W09 – Nov 03: Quiz 07 on Chapter 3 The User Model

A short note on the quiz tomorrow Nov 03 on Chapter 3: The User Models. I updated the slideshow and placed it in Vista into the Learning Module W08. Notes allowed but not Worksheets or the Book.

Midterm

Just in time for the Midterm, I have updated the Cumulative Grade Spreadsheet in Google Docs and developed the Letter Grading Template for CSC334. Have a look and let me know if have missed or misrepresented some of your grading items. I will explain the spreadsheet tomorrow in class in more detail. However, approximately 1/3 of the class did not submitted the “Individual Assignment 2” on Vista. I need an electronic version, so please e-mail it as attachments ASAP. Thanks. KP.

W05: Interview and Evaluations

Now we need action. Some of the Interviewees have already responded.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION IS TO CONTACT THESE USERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You must visit every day your group pages and sign up for an open client and e-mail the appointment letter.

The Evaluation. We have a prototype running thanks to Jordan’s efforts. So here is an important point on how to set up the evaluation: Please train this procedure over the weekend and we will come up with an unified approach on Monday.

A User might not be familiar with an iPhone, or any hand-held device. So we need an introduction routine to familiarize them with the device. Only then can we expect a “natural reaction” to our buttons. Let the user make three open and close routines. Have the new (Thursday night) icon on the front page at the bottom left. Have Google Search, Calendar and Talk installed.

For example: 1. Demonstrate how to hold the device in your right hand and explain and press the home button and slide to on . 2. Turn off and place it into the users right hand. 3. User presses home button and slides to on. 4. User selects and deselects Google Search, Calendar, Talk.

With this preparation the user is ask to remember and spell out loud some information that had to be searched for in the last couple of days (take note of that info). NOW ask the user to open the Information Finder by pressing the .info icon. Note exactly what the user does? How long does it take to find the buttons, to select one button and to press that button? Notations are direct, confused, hesitation. Speed: immediate, slow (locking around), very slow (thinking), interrupted (ask questions). Then ask to “Start over again”, i.e., go to the front page (find and use the Back button).

Protocol:
Familiarization Routine: Yes – No
Information: What?......................
Open page:
Finding Buttons: direct, hesitation, confused
Speed: immediate, slow (locking around0, very slow (thinking), interrupted (ask questions)
Which Button: Help, What, Search
Start Over: Explain that this is all there is because Info Finder is in development. Then, ask the User to start over.
Found Back button: direct, hesitation, confused
Speed: immediate, slow (locking around0, very slow (thinking), interrupted (ask questions)

Please think this trough and practice this routine over the week end.

ALSO, VISITE YOUR GROUP’S INVITATION PAGE AND CONTACT OPEN USERS.

Thanks for your help. Best, KP

iPhone and Campus Wireless

Starting Monday September 15th the wireless network at SCSU will require user authentication to access it. What this means is you will no longer be able to use the wireless network without Windows username and protection.

This security measure is being enforced to enhance your data protection within the university systems.  You can find documentation on how to install Clean Access Agent on your computer from the following documentation.  Please select your operating system from the table of contents on the right.

Thank you for your patience during this transition.
-Office of Information Technology

.......

If you wish to use a moblie device such as an iPhone or iTouch on the wireless academic network you need to register it. This can be done by visiting TE7 anytime from 8AM-8PM M-Th and 8AM-4PM F

Which Session and What is to be Blogged When in the Wiki?

The posting is about the previous session, not the session in progress!

So, the summary on session W02 should be posted by coming Monday (Sept 22). The latest posting day accepted for credit is Wednesday, however, each day late after Monday costs -10 points. This first time, for W01 and W02 only, you may post till Wednesday coming week (Sept 24) without the late penalties.

The first part of the blog is a brief review of one of the topics sent three times a week by e-mail from ACM. In order to get this e-mail service, you must subscribe to the TechNews. First, you must be ACM member. Then you generate at acm.org a web account with a Member ID. I would suggest that you use your full name with some punctuation in between for generating an unique ID. Later, the User ID for the web account can be easily changed. Create a password (another one of those).

