Showing papers on "User Friendly published in 2003"

Eye tracking and its application in usability and media research

Abstract: Over the last ten years the Internet has become an incredibly important media in everyday life of ordinary people. By now the World Wide Web is not a foreign concept anymore; millions of people make use of the internet in terms of e-mail, online banking, online shops, etc. Companies have realised the necessity of user friendly interfaces and software which even an inexperienced user is able to handle. Since the interaction with the Internet becomes ubiquitous, assessing usability of interfaces is a fundamental and necessary part of HCI development. Observing the overt behaviour of users, (which button does a user click on, how is the mouse used), retrospective self report, questionnaires and thinking aloud methods are just examples of traditional and quite successful strategies in order to investigate usability problems. So, why should there be a need for a new method when conventional methods seem sufficient in optimising usability and what is it’s contribution in the evaluation of how usable a particular design is? We will give a short introduction of the eye tracking method in applied marketing research and its benefits. Reporting two of our studies we will discuss the limits of traditional usability testing and will show how tracking the eye gaze can fill this gap.

System and method for providing a unified framework for service discovery

Abstract: Service Discovery (SD) agent (208) provides uniform and integrated service discovery operation, whereby a default connection to SD Engine (SDE) (224) may be automatically initiated to aid in service discovery. User agents (UA) (214-216) are installed to implement the various SDP interfaces (314-324) as required. Canonical query transform (310) transforms user queries from query generation tool (302) to the appropriate protocol as needed for SD interfaces (314-324). Likewise, service discovery results from the SD interfaces are translated by canonical query transform (310) into user friendly results for ultimate display to user interface (326).

Evaluating Digital Libraries: A User-Friendly Guide

Abstract: This Guide was shared at the NSF NSDL Educational Impact and Evaluation Workshop, October 2003. URL: http://eduimpact.comm.nsdl.org/evalworkshop/

User-Friendly Surveying Techniques for Location-Aware Systems

Abstract: Many location-aware applications rely on data from fine-grained location systems. During deployment such systems require a survey, specifying the locations of their environment-based components. Most current surveying methods are time-consuming, and require costly and bulky equipment. This paper presents the concept of self-surveying, i.e. methods by which a location system can survey itself. Such methods are user-friendly, fast, and require little or no extra equipment. Experimental results show self-survey accuracies comparable to the accuracy of the underlying location system.

Towards Task Oriented Map-based Mobile Guides

Abstract: The adaptation of mobile services to context specific parameters provides great potential for developing enhanced and more user friendly systems. In this article we argue that in addition to technical issues (display size, bandwidth, etc.) and user centred factors (demographics, preferences, etc.) especially situational aspects (e.g. location) need to be considered when designing new mobile guides. One major situational parameter is the task which the tourist wants to accomplish in using the mobile system. This provides a range of implications for the individual usage process

A general purpose software for distance monitoring and diagnosis of electrical machines

Abstract: This paper is mainly about the development of a virtual platform structure, on the design of the data-processing environment, the data standard, the design of the different acquisition and data processing systems, the database development for the management and the exchange of information. The main features are: user friendly interface, low maintenance source code, modularity to facilitate the integration of new computation and decision techniques, a standardized database for electrical machines monitoring and diagnosis to improve the knowledge of a large scientific community as well.

Method of enabling a user to update one or more low-level resources of a computer system in a user-friendly manner

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to update one or more low-level resources of a computer system in a user-friendly manner is described. In particular, multiple computer files are grouped. These computer files are utilized in a pre-boot environment to provide a menu-driven update guide that requests one or more responses from the user. Moreover, the computer files are utilized to initiate updating of the low-level resources based on the responses. Furthermore, a bootable image file of the computer files is generated. The user is provided access to the bootable image file.

