obso1337.org

Laugh out loud @ comments in my People article.

Even after all the cuteness and creepy jokes it comes down to usability debate. I love this community.

seele :: Aug.31.2006 :: Asides, KDE/Kubuntu :: Comments Off

Commentary: This report does not include the survey comparison to the work completed by the SUSE Interfaces and Applications Team. I ran out of time (and writing space, the paper is twice longer than required) and will provide a separate analysis sometime in the future.

Abstract

“Start menus” are a popular desktop menu system meant to easily provide application shortcuts to users. Although the original context of these menus worked very well, the menu system has not evolved with user’s information habits. Usability issues with the menu system are known, however design changes to existing menus and the design alternatives of replacement menus do
not seem to fulfill user’s information needs.

In this study, three areas of usability were examined: user research and requirements,
information architecture, and interaction design. It was clear from the user survey that participants had a certain level of dissatisfaction for start menu system; they preferred methods other than their start menu to launch applications, and expected functionality which for the most part does not currently exist in the menu systems. Information architecture was an extreme issue
for the systems analyzed, both on a fundamental structure and detail quality level. Task analysis and interaction for two menus was simple and efficient, without noticeable issues with cascading horizontal menus. Task analysis and interaction for the larger menu was extremely complex, however some of the menu features provided alternatives which were more efficient than the
other two menus.

There are serious issues with start menu systems, particularly the suitability for addressing users needs and its information architecture. Certain properties of the information architecture can be addressed in the short term and will greatly improve item findability. However additional research must be conducted on user’s information needs and information architecture concepts
before a long term solution can be designed.

Read the rest of the paper: (PDF 632KB)

seele :: Aug.29.2006 :: Academics, General, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: 9 Comments »

Commentary: Finally finished one (of two) research papers for my remaining summer graduate classes. This paper (for my Information Environments class) is more of a case study, where as my Survey of Menu System Usability report is more applied research.

Executive Summary

Usability engineering is the process of involving users throughout the development cycle to produce user-centric, easy to use software. The process model of involving users throughout this cycle is called user-centered design. Although a logical and proven model, the success of this process is often impeded by poor transference of knowledge between usability engineers, interaction designers, and the development team. Information breakdowns occur when communication fails between process members and deliverables are not produced or interpreted to their fullest potential. Lack of, misinterpretation of, or poor quality of information costs development time, project resources, and often the patience and sanity of the people involved.

The design and build stages of the user-centered design process are the most volatile for information breakdowns, particularly between the usability engineers and the development team and the interaction designers and the development team. Many of these information problems can be alleviated or even eliminated by providing better audience-centric documents, more open communication channels, and most of all unbounded iteration of create, evaluate, revise, and repeat. The iterative nature of the user-centered design process is the most important tool available in preventing information breakdowns. The constant communication and revision of information provides many opportunities for potential information breakdowns to be discovered, addressed, and resolved.

Read the rest of the report: (PDF 148KB)

seele :: Aug.25.2006 :: Academics, General, Usability :: No Comments »

** Warning, this is an angry post. **

One of the hottest things on the internet are home-made video clips of anything and everything. I’ve seen some funny stuff in the past year, some of it stupid-kid tricks like jumping a skate board over a truck, or funny World of Warcraft music videos. Today, someone linked me something that really should’nt be on the internet. Its not snuff, porn, or cruelty to animals. However its pretty cruel to people. A person. A f**ing kid.

These links do not contain porn, but I wouldn’t have your kid sitting by you watching:

The Video.

The Game

Wow. Someone actually did that to their kid/sibling? Someone knowingly video taped this poor kid playing a game and then getting the shit scared out of him? Not that scaring a kid this young is O.K., but what kind of world do we live in where someone thinks it would be O.K. to video tape and post their child in complete terror on the internet? I am certainly an advocate of freedom of speech and information everywhere, including the internet, but something’s got to give. I am also an advocate for human rights and protecting our children — not only from scary things like the Exorcist — but from the internet. This video has now been permanently recorded in to our history, and no amount of hugs and kisses of comfort will be able to make it go away.

I think I am more angry that this is posted on the internet than that it happened at all. Cruelty happens in all ways, shapes, and forms, but this child had no control and no consent over this recording. Admittedly, I probably wouldn’t have an opinion or care (as much) if he were a teenager or an adult. Have you tried the maze? It scared the shit out of me.

This video’s popularity has also spurred many other similar videos, as you can see from related video list. What kind of competition or ideals does the social internet foster where people feel like they have to create something that brings the worst out of humanity and preserve if for all time? Just for a laugh or ‘props’ on a website. Apparently its a mixed bag if you read through some of the video comments. Where do you stand?

seele :: Aug.23.2006 :: General, Life, Technology :: 17 Comments »

1. Name: Celeste, aka seele
2. Age/Birthday: 25 as of last Monday!
3. Single or Taken: Taken
4. Favorite Movie: Ghost in the Shell
5. Favorite Song: Illuminat by Thievery Corporation
6. Favorite Band/Rapper/Artist: I have no single favorite, but I did just get tickets to see Massive Attack
7. Favorite Book/Comic Book: Neuromancer by William Gibson
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings: Used to have some piercings, but now not even my ears are
9. Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch TV but when I did it was X-Files or The Daily Show
10. Favorite Video Game/Board Game: World of Warcraft or RISK
11. Do we know each other outside of Livejournal?: Yes
12. Would you give me a unicorn?: Once designer genetics is more affordable, sure
13. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you: Other than being a total geek (which you already know), I probably spend way too much time reading research papers that don’t have to do with my current classes
14. If you could change anything about your current life, would you?: I would live closer to the city and have a puppy
15. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?: Ta-da
16. Post a picture of you:
    

seele :: Aug.18.2006 :: Blogging, General :: 7 Comments »