[1]
Workshop on Emotion and Visualization: EmoVis 2016
Workshops
/
Kerren, Andreas
/
Cernea, Daniel
/
Pohl, Margit
Companion Proceedings of the 2016 International Conference on Intelligent
User Interfaces
2016-03-07
v.2
p.1-2
© Copyright 2016 ACM
[2]
Organisational Overview: Institute for Design and Assessment of Technology,
Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)
Organizational Overview
/
Fitzpatrick, Geraldine
/
Tellioglu, H.
/
Zagler, W.
/
Pohl, M.
/
Güldenpfennig, F.
/
Hödl, O.
/
Ganhör, R.
/
Mayer, P.
/
Frauenberger, C.
Proceedings of IFIP INTERACT'15: Human-Computer Interaction, Part IV
2015-09-14
v.4
p.624-625
© Copyright 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
Summary: The Institute for Design & Assessment of Technology (IGW) is part of the
Faculty of Informatics at the Vienna University of Technology and is
historically comprised of two groups: Multidisciplinary Design and Human
Computer Interaction, which also includes the Centre for Applied Assistive
Technology. The institute is highly interdisciplinary, within a traditional
computer science faculty. Members come from various backgrounds, enabling us to
merge technical engineering and social sciences research with people-centred
design. The Institute includes 35 employed faculty/researchers/students and
over 10 associated PhD students, engaged in 30 projects funded by the EU and
national funding agencies, and supported by administrative staff.
[3]
Experiences and challenges with evaluation methods in practice: a case study
Adopting methods from other fields
/
Kriglstein, Simone
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Suchy, Nikolaus
/
Gärtner, Johannes
/
Gschwandtner, Theresia
/
Miksch, Silvia
Proceedings of the 2014 Workshop on BEyond time and errors: novel evaLuation
methods for Information Visualization
2014-11-10
p.118-125
© Copyright 2014 ACM
Summary: The development of information visualizations for companies poses specific
challenges, especially for evaluation processes. It is advisable to test these
visualizations under realistic circumstances. Because of various constraints,
this can be quite difficult. In this paper, we discuss three different methods
which can be used to conduct evaluations in companies. These methods are
appropriate for different stages in the software life cycle (design phase,
development, deployment) and reflect an iterative approach in evaluation. Based
on an overview of available evaluation methods we argue that this combination
of fairly lightweight methods is especially appropriate for evaluations of
information visualizations in companies. These methods complement each other
and emphasize different aspects of the evaluation. Based on this case study, we
try to generalize our lessons learned from our experiences of conducting
evaluations in this context.
[4]
Evaluating the Dot-Based Contingency Wheel: Results from a Usability and
Utility Study
Visualisation Methods and Techniques
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Scholz, Florian
/
Kriglstein, Simone
/
Alsallakh, Bilal
/
Miksch, Silvia
HIMI 2014: 16th International Conference on Human Interface and the
Management of Information, Symposium on Human Interface, Part I: Information
and Knowledge Design and Evaluation
2014-06-22
v.1
p.76-86
Keywords: Visual Analytics; Evaluation; User Interface; Interview; Contingency Tables
© Copyright 2014 Springer International Publishing
Summary: The Dot-Based Contingency Wheel is an interactive visual-analytics method
designed to discover and analyze positive associations in an asymmetrically
large n×m contingency table. Such tables summarize the relation between
two categorical variables and arise in both scientific and business domains.
This paper presents the results of a pilot evaluation study based on interviews
conducted with ten users to assess both the conceptual design as well as the
usability and utility of the Dot-Based Contingency Wheel. The results
illustrate that the Wheel as a metaphor has some advantages, especially its
interactive features and ability to provide an overview of large tables. On the
other hand, we found major issues with this metaphor, especially how it
represents the relations between the variables. Based on these results, the
metaphor was redesigned as Contingency Wheel++, which uses simplified and more
familiar visual representations to tackle the major issues we identified.
[5]
A user study of different gameplay visualizations
Studying and designing gameplay
/
Kriglstein, Simone
/
Wallner, Günter
/
Pohl, Margit
Proceedings of ACM CHI 2014 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
2014-04-26
v.1
p.361-370
© Copyright 2014 ACM
Summary: With the rising interest in multiplayer gaming, gameplay statistics have
become an increasingly important aspect of the overall game experience for many
players. As a part of this trend, visualizations have gained great popularity
among players, in particular heatmaps since they allow them to reenact the
course of a game and to develop new strategies. In this paper we report results
of a user study conducted with 29 players (i) to investigate how players use
heatmaps and two further graphical representations that use clustering
algorithms to interpret gameplay and (ii) to assess the three representations
in regard to time efficiency, correctness, suitability, and player preference.
