Gerald Benoit, Dept of Computer Science & Grad School of Library & Information Science
Simmons College
Gerald Benoit reported for us the rationale for a 3D-based interface for navigating the results from a search query of an Art History database of images. He reviewed other 3D interfaces, reported on the user-study of his own system (which, he admitted, was a rejection of their 3D approach), and discussed the test subjects interest in “ownership” of the catalogue and its meta-data. (more…)
http://port25.technet.com
flossusability.ist.psu.edu
Bryan Kirschner and Paula Bach
From the open source lab in Microsoft (yes, Microsoft!). You could call their interest a small slice of open-source: “money-driven” open source (how do open source policies bring value to an organization?). To address this interest, it is in the interest of Microsoft to gain an understanding of the open source movement.
What is the role of HCI expertise in FLOSS development?
Consider that Firefox, as an open-source project, is widely-considered one of the most usable pieces of software. How did this come to pass, what kinds of design rationale went into the production of such a usable browser?
Paula presents a research plan where she will investigate the above question and then produce a tool to support usuability within the design.