In your ACM Web Account page (myACM) page on the left side under "My Contact Information" provide your e-mail address where you like to receive the "Email Announcements" and check that box under the same headline too. That’s it. However, if still confused, call the ACM Member Service at 1-800-342-6626. They are very nice and help full.

The second part of the blog is a brief summary of the learning experience in the previous completed session, which would be W01 at the time of this communication. I posted for the first two sessions some sample blogs in my e-Portfolio page. Look them up.

Try it out.any questions, please add a comment to this posting.

Wish you fun and luck. best, KP

Test Post for Verification of Access by RSS Reader

Hallo CSC334,

After some research I found the reason for an lack of RSS activity  from this Class Blog. Readers can not verify Private Blogs, only Public Blogs - this is part of RSS v 1.0. The new version RSS 2.0 is in the works and will allow authentication for Private Blogs. But at this time, i have to open the Blog to the public (Any Reader). However, I have blocked Search Engines and the Listing of this blog in Blog Lists.

This is a Test Post for the RSS Reader reading verification. Sorry for the inconvenience. If you get this feed, please mark it in our Course Gogle Document.

Thanks, KP

Slideshow for "W02 UCSD Process" posted in VISTA

Friends, I apologize again for having had so much technical troubles with my presentation on Chapter 4 topics. I just finished the W04 slideshow and posted it in Blackboard e-Learning VISTA. It is much more condensed than that of SS-A (which I have posted as well) and may serve as a good preparation for Monday's Quiz 02.

If you read this Blog from your Google RSS Reader, please mark the second column in our Google Document ( https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dc2srpkw_1028hpcrj6hk&hl=en ) with an OK.
Thanks. Best, KP

Where is Norman?

YES, that is what blogs are about: instant RSS (social) communication. Thanks for your enthusiasm for Google's newest product. But, let's put it into context. Did you read already the materials that were part of the Chrome Usability Assessment?

So, after the first OH and AH, read the criticism one of the most experienced “Usability Gurus” has to say to Simple Simplicity. Where is the Usability?  Are you a typical user or just one of the 10% of average users that are technology enthusiasts and swallow up everything new?

Look at this browser more closely. The real new thing is that instead of using a none-weighted "Web History" with every URL listed in sequence of visits, it is weighting the visited URL and displays the most often visited place (useful?) but not in a boring character list but in a visual picture panel list.

Beside of this visual impact, how is the "normal web browser usage" satisfied? Visit history is the least of my browsing memories since I am browsing for a purpose not for leisure of random discovery.  Search and Bookmarks are for me the most important since I know why I'm using my browser.

So what is Norman saying to this particular feature of Chrome?

And please, do not forget to make a "time effort table". Measurement includes starting time and ending time for each of the tasks ask for in the Assignment. (See Grading Rubric). Best, KP

Google Chrome

I found Google Chrome to be an amazing browser. Its fast, stylish, and compatible with various plugin applications while running very smooth. The Chrome browser allows multiple tabs and I feel is more stable than Firefox. IE is exploited with garbage tool bar add ons and Chrome supports just the esentials. I can see myself using Chrome more often and even as my defualt browser.

Having coded several website i understand that certain browsers just plain out 'suck' Chrome is cross compatable and I havent seen errors yet.

Chrome also works great with microsoft Silver light, great integration on that end.

-AE

CSC334 - Human-Computer Interaction

Hi Friends, I am excited to work with you this new course introducing the field of human-computer interaction. Please look at the course description and the syllabus posted in Vista. I have gotten several e-mail inquiries on the course content, the course organization and the text book. Please let us use this blog for clarifications of still open questions and for anything else that comes into your mind.

I invited you all to this Blog as authors, so that you can post directly comments. Please do so.

First thing to discuss is the text book. It took me several years to find the right combination of pragmatic guidance and scientific reference. Try to get a used version from amazon.com or from somewhere else. Otherwise, a new book is a good investment in future technology developments. The user-centered software development process will be an important qualifying key word in your professional ambitions. Also, please follow all the course preparations I have outlined in an attachment to an welcome e-mail, sent out mid July: get you g-mail account and let me know about it, get the ACM membership and get Google Talk installed for chatting and talking with me and your other class mates. This course will be based on intense group working, so you better get used to the collaborative technologies.

I will stay in contact with you during the end of the break. Enjoy your summer. KP