Our results show that heatmaps were mainly used to detect hot spots while the
cluster representations proved useful to compare variables, allowing the
players to uncover relationships between them and in turn allowing a deeper
insight into the gameplay data.
[6]
EDITED BOOK
Handbook of Human Centric Visualization
/
Huang, Weidong
2014
n.29
p.743
Springer New York
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7485-2
== Part I: Visual Communication ==
Visualizing Thought (3-40)
+ Tversky, Barbara
Gryphon: A 'Little' Domain-Specific Programming Language for Diffusion MRI Visualizations (41-61)
+ Chen, Jian
+ Cai, Haipeng
+ Auchus, Alexander P.
+ Laidlaw, David H.
Viewing Abstract Data as Maps (63-89)
+ Gansner, Emden R.
+ Hu, Yifan
+ Kobourov, Stephen G.
== Part II: Theory and Science ==
Individual Differences and Translational Science in the Design of Human-Centered Visualizations (93-113)
+ Green, Tera Marie
+ Arias-Hernandez, Richard
+ Fisher, Brian
Evaluating Visualization Environments: Cognitive, Social, and Cultural Perspectives (115-145)
+ Hundhausen, Christopher D.
On the Prospects for a Science of Visualization (147-175)
+ Rensink, Ronald A.
== Part III: Principles, Guidelines and Recommendations ==
Toward a Better Understanding and Application of the Principles of Visual Communication (179-201)
+ Bae, Juhee
+ Watson, Benjamin
Pep Up Your Time Machine: Recommendations for the Design of Information Visualizations of Time-Dependent Data (203-225)
+ Kriglstein, Simone
+ Pohl, Margit
+ Smuc, Michael
Using Textbook Illustrations to Extract Design Principles for Algorithm Visualizations (227-249)
+ Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Ángel
== Part IV: Methods ==
Conceptual Design for Sensemaking (253-283)
+ Blandford, Ann
+ Faisal, Sarah
+ Attfield, Simon
An Introduction and Guide to Evaluation of Visualization Techniques Through User Studies (285-313)
+ Forsell, Camilla
+ Cooper, Matthew
User-Centered Evaluation of Information Visualization Techniques: Making the HCI-InfoVis Connection Explicit (315-336)
+ Freitas, Carla M. D. S.
+ Pimenta, Marcelo S.
+ Scapin, Dominique L.
Eye Tracking on Visualizations: Progressive Extraction of Scanning Strategies (337-372)
+ Goldberg, Joseph H.
+ Helfman, Jonathan I.
Evaluating Overall Quality of Graph Visualizations Indirectly and Directly (373-390)
+ Huang, Weidong
Visual Analysis of Eye Tracking Data (391-409)
+ Raschke, Michael
+ Blascheck, Tanja
+ Burch, Michael
User Studies in Visualization: A Reflection on Methods (411-426)
+ Tory, Melanie
== Part V: Perception and Cognition ==
On the Benefits and Drawbacks of Radial Diagrams (429-451)
+ Burch, Michael
+ Weiskopf, Daniel
Measuring Memories for Objects and Their Locations in Immersive Virtual Environments: The Subjective Component of Memorial Experience (453-471)
+ Coxon, Matthew
+ Mania, Katerina
Human-Centric Chronographics: Making Historical Time Memorable (473-511)
+ Korallo, Liliya
+ Davis, Stephen Boyd
+ Foreman, Nigel
+ Moar, Magnus
Visualizing Multiple Levels and Dimensions of Social Network Properties (513-525)
+ McGrath, Cathleen
+ Blythe, Jim
+ Krackhardt, David
== Part VI: Dynamic Visualization ==
Adaptive Diagrams: A Research Agenda to Explore How Learners Can Manipulate Online Diagrams to Self-Manage Cognitive Load (529-550)
+ Agostinho, Shirley
+ Tindall-Ford, Sharon
+ Bokosmaty, Sahar
Dynamic Visualisations and Motor Skills (551-580)
+ Castro-Alonso, Juan Cristobal
+ Ayres, Paul
+ Paas, Fred
Dynamic Visualizations: A Two-Edged Sword? (581-604)
+ Lowe, Richard K.
Simultaneous and Sequential Presentation of Realistic and Schematic Instructional Dynamic Visualizations (605-622)
+ Nugteren, Michelle L.
