Human Centric Computing Assignment 2 Proposal 15

The new Interface  The new interface which I have designed is based on the old library interface, but has been updated in order to make up for any areas the old interface lags.  It has been designed with a direct manipulation scheme which is more user friendly and easy to use.

The new applications of the interface  The user will now be able to hold up to three books, in order for him/her to pick them up when they will be available.  The user will be able to see if the book is suitable for him/her by entering the book’s information without having to go to the library.  Also the first renewal of any book which the user has borrowed will be done automatically by the interface, (in case the user forgets), and a warning letter will be sent to the user’s home address.

The Metaphor  The metaphor which I used is a real life library and all the actions of the interface are linked to the actions done by the user physically being in the library (e.g. searching for a book).  The objects e.g. a book in real life are a 3D object that unfolds, a book in the interface is very much like a real book.  The input devices of the interface are the mouse and the keyboard and they have been designed so that there is no problem when switching between them.

Interface Attributes  The user is able to arrange the content of the screen and can have more than one displays of different contents in parallel (e.g. window systems)  Switching between contexts is easy and is done by a click of a mouse on the icon created each time a new window is opened.

The Interface  Metaphor: The workstation represents the library interface which can contain a number of books organized into collections which can contain a number of books organized into collections and hyperlinks/icons representing search services (such as searches or renews) and hyperlinks/icons representing search services (such as searches or renews) a book is very much like a real book, and can be renewed as well a book is very much like a real book, and can be renewed as well direct manipulation commands operation on objects on the interface. direct manipulation commands operation on objects on the interface.  Exploit knowledge of: How students manipulate the library interface and the objects in a real life library (books, journals, theses) How students manipulate the library interface and the objects in a real life library (books, journals, theses)

Metaphor source characteristics  Objects and Attributes: Interface: size, colour… Interface: size, colour… Shelf collections: stack, code number… Shelf collections: stack, code number… Books: name, author, content… Books: name, author, content…  Relationships: Shelf collections can be accessed by students to search for books Shelf collections can be accessed by students to search for books Books can be borrowed by students Books can be borrowed by students Shelf collections contain books Shelf collections contain books  Actions: pick up book, put book in shelf collection…

Metaphor target characteristics  Objects and Attributes: Interface on screen: size, colour… Interface on screen: size, colour… Database: shelf collections, books… Database: shelf collections, books… Directories: name, size Directories: name, size Hyperlink icons: name, image, size… Hyperlink icons: name, image, size… Records: name, size Records: name, size  Relationships: Hyperlink icons can be visualized on the screen/interface so the user can choose the actions he/she wants to make (e.g. search for a book) Hyperlink icons can be visualized on the screen/interface so the user can choose the actions he/she wants to make (e.g. search for a book) Books are organized in the directories of the database Books are organized in the directories of the database Directories contain book collections Directories contain book collections Books are represented as records in the database Books are represented as records in the database

Mappings task : how the user performs it how the interface performs it task 1: remove book from a shelf collection to borrow select a book from the database to edit task 2: search through shelf collections to find the book search the database for the specific book (record) task 3: open the book by pulling back over to view contents and information select the book/record by double- clicking on hyperlink icon and opening the record to view task 4: request from library staff to hold a specific book when it is available when the book is available, set the book’s record on hold for the user and set unavailable for all other users

Possible mismatches  users may think the book can be on hold for a long time solution: a warning message will be displayed on screen when the user selects to hold a book solution: a warning message will be displayed on screen when the user selects to hold a book  users may think that the book will be renewed automatically every time solution: a warning message will be displayed on screen that the book will be automatically renewed only the first time and a letter will be sent to his/her home address solution: a warning message will be displayed on screen that the book will be automatically renewed only the first time and a letter will be sent to his/her home address  user think that dragging a book to his/her account basket will hold a book solution: provide clear menu items, or create such a method solution: provide clear menu items, or create such a method  user may not know how to manipulate the interface solution: provide clear menu items or create hyperlink icons for doing specific tasks solution: provide clear menu items or create hyperlink icons for doing specific tasks

Interface design  The basic objects of the interface as in a real life library are the books. The main objective of the user is to borrow the book he/she is interested in, for the application he/she has in mind. The interface is a tool for the user to which he/she can use to search for books and also find out information about the book contents from any internet access point.

Some examples  When a user searches for a book from the interface the library database is scanned. In a real life library the user would ‘scan’ through the library book shelves.  When a user places a book on hold the interface will wait for the book to be available (that is returned to the library from the user that has the book at the time) and then will make the book unavailable to all other users except the user that has set it on hold until he/she goes to the library and picks the book up. In a real life library the user would go to the helpdesk and request from the staff to hold a book for him when it will be available again. As we can see with the interface most of the actions have been automated.