model providing an alternative framework in which to understand the software development practices. The Rasch model analysis describes the likelihood of a practice deployment for any level of evolution and provides precise and meaningful measures.

Measuring Software Engineering Evolution: A Rasch Calibration

Key issues in information systems management: a Delphi study in Slovenia

The Delphi technique was used to compile a list of major problems in software maintenance, quantify them, and strengthen the consensus in iterations. Forty-four experienced software maintenance professionals responded in the final round. Assembled rationales and arguments provide an abundance of information on maintenance problems, and their causes and consequences. Maintenance problems were grouped into four problem categories: maintenance management, organizational environment, personnel factors and system characteristics. Problems form the maintenance management category dominate the top of the major problems list. Relationships among problem categories and their causations were analyzed. The data show that the organizational environment influences maintenance management problems, which in turn influence problems from the personnel factors category. Personnel problems are also dependent on system characteristics. >

Delphi study of software maintenance problems

This article introduces an electronic commerce paradox by observing that while electronic commerce grows rapidly it is, at the same time, based on unsettled foundations. It describes how 22 constraints for global electronic commerce were identified, and analyzes them in depth. The constraints fall into four themes: • Building trust for users and consumers • Establishing ground rules for the digital marketplace • Enhancing information infrastructure • Maximizing benefits. Each of these themes contains a number of critical issues. The first theme--building trust for users and consumers--involves privacy protection, security, consumer protection, authentication and confidentiality, and access blocking. The second theme includes legal framework, acceptance of electronic transactions, taxation, tariffs, intellectual property protection, commercial policy, and payment systems. Enhancing information infrastructure covers the needed infrastructure enhancements and includes Internet infrastructure and governance, interconnectivity and technical convergence, technical standards, bandwidth and accessibility, and the question of how to further the competition. The last theme is about maximizing the benefits of electronic commerce and includes the understanding of digital economy, its measurement, seamless globalization, and involvement of small businesses. At the time that this paper

/pdf/electronic-commerce-a-half-empty-glass-32ulkq665w.pdf

Electronic commerce: a half-empty glass?

Results of a survey of the 1990 Software Maintenance Association Meeting and Conference attendees indicate a number of changes in software maintenance-related issues. Systems are ageing and growing in size. Software maintenance is separated from new systems development in more than half of the organizations. Over 45% of maintenance work is spent on functional enhancements. About three out of four organizations depend on specific individuals because no-one else can maintain particular systems and only 5% of organizations employ a formal method for determining when software should be rewritten. Responses describing major problems and preferred changes in DP organizations were classified into general categories and compared with previous similar studies. Trends show maturation of software maintenance toward a greater appreciation of maintenance and at least an intention of managers to improve the support of this activity.

Sasa M. Dekleva

Papers

Measuring Software Engineering Evolution: A Rasch Calibration

Key issues in information systems management: a Delphi study in Slovenia

Delphi study of software maintenance problems

Electronic commerce: a half-empty glass?

Software Maintenance: 1990 status