The Discovery Phase of User Centred Design: Putting Users First in the Design of Smart Internet Technologies

Abstract: The Smart Internet Cooperative Research Centre aims to produce Internet technologies that are scaleable, intelligent and user friendly. Alongside four technology programs, a key research innovation of the SITCRC is the User Environment program aimed at ensuring technology outputs are user-centred and market focused. A challenge for researchers in this program is to ensure a user focus in the discovery phase of technical research where technologies and their functionalities are as yet poorly defined. This paper reports on the development of a methodological approach called Discovery UCD that is useful for researchers attempting UCD outside purely product focused corporate environments.Abstract paragraph

The FRR project: Developing a more user friendly rest room

Abstract: This paper describes the RTD project FRR (Friendly Rest Room) which is partly funded by the EU in the Quality of Life programme. The objective of the FRR project is (a) to create prototypes of more user friendly rest rooms for old persons and for persons

Effective e-Learning by Using HCI and Interactivity on Data Modeling

Abstract: As Internet computing becomes a norm in everyday life, web-based learning is acceptable to many people. However, it is a challenge to learn data modeling on the Internet. Not only is it difficult to guide the users through the operations of e-Learning, but also it is hard to measure its effectiveness. This paper presents a methodology of using interactivity of guiding the user through a case study to learn the discipline of stepwise procedure of data modeling. With well documented data modeling theories on the web pages, the user has to answer the question correctly by selecting the right choice step by step to complete a case study. As a result, the user learns the correct way of data modeling through interactive learning on the web. It is very user friendly and effective. In this respect, this paper focuses on the design principles and implementation of the Human-Computer Interface (HCI). We lay down the guidelines for HCI design concept and principles, and evaluate the HCI design of an interactive e-Learning application.

Design and implementation of a Web-based Real-time Interactive Collaboration Environment

Abstract: WWW becomes the most popular application platform due to its user friendly multimedia user interface. In this work, we design and implement a Web-based Real-time Interactive Collaboration Environment (WRICE) on the Internet. The goal of the work is to design an efficient and friendly network environment to ease the collaboration activities through the Internet. There are three important features implemented in our system, the first one is a user friendly interaction interface through synchronized free drawing and real-time video/audio stream, the second one is a scalable architecture that improves the multicast performance for multimedia content, and the third one is a web-based architecture with a variety of optional features, which are installation free from the standpoint of users.

Virtual computational chemistry laboratory: Internet tool for remote modeling and design in chemical problems

Abstract: Exploiting electronical networks allows preparing special tools by cooperative effort of different departments and institutions. In proposed report we describe the score of our recent investigations on such issue under INTAS project. The overall objective of this research is to develop multiplatform software allowing the computational chemist to perform a comprehensive series of molecular properties calculations and data analysis on Internet. The proposed software is based on three-tier architecture that is becoming a widespread to provide client-server services over the world. The computational part will be written in C/C++, while the graphical interface will be done in Java. The developed software will be user friendly and will allow a simple incorporation of new modules (including proprietary software) developed by other researches. A unique feature of this system will allow such modules to run at the computers where the software was developed while the calculation results will be available worldwide

Toward highly available, self-healing, adaptable, grid-like and user friendly nondedicated clusters

Abstract: The human body was used to illustrate an Autonomic Computing system that possesses self-knowledge, self-configuration, self-optimization, self-healing, and self-protection, knowledge of its environment and user friendliness properties. Autonomic Computing was identified by IBM as one of the Grand Challenges. Many researchers and research groups have responded positively to the challenge by initiating research around one or two of the characteristics identified by IBM as the requirements for Autonomic Computing. One of the areas that could benefit from the comprehensive approach created by the Autonomic Computing vision is parallel processing on nondedicated clusters. This paper shows a general design of services and initial implementation of a system that moves parallel processing on clusters to the computing mainstream using the Autonomic Computing vision.

