The Automated Card-Sort as An Interface Design Tool: A Comparison of Products

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 646-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill J. Zavod ◽  
Donald E. Rickert ◽  
Steven H. Brown ◽  
State Farm Mutual
Keyword(s):  
Interface Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Card Sort ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Manual Sorting ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Space Requirements ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

The method of card-sorting is a very useful tool for interface design as it can help to uncover the mental models of users concerning the relationships among various interface items (links, menu choices, etc.). However, methodological difficulties associated with traditional sorting procedures such as time and space requirements, as well as tedious data analyses, have limited the practical utility of card-sorts. Some software tools have emerged that purport to automate the card-sorting procedure, as well as analysis of results, in order to attenuate or eliminate these difficulties. Three tools available for free download from the Internet were chosen for review. The tools were compared and contrasted in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, from the standpoint of the researcher as well as the participant. While all three tools were found to save much time and effort over manual sorting procedures, each also carries with it a set of unique capabilities and limitations, leaving open the possibility for improved automated sorting tools in the future.

Teaching the Finite Element Method As a Design Tool for Mechanical Engineering

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Grimm
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Method ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Solution Process ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Basic Solution ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Element Method

Abstract The importance of the finite element method as an engineering tool for design and analysis is emphasized in a senior level elective course taught at Michigan Technological University. The course emphasizes hands-on experience with computers and the pre- and post-analysis of results to establish confidence in solutions obtained. The students learn by using the finite element method to “solve” several design projects, rather than by being told about the method without significant actual experience. They also learn about the basis of the method, including formation of the matrix equations required and the numerical methods used in their solution. Intelligent use of the method requires that engineers understand both the mechanics of how to apply the method, i.e modeling requirements, and the limitations imposed by the basic solution process. The course provides the students with important experience in using the powerful finite element method as a design tool. It requires a strong background of fundamentals and stimulates the problem solving thinking skills so essential to industry.

scholarly journals Optimalisasi Manajemen Penerimaan & Penyimpanan Dokumen Fax Menggunakan Algoritma Greedy

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 625
Author(s):  
Intan Purnamasari ◽  
Oman Komarudin
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Programming Language ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Unified Modeling Language ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Extreme Programming ◽  
Machine Maintenance ◽  
Medium Enterprises

