| Patterns of HCI Design and Design of Patterns | | BIBAK | 1-6 | |
| Ahmed Seffah | |||
| User interface design patterns also called HCI or interaction or usability
patterns have been introduced first as a medium to capture and represent
solutions to users' problems. Patterns have been used also as a medium for
transferring the expertise of HCI designers and usability professionals to
software engineers, who are usually unfamiliar with UI design and usability
principles. Design patterns have been considered also as a lingua franca for
crossing cultural and professional barriers between different stakeholders.
Several HCI professionals have introduced their own pattern languages with
specific terminology, classification and meanings. Patterns have also been
presented as building reusable blocks at different levels of granularity, which
can be combined to compose new interactive systems. Despite the obvious and
acclaimed potential of these pattern-driven design approaches, patterns usage
has not achieved the acceptance and widespread applicability envisaged by
pattern pioneers such as Christopher Alexander. This paper provides an analysis
of the facts about patterns usages, pattern languages and pattern-based design
approaches. Some shortcomings in the presentation and application of HCI
patterns are identified and discussed under the prevailing fallacies. Based on
the analysis of how patterns have used so far, we draw some recommendations and
future perspectives on what can be done to address the existing shortcomings.
Making patterns more accessible, easily understandable, comparable and
integratable in software and HCI design tools can promote HCI patterns to claim
the usability, usefulness and importance originally envisaged for the
pattern-oriented design approach. Keywords: design patterns, pattern-oriented design, human-computer interaction, design
methods | |||
| The Pedagogical Usability -- Methodological and Practical Considerations | | BIBAK | 7-10 | |
| Ana-Maria Borozan; Ileana Trandafir | |||
| The paper presents some specific aspects of the usability of web-based
e-learning systems, focusing on the concept of pedagogical usability as a
quality feature distinct from general usability. There are briefly analyzed
aspects as scope, learning process, content, tasks, learner variables,
interaction with users, results evaluation and their implementation in SinPers
project (Innovative system for personalized and user-centered learning, with
applications to project management). As will be seen below these seven aspects
were considered since the requirements specification and design, and were
implemented progressively as the system was built. Keywords: pedagogical usability, e-learning, personalization | |||
| Software for Access Of Persons with Disabilities to Scientific Content | | BIBAK | 11-14 | |
| Ion Smeureanu; Narcisa Isaila | |||
| For people with visual impairments, especially for the blind persons, the
access to scientific content raises issues of accessibility both to reading web
documents, which contain specific elements of mathematics as images, with or
without alternative text and reading from files containing mathematical
expressions. The utility of applications for synthesis of artificial language
from a text (the mathematical expressions are converted into textual form using
editors) written in Romanian language is undeniable, given that increased the
concerns for the creation of facilities designed to contribute to a better
integration of persons with disabilities in society.
The purpose of this paper is the result of research in education field, namely the access to science, integrating the facilities audio presentation of information. Keywords: accessibility, mathematics, vocal synthesis | |||
| Testing With Visual Impairment Users of a Local Public Administration Web Site | | BIBAK | 15-18 | |
| Iulian Lesneanu; Dragos Daniel Iordache | |||
| Accessibility and usability are two concepts which evolved together,
usability being associated with ergonomics (especially cognitive ergonomics) of
the user-interfaces and accessibility being associated with the not
discriminative access to information technology. In this paper are presented
the results of testing with visual impairment users of a local public
administration Web site. The user testing goal was the identification of the
main usability and accessibility problems the blind users are dealing with. Keywords: user testing, TAP, accessibility, usability | |||
| MOSPY -- Software Instrument for Accessibility Analysis of Graphical User Interfaces | | BIBAK | 19-22 | |
| Paul Fogarassy-Neszly; Iuliu Szijjarto | |||
| This paper present a software instrument dedicated for Graphical User
Interfaces accessibility analysis. The presentation is realized through a case
study presenting the way this instrument works. There are presented some
accessibility deficiencies for the analyzed application and recommendations for
accessibility improvement. Keywords: accessibility, affordability analysis, screen reader | |||
| A Case Study in Formative Usability Evaluation Of a Local Public Administration Web Site | | BIBAK | 23-28 | |
| Dragos Daniel Iordache; Ruxandra Dora Marinescu; Maria Gheorghe-Moisii; Costin Pribeanu | |||
| Usability of local public administration web sites should be a key concern
in the implementation of the Information Society in Romania. Unfortunately,
usability evaluation is not yet a current practice. The purpose of this paper
is to present a usability evaluation methodology and a case study targeting a
local public administration web site. The evaluation procedure is based on two
methods: heuristic evaluation and user testing. A heuristic evaluation was
performed against a set of 24 heuristics. Then a user testing was carried on
that was based on the think aloud protocol. The evaluation results obtained
with each method were analyzed as regarding their confidence and validity. Keywords: usability, formative evaluation, heuristic evaluation | |||
| Facial Expression Recognition Based On Computer-Vision Specific Methods | | BIBAK | 29-32 | |
| Delia Mitrea; Sergiu Nedevschi; Dorian Gorgan | |||
| The paper proposes a study regarding the methods of abstract specification
for a game user interface by using UsiXML and UIML descriptive languages.