+ Tabbers, Huib K.
+ Scheiter, Katharina
+ Paas, Fred
How Do You Connect Moving Dots? Insights from User Studies on Dynamic Network Visualizations (623-650)
+ Smuc, Michael
+ Federico, Paolo
+ Windhager, Florian
+ Aigner, Wolfgang
+ Zenk, Lukas
+ Miksch, Silvia
== Part VII: Interaction ==
Interaction Taxonomy for Tracking of User Actions in Visual Analytics Applications (653-670)
+ von Landesberger, Tatiana
+ Fiebig, Sebastian
+ Bremm, Sebastian
+ Kuijper, Arjan
+ Fellner, Dieter W.
Common Visualizations: Their Cognitive Utility (671-691)
+ Parsons, Paul
+ Sedig, Kamran
Distribution of Information Processing While Performing Complex Cognitive Activities with Visualization Tools (693-715)
+ Parsons, Paul
+ Sedig, Kamran
Human-Centered Interactivity of Visualization Tools: Micro- and Macro-level Considerations (717-743)
+ Sedig, Kamran
+ Parsons, Paul
+ Dittmer, Mark
+ Haworth, Robert
[7]
Visual perception of international traffic signs: influence of e-learning
and culture on eye movements
Full Papers
/
Rakoczi, Gergely
/
Duchowski, Andrew
/
Casas-Tost, Helena
/
Pohl, Margit
Proceedings of 2013 Eye Tracking South Africa
2013-08-29
p.8-16
© Copyright 2013 ACM
Summary: Various eye movement metrics were recorded during the visual perception of
international traffic signs embedded within an e-learning course designed to
familiarize participants with foreign signage. Goals of the were to gauge
differences in task types, sign origin, and ethnicity (American, Chinese, and
Austrian) as well as effectiveness of the e-learning teaching materials in
terms of prior preparation. Results, in contrast to other studies, suggest that
teaching materials had no overall effect on either eye movement metrics nor on
task success rates. Instead, sign origin had the strongest effect on gaze, as
foreign signs in mixed presentation with domestic signs, elicited a larger
number of fixations with longer mean fixation durations, highest regression
rates, and lower performance scores. Possible effects of ethnicity were also
noted: Americans showed lower mean fixation durations over the entire
experiment, independent of test conditions, with Chinese participants fixating
faster on (correct) road signs than the other ethnic groups.
[8]
Methodologies for the analysis of usage patterns in information
visualization
Improving existing methods
/
Pohl, Margit
Proceedings of the 2012 Workshop on BEyond time and errors: novel evaLuation
methods for Information Visualization
2012-10-14
p.17
© Copyright 2012 ACM
Summary: In this position paper, we describe two methods for the analysis of
sequences of interaction with information visualization tools -- log file
analysis and thinking aloud. Such an analysis is valuable because it can help
designers to understand cognition processes of the users and, as a consequence,
to improve the design of information visualizations. In this context, we also
discuss the issue of categorization of user activities. Categorization helps
researchers to generalize results and compare different information
visualization tools.
[9]
Patient Development at a Glance: An Evaluation of a Medical Data
Visualization
Visualization
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Wiltner, Sylvia
/
Rind, Alexander
/
Aigner, Wolfgang
/
Miksch, Silvia
/
Turic, Thomas
/
Drexler, Felix
Proceedings of IFIP INTERACT'11: Human-Computer Interaction
2011-09-05
v.4
p.292-299
Keywords: interaction techniques; user study; time-orientated data; visual
exploration; medical data
© Copyright 2011 IFIP
Summary: This paper describes the results of an evaluation study of a prototype for
the visualization of time-oriented medical data. Subjects were nine physicians.
The prototype combines well-known visual representation techniques and
extensive interaction techniques. The aim of the study was to assess the
system's usability and whether the prototype solved relevant problems of
physicians in hospitals. It was found that one of the great advantages of the
system was that it allowed physicians to see the development of the patients at
one glance. It was also shown that users clearly preferred an easy to learn and
understand design and familiar visualizations.