<p class="SUBAB1">Mesin <em>fax</em> pada dasarnya mutlak diperlukan bagi sebuah instansi maupun organisasi tertentu. Namun kesulitan yang dihadapi oleh beberapa perusahaan kecil maupun menengah adalah tidak dapat mengalokasikan dana bagi pembelian mesin <em>fax</em>, perawatan, dan perlengkapan komputer sebagai media penunjang. Bagi perusahaan yang telah memiliki mesin <em>fax</em> pun, manajemen dokumen yang diterima melalui<em> fax</em> menjadi kesulitan tersendiri, dari mulai perawatan mesin <em>fax</em>, pemeriksaan ketersediaan kertas dan <em>cartridge</em> tinta, pemeriksaan dokumen yang diterima, serta penyimpanan arsip <em>fax</em> yang diterima. Metodologi penelitian yang akan digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode rakayasa perangkat lunak atau <em>Software Development Life Cyle</em> (SDLC) dengan model pemrograman cepat atau <em>Extreme Programming</em>. Desain pemodelan aplikasi menggunakan UML (<em>Unified Modelling Language</em>) yang diimplementasikan menggunakan bahasa pemrograman PHP sebagai algoritma program dan bahasa pemrograman HTML untuk desain tampilan aplikasi dengan <em>tools</em> aplikasi Notepad++. Hasil implementasi dari aplikasi ini adalah yang semula awalnya penerimaan dokumen <em>fax</em> dengan menggunakan mesin <em>fax</em> harus tercetak dan membutuhkan media kertas sebanyak 100% mengingat mesin <em>fax</em> hanya dapat menampilkan pesan dan dapat dibaca setelah tercetak namun setelah  menggunakan apliksi <em>digifax</em> ternyata dapat menghemat penggunaan kertas sebanyak 24,6% sehingga penggunaan kertas menurun menjadi 78,6%. Hal ini karena dengan aplikasi <em>digifax</em> dokumen atau <em>file fax</em> yang diterima dapat disimpan dan dapat dicetak (<em>print</em>) maupun diatur sesuai kebutuhan pengguna.</p><p class="SUBAB1"> </p><p class="SUBAB1"><em><strong>Abstract</strong></em></p><p class="Normal7"><em>Fax machine basically is absolutely necessary for a particular institution or organization. However, the difficulties faced by some small and medium enterprises are not able to allocate funds for the purchase of a fax machine, maintenance, and computer equipment as supporting media. For companies that already have a fax machine too, management documents received via fax into its own difficulties, ranging from fax machine maintenance, checking the availability of paper and ink cartridges, examination of documents received, and the received fax archival storage. The research methodology that will be used in research is a method of software engineering or Software Development Life Cyle (SDLC) with fast programming model or Extreme Programming. Design application modeling using UML (Unified Modeling Language) which is implemented using the PHP programming language as the program algorithm and HTML programming language for interface design tool applications with Notepad + + applications.</em><em> </em><em>The results of</em><em> the implementation of this application is that the original fax document acceptance initially using fax machines need to be printed and paper media as much as 100% given the fax machine can only display a message and can be read as printed digifax but after using the same practice was able to save the use of paper as much as 24, 6%, so the use of paper decreased to 78.6%. This is because the application digifax documents or files received faxes can be stored and can be printed (print) and arranged according to user needs.</em><em></em></p><p class="SUBAB1"><em><strong><br /></strong></em></p><p class="SUBAB1"><strong><br /></strong></p>

Instant Prototyping Using HyperCard® on the Macintosh®

1988 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 362-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight P. Miller
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Code Generation ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Apple Computer ◽  
Control Panel ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
The Past ◽  
On Line ◽  
Interface Designs

Rapid interface prototyping (RIP) involves the simulation of potential user-interface designs for demonstrating and evaluating design concepts and iteratively modifying the interface designs without the burden of labor-intensive code generation and modification. In the past few years, many interface designers have had to use expensive equipment to help them perform RIP. Well, thanks to Bill Atkinson and the folks at Apple Computer Inc., you can purchase HyperCard® 1 software for your Macintosh® 2 for $49 and use it right out of the box for many of your RIP projects, without need of additional hardware (just add a cup of creativity). A special feature of HyperCard® allows the designer to create software-controlled buttons which, along with the graphics capabilities and the layering properties, permit the dynamic simulation of virtually any control panel that can be operated by discrete user inputs. Changes to the prototype can be made very rapidly (almost instantly) by an experienced HyperCard® user, making it possible to modify an existing prototype “on-line” in a design meeting. This paper will describe this serendipitous application of HyperCard®, its potential as an equipment-interface design tool, and describe how it was used to simulate the user interface for a weapons field tester, designed at Sandia.

A Framework for Design Traceability

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Barnett ◽  
C. J. Arbak ◽  
J. L. Olson ◽  
L. C. Walrath
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Product Evaluation ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
House Of Quality ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Design Solutions

Methods are needed for implementing findings of theoretical research early in the design phase and tracing them through to final designs. This paper describes one such approach in applying what is known about cognitive psychology, human factors, and development techniques to interface design. The basic technique used to provide a design framework was an adaptation of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) house of quality. This paper describes the QFD structure and how it was adapted to provide that critical link between theoretical research findings and resulting interface design concepts. The discussion focuses on three topics: basic concepts within the house of quality, the house of quality adapted for interface design, and application to the design process. A number of benefits are realized from use of this approach. First, it describes directly the relationship between human processing characteristics, design requirements, and design solutions. Second, it characterizes the nature of conflicts among alternative design solutions. Third, it indicates areas of potential applied research. Finally, it provides a single, hierarchical construct that carries through from the initial conceptual design to final product evaluation. The benefit of this approach to interface design is that a broad spectrum of theoretical and experimental research is summarized into a manageable design tool, which may provide insights to human factors practitioners, design engineers, and subject matter experts alike.