Certain aspects about the model-based interaction in the context of CADUI
(Computer-Aided Design of User Interface) and the effective use of the
modelling tools are presented. Keywords: abstract specification, modelling, description language | |||
| Principles Of Olfactory Human-Computer Interfaces | | BIBAK | 33-36 | |
| Iulian Popescu | |||
| This work represents a foray into digital representation problems odors, but
also specific aspects of human-computer interfaces smell. Keywords: olfactory interfaces, odor digitization | |||
| User Interaction Techniques Regarding Satellite Image Processing -- Greenview and Greenland Exemplification | | BIBAK | 37-44 | |
| Danut Mihon; Victor Bacu; Teodor Stefanut; Dorian Gorgan | |||
| Environmental applications have an increasing role in the modern society and
in the life of human kind, through the services they offer (e.g. meteorological
prediction, weather forecast, etc). Unfortunately most of the natural phenomena
prediction models work with large sets of parameters and unknown values that
have to be calibrated. This operation is high computing power consuming,
because of the large volume of data needed to be processed. GreenView and
GreenLand are two environmental applications that use Grid infrastructure for
the execution phase. The interactive interface of the two applications
facilitates their usage, by hiding from the user the internal complexity of the
Grid processing. GreenView and GreenLand offer the user different HCI (Human
Computer Interaction) techniques regarding the monitoring of the temperature
distribution and vegetation growth distribution over worldwide geographical
areas. Keywords: interaction techniques, usability, interpolation algorithm, environmental
applications | |||
| R3 -- A Configurable Input Device for Free-Space Interaction | | BIBAK | 45-50 | |
| Daniel Cernea; Achim Ebert; Andreas Kerren; Valentina Morar | |||
| Nowadays, a variety of input devices support 3D interaction by offering 6
degrees of freedom (DoF). Nonetheless, such devices that are available for
free-space usage (i.e., without the need for a surface as reference system) are
rarely intuitive and rather limited in number. To tackle these problems, we
propose a highly configurable mid-air device that supports an intuitive
interaction with virtual environments. R3 (roll, rotate, rattle) offers good
accuracy for 2D and 3D navigation, modeling and gameplay, but also tactile
feedback through the presence of a trackball, all this in a user-oriented way.
Additionally, the device can be easily switched back to being used as a regular
mouse. Keywords: human-computer interaction, input device, hardware, free-space interaction,
degrees of freedom | |||
| Depth Perception Evaluation of 3d Virtual Prototypes Using Immersive Cave Systems | | BIBAK | 51-54 | |
| Florin Garbacia; Andreea Beraru; Eugen Butila | |||
| In this paper an experimental study that aimed depth perception of virtual
prototypes in an immersive environment compared with the depth perception of
virtual prototypes using 2D LCD monitor is presented. The experiment carried
out shows that perceived depth values estimated for virtual prototypes is
significantly influenced by the stereoscopic visualization. Another interesting
result of the study was that the estimated depth accuracy significantly
increases with the depth size that has to be perceived. The results of
conducted experimental study illustrate that the use of immersive stereoscopic
visualization is useful during Computer Aided Design related activities. Keywords: immersive 3D Systems, Virtual Reality, Virtual Prototyping, CAD | |||
| A Ball Tracking Technique for Augmented Reality Applications | | BIBAK | 55-58 | |
| Dragos Catalin Barbu; Silvia-Ramona Bunea; Stefan Magureanu | |||
| This article presents a robust tracking technique based on colored balls and
with a reduced need for computing resources. The technique is based on a random
Hough transform algorithm which is optimized for use in real-time applications
such as augmented reality systems. Requiring only a conventional color camera
attached to a regular PC, this approach allows to determine the 3D position of
balls based on interactive processing frameworks. The algorithm is fast enough
to be easily combined with other real-time tracking engines. Unlike tracking
techniques based on recognition of planar markers, this technique provides
robustness to partial occlusion, which interact with real objects. Keywords: segmentation, scene analysis, tracking, AR applications | |||
| Didactics in Assisted Instruction | | BIBAK | 59-64 | |
| Gabriel Zamfir | |||
| Currently, cognitive development is based on diversifying activities which
depend on use of personal computers. In terms of technology, the modern world
is constantly developing, with its systems becoming more efficient, with which
an individual or group of individuals endowed with a rich amount of knowledge