[10]
Visually Exploring Multivariate Trends in Patient Cohorts Using Animated
Scatter Plots
Health and Well-Being
/
Rind, Alexander
/
Aigner, Wolfgang
/
Miksch, Silvia
/
Wiltner, Sylvia
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Drexler, Felix
/
Neubauer, Barbara
/
Suchy, Nikolaus
EHAWC 2011: Ergonomics and Health Aspects of Work with Computers
2011-07-09
p.139-148
Keywords: Information Visualization; animation; time; medical data
Copyright © 2011 Springer-Verlag
Summary: The effectiveness of animation in visualization is an interesting research
topic that led to contradicting results in the past. On top of that, we are
facing three additional challenges when exploring patient cohorts: irregular
sampling, data wear, and data sets covering different portions of time. We
present TimeRider, an improved animated scatter plot for cohorts of diabetes
patients that tackles these challenges along with its evaluation with
physicians. Results show that animation does support physicians in their work
and provide further domain-specific evidence in the discussion on the
effectiveness of animation.
[11]
Exploring information visualization: describing different interaction
patterns
New Metrics II
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Wiltner, Sylvia
/
Miksch, Silvia
Proceedings of the 2010 Workshop on BEyond time and errors: novel evaLuation
methods for Information Visualization
2010-04-10
p.16-23
© Copyright 2010 ACM
Summary: Interactive Information Visualization methods engage users in exploratory
behavior. Detailed information about such processes can help developers to
improve the design of such methods. The following study which is based on
software logging describes patterns of such behavior in more detail. Subjects
in our study engaged in some activities (e.g. adding data, changing form of
visualization) significantly more than in others. They adapted their activity
patterns to different tasks, but not fundamentally so. In addition, subjects
adopted very systematic sequences of actions. These sequences were quite
similar across the whole sample, thus indicating that such sequences might
reflect specific problem solving behavior. Davidson's [7] framework of problem
solving behavior is used to interpret the results. More research is necessary
to show whether similar interaction patterns can be found for the usage of
other InfoVis methodologies as well.
[12]
Human Aspects of Visualization
Workshops
/
Ebert, Achim
/
Dix, Alan J.
/
Gershon, Nahum D.
/
Pohl, Margit
Proceedings of IFIP INTERACT'09: Human-Computer Interaction
2009-08-24
v.2
p.965-966
© Copyright 2009 IFIP
Summary: The quantity of data available in our modern information society is
ever-growing. It is becoming unfeasible for any one person to oversee, much
less understand the overwhelming amount of unstructured, multidimensional
information he or she is confronted with every day. The human visual system,
the "mind's eye", relies in large part on the eye and on the processing and the
interpretation of the information processed by the brain. Visualization
utilizes both.
[13]
Interactive Game Based Learning: Advantages and Disadvantages
Universal Access to Learning and Education
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Rester, Markus
/
Judmaier, Peter
UAHCI 2009: 5th International Conference on Universal Access in
Human-Computer Interaction, Part III: Applications and Services
2009-07-19
v.3
p.92-101
Keywords: Game Based Learning; Evaluation; Ecodesign; Life Cycle Thinking
Copyright © 2009 Springer-Verlag
Summary: Interactive Game-Based Learning might be used to raise the awareness of
students concerning questions of sustainability. Sustainability is a very
complex topic. By interacting with a simulation game, students can get a more
detailed and holistic conception of how sustainability can be achieved in
everyday purchasing situations. The SuLi (Sustainable Living) game was
developed to achieve this goal. In an evaluation study we found evidence that
SuLi is an interesting alternative to more traditional approaches to learning.
Nevertheless, there are still many open questions, as, e.g., whether one should
combine simulation games with other forms of teaching and learning or how to
design simulation games so that students really acquire detailed concepts of
the domain.
[14]
As time goes by: integrated visualization and analysis of dynamic networks
Posters Day 2: Visualization and user experience
/
Pohl, Mathias
/
Reitz, Florian
/
Birke, Peter
Proceedings of the 2008 International Conference on Advanced Visual
Interfaces
2008-05-28
p.372-375
Keywords: dynamic network visualization, dynamics of networks, human-centered visual
analytics, multiple and integrated views
© Copyright 2008 ACM
Summary: The dynamics of networks have become more and more important in all research
fields that depend on network analysis. Standard network visualization and
analysis tools usual do not offer a suitable interface to network dynamics.
These tools do not incorporate specialized visualization algorithms for dynamic
networks but only algorithms for static networks. This results in layouts that
bother the user with too many layout changes which makes it very hard to work
with them.
To handle dynamic networks the D<scp>gd</scp>-tool was implemented. It does
not only provide several layout algorithms that were designed for dynamic
networks but also different instruments for statistical network analysis.
Network visualization and statistics are combined in a multiple view interface
that allows visual comparison of several network layouts and several network
metrics at the same time. Furthermore the time-dependent behaviour of
structural changes becomes visible and facilitates the analysis of network
dynamics.