Dynamic Rules for User Interface Design (DRUID)

1989 ◽  
Vol 33 (17) ◽  
pp. 1143-1143
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Fox ◽  
Sidney L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Modular Design ◽  
User Interface Design ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Original Text ◽  
Electronic Book ◽  
Design Rules ◽  
Rule Based

A well-designed user interface is important for the success and acceptance of any software product. Some experts believe that user interface design can be improved through the application of specific rules translated from general design guidelines. Derivation of design rules from guidelines can be aided by computer tools. But storing guidelines in a computer may offer no advantage over printed text unless the computer also provides aids for selecting and applying design guidelines. DRUED development has been sponsored by The MITRE Corporation as a tool for improving user interface design. DRUID is based on the 944 design guidelines proposed in Smith and Mosier's 1986 Guidelines for Designing User Interface Software. But DRUID's capabilities extend beyond that original text and provide further aids for user interface design. Initial DRUID capabilities demonstrated in 1988 support the review of design guidelines as an “electronic book”, enabling a user to navigate through structured hypertext to find specific guidelines, to find functionally related guidelines, and to browse through guidelines at will. DRUID also permits ready retrieval of related guideline material by cross referencing and via a topical index. Newly developed DRUID capabilities extend that electronic book and move toward a computer-based design tool. DRUID users can now specify relevant guidelines for a system design application and rate the relative importance of those selected guidelines. Proposed future DRUID capabilities will provide functions to rate design compliance with those selected guidelines, to aid the translation of guidelines into specific design rules, and to develop rule-based templates to support modular design of user interface software. DRUID is implemented on the Apple Macintosh II computer with HyperCard software. The user interface for DRUID is designed to accommodate both expert and novice users. A DRUID user can accomplish sequence control either by pointing (via mouse) or by keyed command entries. DRUID computer aids promise to help expedite and reduce the cost of the development of user interface software. Those aids should also help improve the quality and consistency of user interface software through rule-based design.

Locus of Control and Goal-Setting

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 739-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Von Bergen
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Sorting Task ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Card Sort ◽  
Card Sorting Task ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Undergraduate Men

Effects of goal-setting and locus of control were studied in 188 undergraduate men in a laboratory setting using a card-sorting task. Two trials were employed with one of three goals assigned on Trial 2 (easy, moderately difficult, or hard goals representing, respectively, a 10%, 20%, or 50% increase over Trial 1 card sort). A curvilinear relationship moderated the relationship between goal-setting and card sorting when differences in locus of control were examined. However, when these individual differences were partialled out, a linear relation between goal-setting and card sorting typical of the goal-setting literature was obtained.

Effects of Level of Abstraction and Presentation Media on Usability of User-System Interface Guidelines

1988 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 330-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray A. Reaux ◽  
Robert C. Williges
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
User Interface Design ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Levels Of Abstraction ◽  
Level Of Abstraction ◽  
On Line ◽  
Software Engineers ◽  
Presentation Media

User-system interface (USI) guidelines are emerging as a tool for user interface design. The roles of levels of abstraction (concrete and abstract) and of guideline presentation medium (hard copy or on-line) on detection of USI guidelines violations in user-system interface evaluation were investigated. Overall, less than 50% of the guideline violations were detected by software engineers. Abstract guideline violations were more difficult to detect than concrete guideline violations, and on-line presentation resulted in relatively higher guideline usage during evaluation than hard copy presentation. It was concluded that improvements in USI guideline form and media are required to make guidelines a more useful USI design tool.

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