systematically, offering increasingly diversified. From a social perspective,
the difficulty lies precisely to teach the knowledge workers in order to
understand and apply available technology. This paper analyzes and summarizes
learning problems by reconsidering the relationship between theory and
practice. A new paradigm is proposed, focused on didactics developed in an
assisted instruction environment. By this approach, the teacher -- personal
computer -- student triad reflected in education activities are highlighted, in
human-computer interaction context. Keywords: assisted instruction, assisted didactics design, computer literacy,
cognitive infrastructure | |||
| Interactive Tools for Lessons Development in Collaborative Elearning Systems | | BIBAK | 65-70 | |
| Mircea Marginean; Teodor Stefanut | |||
| Current direction in the development of eLearning systems is mainly oriented
towards creating collaborative lessons using interactive tools. The teacher has
the possibility to create the lesson using interactive tools while the students
can use it in running mode in a collaborative way, very similar to a lesson
organized in the classroom, where the teacher can interact with his students in
real time. This paper presents different types of interactive tools, their
development methodology and their integration into already existing eLearning
systems. Have been studied, developed and integrated the following types of
tools: text visualization, image visualization, video visualization. Each tool
is composed of two modules: the edit module -- available to the teacher only,
and the visualization module -- available to the teacher as well as to the
students. One of the problems that have been discussed in this paper was the
maximization of the space available to the visualization module and, at the
same time, the minimization of the space available for the editing module.
Another problem discussed here concerns the proposal of a base standard for the
modular development of the tools, so this process to be kept independent
against the eLearning platform where the tools will be eventually integrated. Keywords: interactive tools, eLearning systems, collaborative systems, interactive
lessons | |||
| Improving a Elearning System Using Specific Elements Of a Question-Answering System | | BIBAK | 71-74 | |
| Adrian Iftene; Ancuta Rotaru | |||
| Today Web developers try to create customized Web pages that are specific
for every user, based on characteristics such as their interests, social class
they belong to them or the context in which they access the pages. Web
application that we built it helps the two categories of users (students and
teachers) to communicate more easily from a distance. One of the basic
components of this system identifies similar questions posted by students on
basis of the question type and answer type and based on common keywords. This
component helps the student first, because it can quickly get an acceptable
answer to his question, from a similar question that already exist in the
system, with already responded from the teacher. Secondly it helps the teacher,
because when a student no longer wishes to answer the question (being satisfied
with the answer given), he can mark the question to not longer is forwarded to
the teacher. In this way, the system automatically reduces the number of
questions requiring a response from the teacher. Keywords: eLearning system, Question Answering system | |||
| MDL -- Computer Assisted Lesson Development Module | | BIBAK | 75-80 | |
| Daniel Safta; Dorian Gorgan | |||
| In this article we present a new approach to teaching computer science --
the evaluation and visual modeling of algorithms based on metaphorical forms --
applied within the core of a virtual education system, the development module
for computer-based lessons (MDL). We reveal the structure and characteristics
of the teaching process that we implemented in the proposed system, students
and their roles, applied teaching methods, solutions for evaluation and a case
study on a lesson model. We presented the state of the art in this domain
highlighting the advantages of the described solution set, and also possible
extensions. Keywords: computer assisted instruction, visual modeling, teaching process,
algorithmic thinking, programming language | |||
| Development of Multimedia Components for Educational Mobile Systems | | BIBAK | 81-84 | |
| Adriana Elena Reveiu; Marian Dardala | |||
| This paper proposes a solution based on templates for generating multimedia
components for distributed training systems, which can be used in applications
that run on both PCs and mobile devices. The purpose of this solution is to
provide access to training resources, usually available in classrooms through
personal computers, in other locations, using mobile devices. To become useful
tools in education, the technical solutions proposed aimed to use the potential
of mobile devices and adapting educational content to the specific
