12,845 research outputs found
The effect of age and font size on reading text on handheld computers
Though there have been many studies of computer based text reading, only a few have considered the small screens of handheld computers. This paper presents an investigation into the effect of varying font size between 2 and 16 point on reading text on a handheld computer. By using both older and younger participants the possible effects of age were examined. Reading speed and accuracy were measured and subjective views of participants recorded. Objective results showed that there was little difference in reading performance above 6 point, but subjective comments from participants showed a preference for sizes in the middle range. We therefore suggest, for reading tasks, that designers of interfaces for mobile computers provide fonts in the range of 8-12 point to maximize readability for the widest range of users
Web Tracking: Mechanisms, Implications, and Defenses
This articles surveys the existing literature on the methods currently used
by web services to track the user online as well as their purposes,
implications, and possible user's defenses. A significant majority of reviewed
articles and web resources are from years 2012-2014. Privacy seems to be the
Achilles' heel of today's web. Web services make continuous efforts to obtain
as much information as they can about the things we search, the sites we visit,
the people with who we contact, and the products we buy. Tracking is usually
performed for commercial purposes. We present 5 main groups of methods used for
user tracking, which are based on sessions, client storage, client cache,
fingerprinting, or yet other approaches. A special focus is placed on
mechanisms that use web caches, operational caches, and fingerprinting, as they
are usually very rich in terms of using various creative methodologies. We also
show how the users can be identified on the web and associated with their real
names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, or even street addresses. We show why
tracking is being used and its possible implications for the users (price
discrimination, assessing financial credibility, determining insurance
coverage, government surveillance, and identity theft). For each of the
tracking methods, we present possible defenses. Apart from describing the
methods and tools used for keeping the personal data away from being tracked,
we also present several tools that were used for research purposes - their main
goal is to discover how and by which entity the users are being tracked on
their desktop computers or smartphones, provide this information to the users,
and visualize it in an accessible and easy to follow way. Finally, we present
the currently proposed future approaches to track the user and show that they
can potentially pose significant threats to the users' privacy.Comment: 29 pages, 212 reference
Label size design : aesthetics and effeciency
Considering label as one of the important map component, this paper is an attempt to provide empirical evidence of label size design rules and frames which is based on the design aesthetics and efficiency. Determining the âbestâ legible label size is critical concern involves testing design aspect and needs. Both aesthetics and efficiency can set the design frames for better perception and legibility. Aesthetics was calculated by determining usersÂŽ preference of different use of label sizes, whereas efficiency was calculated by measuring time to locate targets of different. Both areal and point data were involved in the study to determine the combination of the two measurements of label size design. Digital maps were designed and presented to users as they were firstly asked about their preference of different use of label size, and secondly they were asked to locate different label size. The intersection between the first test and the second one attributes the frames for label size design. The correlation between the preferable sizes and the efficient sizes is being traced and the relation between label size aesthetics and efficiency is being identified. This study indicates the need to test other visual variable in order to serve many labelling functions
E-reading in organizations: Users' satisfaction and preference
This paper defines electronic reading (e-reading) and then continues to discuss the diverse definitions of the main resource of e-reading, which are, electronic books (e-books). It then proceeds to describe the formats and standards of existing e-book initiatives, which are gaining wider interest since the introduction of portable electronic reading devices and software-based readers that provide users with a more realistic book reading experience. Advantages, disadvantages, and problems with paper-based reading are also explained. In addition, a study concerning an evaluation of e-reading satisfaction is
described. Three different e-book formats (LIT, PDF, and HTML) were utilised to accomplish the primary aims of the study, which were to identify the most preferred format, associated software-based reader (Microsoft Reader, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer), and the potential of e-reading in the workplace. Based on a proposed preferred index, the results seem to suggest that Microsoft Reader is
more preferable when compared to the other two. However, most participants preferred reading on paper rather than on screen. Although this was the case, some participants would e-read depending on resources and situations
Utilising IGV approach to identify factors affecting web usability
Due to the changing nature of Internet technology and user needs,continuous web evaluation has become very important in determining the usability of web sites. However, web designers often face problems in identifying the right criteria for evaluation. Despite the growing number of guidelines and other literature on web design and evaluation,each of them varies in terms of quality, coverage, relevancy, and suitability. With this in mind, a study using IGV approach was carried out to identify key generic criteria that need to be taken into consideration by designers or others when assessing the overall usability
of web sites. The results of the study include a comprehensive list of the identified usability criteria that were grouped into 7 major factors - screen appearance, content, accessibility, navigation, media use, interactivity, and consistenc
Development of a music organizer for children
Software development for children is challenging; children have their own needs, which often are not met by âgrown upâ software. We focus on software for playing songs and managing a music collectionâtasks that children take great interest in, but for which they have few or inappropriate tools. We address this situation with the design of a new music management system, created with children as design partners: the Kids Music Box
Optimizing text-intesive documents for on-screen viewing using the model of the Portable Document Format
Document portability programs transform electronic documents into a state that allows information to be viewed, annotated, and printed by any computer system, regardless of the original computer platform or software application used to create the primary document. In addition, portable documents maintain formatting, fonts and graphics as they appear in the original. Despite the unique opportunity these programs offer for distributing information, most portable document developers do not use the technology effectively. Poor font rendering and page sizes too large for easy navigation or comfortable monitor viewing make most portable documents impractical for pure electronic use. When a document is presented on screen, it no longer has the same properties as a printed page. Though the information contained within it may not have changed, the reader has less control over the conditions under which the document will be read. It becomes the responsibility of the creator to present that information in a useful manner, if he or she wishes the information to reach its audience. The purpose of this study was to determine whether it is possible, through simple formulaic reformatting, to create highly legible text intensive documents for on screen viewing using a document portability program, specifically Adobes Portable Document Format. This objective was achieved by determining the factors that con tribute to legibility and creating and testing various documents based on those findings. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether the portable document format is a viable medium for viewing text intensive documents on screen. It was found that though the portable document format has revolutionary specific uses, and if documents are formatted specifically for the medium users prefer them over nonoptimized documents, users still prefer to read text intensive documents on paper
Second language user support
Computer users rarely experience entirely trouble-free interaction. The natural variety ofindividuals ensures that no software systems yield constantly fluent interaction for allusers. In consequence, software designers often strive to ameliorate this situation bybuilding 'user support' into their systems. User support can take different forms but,conventionally, each aims to assist the needy end-user by means of facilities directly supporting the performance of certain operations, or through supply of information thatadvises the user on available system functionality.The present paper briefly characterises a range of user support facilities before describingone requirement in greater detail. This aspect considers the needs of users whose mother-tongue is not English, but who are obliged to use English-based information systems. Inthis context, 'helping the user' must reasonably extend beyond mere advice on systemoperation to selective elucidation of information content. We regard this move as alogical extension of the user support concept, by seeking to address specific interactionneeds in a target user population. An example of this approach is described through aninformation system, in the domain of civil engineering, for native Chinese speakers ofEnglish
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