[15]
What dynamic network metrics can tell us about developer roles
/
Pohl, Mathias
/
Diehl, Stephan
Proceedings of the 2008 International Workshop on Cooperative and Human
Aspects of Software Engineering
2008-05-13
p.81-84
© Copyright 2008 ACM
Summary: Software development is heavily dependent on the participants of the process
and their roles within the process. Each developer has his specific skills and
interests and hence contributes to the project in a different way. While some
programmers work on separate modules, others developers integrate these modules
towards the final product. To identify such different groups of people one
approach is to work with methods taken from social network analysis. To this
end, a social network has to be defined in a suitable way, and appropriate
analysis strategies have to be chosen. This paper shows how a network of
software developers could be defined based on information in a software
repository, and what it can possibly tell about roles of developers (and what
not) in the process of the application server Tomcat.
[16]
Computer supported collaborative learning and vocational training: adapting
the technology to the learners' needs
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Rester, Markus
/
Stöckelmayr, Kerstin
/
Jerlich, Jutta
/
Judmaier, Peter
/
Reichl, Franz
/
Obermüller, Eva
Universal Access in the Information Society
2008
v.7
n.4
p.259-272
© Copyright 2008 Springer-Verlag
Summary: The aim of the ECODESIGN project was the development of a course in
sustainable product design. The target group are employees in the areas of
product design, marketing or similar areas. Some learners from this target
group have a low computer literacy and are, therefore, reluctant to use
advanced forms of electronic communication. Collaborative learning has to be
designed according to the learners' needs, taking into account that many
participants of the ECODESIGN course have to get used to electronic
communication. Despite this problem, a community of practice seems to result
from the ECODESIGN course. Active tutoring was especially important to motivate
learners and to constitute the community of practice.
[17]
Mixing Evaluation Methods for Assessing the Utility of an Interactive
InfoVis Technique
Part 2: Usability and Evaluation Methods and Tools
/
Rester, Markus
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Wiltner, Sylvia
/
Hinum, Klaus
/
Miksch, Silvia
/
Popow, Christian
/
Ohmann, Susanne
HCI International 2007: 12th International Conference on Human-Computer
Interaction, Part I: Interaction Design and Usability
2007-07-22
v.1
p.604-613
Keywords: Information Visualization; Evaluation; Utility; Focus Groups; Insight
Reports; Methodology
Copyright © 2007 Springer-Verlag
Summary: We describe the results of an empirical study comparing an interactive
Information Visualization (InfoVis) technique called Gravi++ (GRAVI),
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) and Machine Learning (ML). The application
domain is the psychotherapeutic treatment of anorectic young women. The three
techniques are supposed to support the therapists in finding the variables
which influence success or failure in therapy.
To evaluate the utility of the three techniques we developed on the one hand
a report system which helped subjects to formulate and document in a
self-directed manner the insights they gained when using the three techniques.
On the other hand, focus groups were held with the subjects. The combination of
these very different evaluation methods prevents jumping to false conclusions
and enables for an comprehensive assessment of the tested techniques.
The combined results indicate that the three techniques (EDA, ML, and GRAVI)
are complementary and therefore should be used in conjunction.
[18]
Students' Attitudes Towards Novel Interfaces in E-Learning
Part III: Learning and Entertainment
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Herbst, Ilona
/
Reichl, Franz
/
Wiltner, Sylvia
UAHCI 2007: 4th International Conference on Universal Access in
Human-Computer Interaction, Part III: Applications and Services
2007-07-22
v.3
p.738-747
Keywords: students' attitudes; learner-centered design; academic teaching; university
didactics
Copyright © 2007 Springer-Verlag
Summary: There is still very little research about students' attitudes about
e-learning. Such information seems to be necessary for a successful
implementation of e-learning. Current research indicates that main advantages
of e-learning are its flexibility and the provision of online learning
material. A major drawback, as perceived by the students, is the lack of
personal relationships. We conducted two focus groups to clarify these issues
(N=54). The study supported the results from the literature. In addition, we
found a few controversial issues as, e.g., preference for lectures/textbooks
and tight schedules vs. preference for online learning and few deadlines.
Another controversial issue was electronic assessment.