characteristics of mobile devices, communications networks, user preferences
and user's knowledge. Keywords: M-learning, mobile technologies, multimedia content adaptation,
template-based multimedia tools | |||
| Improving the Relevance of Search Engine Results Using Semantic Information from Wikipedia | | BIBAK | 85-90 | |
| Cristina Scheau; Traian Eugen Rebedea; Costin Chiru; Stefan Trausan-Matu | |||
| Depending on the user's intention, the queries processed by a search engine
can be classified in transactional, informational and navigational. In order to
meet the three types of searches, at this moment search engines basically use
algorithmic analysis of the links between pages improved by a factor that
depends on the number of occurrences of the keywords in the query and the order
of these words on each web page returned as a result. For transactional and
informational queries, the relevance of the results returned by the search
engine may be improved by using semantic information about the query concepts
when computing the order of the results presented to the user. Wikipedia is a
huge thesaurus which has the advantage of already being multi-lingual and
semi-structured, presenting a dense structure of internal links that can be
used to extract various types of information. This paper proposes a method to
extract semantic relations between concepts considered as the names of the
articles from Wikipedia, and then use these relations to determine the rank of
the results returned by a search engine for a given query. Keywords: search engine, optimization, reordering, semantic relations, Wikipedia | |||
| Using Design Patterns to Redesign The Search Engine of an Academic Web Site | | BIBAK | 91-94 | |
| Sabin-Corneliu Buraga; Ecaterina Valica | |||
| This paper presents the use of design patterns as a solution for redesigning
the interaction between visitors and the search engine of an academic Web site
-- in this case, the collaborative XWiki-based Web site of the Faculty of
Computer Science, "A. I. Cuza" University of Iasi, Romania. Keywords: web interaction, design patterns, search, Web design, prototyping | |||
| Evaluation and Automatic Summarization of Chat Conversations | | BIBAK | 95-100 | |
| Mihai Dascalu; Stefan Trausan-Matu; Philippe Dessus | |||
| With the continuous evolution of collaborative environments, the need for
automatic analysis and participant assessment in Instant Messenger discussions
(chats) has become more and more important. Moreover, a key element in a
grading and evaluation system for participants and utterances is summarization.
In order to achieve the previous goals, a series of factors specific to natural
language processing (including semantic analysis by means of Latent Semantic
Analysis -- LSA) and data-mining were taken into consideration. In order to
achieve a thorough and multi-perspective approach for assessing participants,
the system includes facilities derived from Page's essay grading techniques,
readability assessment and metrics specific to social networks analysis. A
golden standard was used for assessing the relevance of the obtained results
and for validation purposes of the proposed method. Keywords: extractive chat summarization, participative assessment, collaborative
environments, social networks, tagged LSA | |||
| Location-Based Services Personalization Using Genetic Algorithms and Intelligent Agents | | BIBAK | 101-104 | |
| Liviu Adrian Cotfas; Andreea Diosteanu | |||
| This article analyzes possible solutions for improving Location-based
Services (LBS) by using genetic algorithms and intelligent agents. The proposed
solution enables identifying the points of interest based on the user profile
and on the current context, and also generating routes in multi-modal and
multi-operator public transport networks. The route generator process is based
on a genetic algorithm that offers users the possibility to have a flexible
restriction set for quantifying the importance degree of each associated
optimization criterion. Therefore, we add an additional level of
personalization over the exclusive use of fixed constraints set in the route
identification process. The points of interest are represented by using
intelligent agents and the communication between them is realized with the help
of predefined ontologies. Keywords: mobile user interface, Location-based Services, Intelligent Agents, Genetic
Algorithms | |||
| Extracting Implicit Opinions of Economic Texts | | BIBAK | 105-108 | |
| Claudiu Cristian Musat; Stefan Trausan-Matu | |||
| We propose a new approach to opinion mining that relies not on explicit
occurrences of opinions in economic texts but on implicit ones extracted from
the polarity of the discussed economic subtopic. We begin by dynamically
generating a financial text corpus, following outgoing links from a set of
financial web pages and then by checking whether economic topics are discussed.