Distance learning in laboratory sessions

Abstract: The incoming technologies allowing for a massive use of remote driven instruments could improve the quality of the experiments in laboratory sessions, especially for what concerns the very specific high level classes. Moreover, taking into account the large number of students, the availability of the lab can be greatly extended. In order to give flexibility and high performances to the educational tool a user friendly virtual instrument has been realised allowing distance learning. Some basic experiments can be performed by the user, namely the analysis of both the RC and the RLC circuits, frequency measurements and also measurements on audio-frequency amplifiers. Indeed, the user can make the choice of the experiment which he is interested in and can choose the particular procedure among the implemented ones. By using the adopted procedure the user can carry out a proper training without loosing the contact with real instruments. In order to emphasize the features of the implemented system some examples are presented. A "presence effect" will be added in the next future, by using a web camera in the lab.

A web-based user guide for Sri Lanka standards 573: standard method of measurement of building works

Abstract: A brief investigation revealed that the Sri Lanka Standards 573 (SLS573): Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (SMM), which was first revised in 1999, is generally used in the industry. However, it is also viewed that the SMM is not popular enough because of several issues. This research was aimed at identifying such issues and compiling a "Web-Based User Guide" to make it popular in the industry. The research was focussed on to investigating the problem areas of the SMM SLS 573 and to group them under three headings namely; Measurement rules which do no match to local needs, Areas where clarification is required and Omissions where no measurement rules have been given. The questionnaire survey received a poor response thus a selected number of professionals were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. It was revealed that many people were reluctant to use the SLS573 because of the ambiguities and non-conformity to local practices. With these findings of the research a user friendly and easy to use electronic user guide was developed. This is called as the Web-Based User Guide and it has many advantages over the other methods of popularising the SMM. It is hoped that this new concept will have a changing effect in the industry and the process of standardisation will be a success.

Development of Web Based Machining Tool Data System Using XML(eXtensible Markup Language)

Abstract: With rapid growth of internet technology, companies have developed an information system such as the electronic catalog for product data in the E-Business Due to the heuristic nature of the catalog search for proper tools in the specific process, the intelligent and user friendly methods residing in the search process give a comfortable environment even for the beginners in the field In this paper, we develop a web based catalog for machining tools especially in Milling process It has two distinct procedures for the users of the catalog; Search and Analysis The Search is to select a proper cutter, insert, component combination in the developed relational database based on the cutting process and material The Analysis is to suggest a recommended optimal cutting conditions based on the machining tools and selected materials All of these procedures are stored in a server with a program based on the ASP and Java Script where the procedure is initiated by the client using the internet which is accessed through insert With the success on implementing the above engineering database in the internet, we can provide the foundation for developing PDM with heuristic procedure

/ A system which allows an user to raise intelligent and user-friendly cyber pets on internet

Abstract: PURPOSE: A system for growing an intelligent and user-friendly cyber pet on the wire/wireless Internet is provided to breed the cyber pet through an activity and an intelligent pattern stored in a database on a server of a service provider while the user grows the cyber pet on the cyber. CONSTITUTION: A community is opened on the server of the service provider. The cyber pet provided from the service provider is registered to the community. The user selects the cyber pet with no charge after registering to the communication as a member. The user grows the cyber pet after inputting user's preference to the cyber pet.

MURBANDY: The (so far) Missing Link: User-Friendly Retrieval and Visualization of Geographic Information

Abstract: In many situations, the search for non-textual information is driven by a specific topic rather than the values of a data record’s attributes. Therefore, data is often indexed with census nomenclatures, classifications or thesauri to allow a user to search with keywords. MURBANDY is a user-friendly graphical interface which supports query formulation using this indexing languages and at the same time visualizes the semantic dependencies between them and other search attributes. The generic version of the user interface is able to display dependencies between keywords and an arbitrary number of databases during query formulation, and lets the user interactively explore and manipulate his query at a very detailed level.

10 quick tips for a more user-friendly PDA.

Abstract: The author provides tips for customizing a PDA so that it is more useful to the physician at the point of care.

The challenge of personalisation and mobility: COST #276

Abstract: The classical terms of communications, informatics and broadcasting face convergence to a unified information platform. The challenge of COST 276 Action, dedicated to user friendly multimedia data access and management, keeping in mind the individual nature of each subject, is briefly presented.