[19]
Methods for the evaluation of an interactive InfoVis tool supporting
exploratory reasoning processes
Lessons learned from case studies
/
Rester, Markus
/
Pohl, Margit
Proceedings of the 2006 AVI Workshop on BEyond time and errors: novel
evaLuation methods for Information Visualization
2006-05-23
p.3
p.1-6
© Copyright 2006 ACM
Summary: Developing Information Visualization (InfoVis) techniques for complex
knowledge domains makes it necessary to apply alternative methods of
evaluation. In the evaluation of Gravi++ we used several methods and studied
different user groups. We developed a reporting system yielding data about the
insights the subjects gained during the exploration. It provides complex
information about subjects' reasoning processes. Log files are valuable for
time-dependent analysis of cognitive strategies. Focus groups provide a
different view on the process of gaining insights. We assume that our
experiences with all these methods can also be applied in similar evaluation
studies on InfoVis techniques for complex data.
[20]
Analysis of the Authoring Process of Hypertext Documents
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Purgathofer, Peter
Proceedings of the Eleventh ACM Conference on Hypertext
2000-05-30
p.240-241
© Copyright 2000 ACM
[21]
Hypertext Authoring and Visualization
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Purgathofer, Peter
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies
2000
v.53
n.5
p.809-825
© Copyright 2000 Academic Press
Summary: Visualizing information structure plays an increasing role in hypertext
systems. Empirical evidence shows that such visualizations support the users or
readers of hypertext systems. The following study investigates whether such
information visualizations in the form of two-dimensional graphical overview
maps also support the writers of hypertext documents. It also seems plausible
to assume that the process of writing text changes when graphical overview maps
integrated into hypertext systems are used. We also analysed the relationship
between the authoring process and the character of the finished documents. In
general, it can be said that visualizing the information structure inherent in
a document plays an important role in hypertext authoring. It was the only
innovative feature of the hypertext authoring system we developed which was
used intensively by almost all the authors. In contrast to that, the finished
documents were rather traditional. Authors did not exploit the novel features
of hypertext/hypermedia systems like, e.g. introducing pictures, movies or
sounds. On the basis of the analysis of the hypertext authoring process
guidelines can be formulated to support writers of hypertext documents.
[22]
Problems of the Development of a Hypertext Authoring Tool
Hypermedia
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Purgathofer, Peter
Proceedings of the 1994 Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference
1994-11-28
p.167-172
Keywords: Hypertext, Authoring systems, Learning models, Evaluation methods and tools,
User models
© Copyright 1994 Ergonomics Society of Australia CHISIG
Summary: There is a tendency for computer novices to become involved with hypertext
systems, especially in educational environments. Systems must be tailored to
the specific needs of these users. To be able to do that, a careful analysis
of the transition process from linear text to hypertext is necessary.
Untrained users of hypertext authoring systems usually have great difficulties
with the hypertext concept. The aim of our research is to get a better
understanding of the problems which arise when authoring hypertext systems in
university education, and, more specifically, to develop an authoring tool that
allows students to write their own hypertext documents. Our experience shows
that the hypertext concept is difficult to understand and to apply but it can
be made easier by the introduction of an adequate authoring tool.
[23]
DarkStar -- Studying Hypertext Creation by Naive Authors
Demonstrations
/
Pohl, Margit
/
Dieberger, Andreas
/
Purgathofer, Peter
Proceedings of the ECHT'94 European Conference on Hypermedia Technologies
1994-09-18
© Copyright 1994 Association for Computing Machinery
Summary: The goal of the DarkStar project is to support naive users in the creation
of hypertexts and to study the process of hypertext creation. DarkStar
documents are small-scale hypertexts but hypertext generation problems can be
studied well in such small documents. The present authoring system, STEP2,
incorporates many lessons learnt in previous versions. One part of STEP2 is
the structure editor where nodes and links can be defined or deleted at any
point during design of the document. As we want to study the temporal
development of the hypertext this creation process is monitored by logging
functions. An external tool converts those logs to animations that visualize
the process of hypertext creation. The system also logs hypertext reading to
determine major navigational paths and where people have to backup. Another
tools serves to visualize those logs. A third evaluation tool is a statistical
tool used to determine general statistics about documents. DarkStar is a
Client-Server concept supporting networked group-work. The envelope concept
allows authors to create links to other hypertexts very soon in the design
process without risking to create dangling links. Envelopes provides standard
entry points to a hypertext and valid link destinations even if the nodes in
the envelopes are not filled with data yet or if nodes in the envelope are
deleted. At the ECHT94 we will present a single computer version of our
system. The focus of the demo will be on the editor STEP2, the evaluation
tools and lessons learnt in the iterative redesign of the authoring system.