We separate economic from non economic texts by searching for key expressions
from a database built beforehand. In the second phase we prove that the
majority of economic texts that contain personal opinions can be retrieved
based solely on the implicit opinions within. We rely on co-occurrences of
economic indicators and future state modifiers to determine the polarity of
each text. We also present an extraction method for the said key terms. Keywords: economy, extracting opinions, financial economic indicators | |||
| Interactive Components in a Environment for Grid Applications Development | | BIBAK | 109-114 | |
| Victor Bacu; Dorian Gorgan | |||
| The degree of usability of the Grid applications by specialists in other
fields than computer science is low. This is due to the lack of interactive
components integrated in the Grid platforms that allow a transparent access to
Grid infrastructure. The majority of the Grid applications may only be used
through command line scripts. An environment for Grid application development
should provide interactive components for data management and workflows on Grid
and interactive components for development and inclusion of operators. In this
paper we present an architecture of such a development environment with
emphasis on interaction techniques and interactive components. Keywords: grid applications, development environments, interaction techniques | |||
| Task Modeling at Operational Level in the Context of Model-Based Design | | BIBAK | 115-118 | |
| Costin Pribeanu | |||
| In the context of model-based design of user interfaces it is important to
pay attention to the modelling of all relevant aspects as well as to the
specification of relationships between models. The task model has a particular
importance since it mediates the relationship between the domain model and the
presentation model. The purpose of this paper is to approach task modeling at
operational level from a broader perspective, defined by the activity theory
and the reference model for multi-target user interfaces. Keywords: task analysis, model-based design, basic tasks, operational task layer,
activity theory, UsiXML | |||
| Using Software for Decoding and Analysis of Physiological Reactivity in Human Higher Cognitive Processes | | BIBAK | 119-122 | |
| Mihai Anitei; Mihaela Chraif; Andrei Neacsu; Claudiu Papasteri; Mihai Ciolacu | |||
| The scientific data obtained by the polygraph technique concerning the human
psychophysiological reactivity has been disputed by a part of the scientific
community, who invoke the lack of consistent theories which would sustain the
existence of clear, causal links between the cognitive processes involved in
simulation and the measured physiological peripheral parameters (respiratory
parameters, cardiovascular parameters, galvanic skin response). In this
context, neurosciences are all the more looked upon to explain the approach of
the cognitive level of simulated behavior, in the attempt to understand the
neurophysiological basis of the underlying mental processes. This article
emphasises the utility of the LX 4000- version 9.9.5. used by the Lafayette
model 4000 polygraph in detecting and analising the human psychophysiological
reactivity to different stimuli and during superior cognitive processes. The
conclusions of this article demonstrate that the operationalization of these
technologies must be synchronized with the fundamental research which targets
the elaboration of solid scientific theories concerning simulated behavior. Keywords: electrodermal response, Calipers section, psychophysiological reactivity | |||
| Designing and Developing an Interactive System for the Management of the Organizations Involved in the Transport Research Activities | | BIBAK | 123-126 | |
| Ionut Petre; Dragos Marian Smada | |||
| The purpose of this paper is to present the Web interface that provides the
access to the information from the database built within the TransNew European
project. This project aims to develop and exploit an international database,
containing data about organizations that activate in the Transport Research
domain. TransNew is focused on assessing, analyzing and defining research
strategies for the Transport area in the New Member States and Associated
States. The interface provides to the final user a fast access to data about
research organizations, transport research projects, evaluations of the
national transport policies or information about the researchers involved in
these projects. The administration mode of the interface provides the
organizations the possibility to easily insert, manage and update the data
about their activities and results. Keywords: web interface, database, transport research | |||
| New Technologies and Children's Cognitive Development: Some Guidelines and Recommendations for Design | | BIBAK | 127-130 | |
| Ana-Maria Marhan | |||
| Most HCI principles and design recommendations have been tested and refined
in the process of developing computer interfaces for the adult user. During the
last few years, a growing demand for new sets of recommendations has occurred.
This paper discusses an example of guidelines to be specifically used in the
process of design and evaluation of computer interfaces for very young users,
especially children entering formal education system (5 to 8 years old). Keywords: cognitive development, learning, operational stage, design recommendations | |||
| Medical Assistance Through the Internet for Persons with Mobility Impairments and for Persons Residing in Rural and Medically Under-Served Areas | | BIBAK | 131-134 | |
| Adriana Alexandru; Cristina Simona Alecu | |||
| This paper presents an IT system (MeDist), which offers an operative and
user-friendly patient-medical system interface. The system will be a useful
instrument for healthcare services for persons in rural areas and for persons
located in remote or isolated places and also for those un-transportable, with
special needs. In order to assist them, at the design of the system we have
taking into account of the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
recommendations within the initiative in developing accessible websites (Web
Accessibility Initiative -- WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium. The MeDist
system offers: teleconsultation (remote medical assistance), monitoring of
chronic patients in need of locally unavailable specialists, orientation of the
patient towards the best place of treatment, medical care and recovery, and
facilities for making patient appointments. Keywords: telemedicine, medical assistance, accessibility | |||