A new approach to collaborative frameworks using shared objects

Multi-user graphical applications currently require the creation of a set of interface objects to maintain each participating display. The concept of shared objects allows a single object instance to be used in multiple contexts concurrently. This provides a novel way of reducing collaborative overheads by requiring the maintenance of only a single set of interface objects. The paper presents the concept of a shared-object collaborative framework and illustrates how the concept can be incorporated into an existing object-oriented toolkit

Context in 3D planar navigation

One of the most frustrating barriers to the widespread use of 3D visualisation is the additional complexity in navigating 3D data. This paper details a new approach to improving navigation in 3D environments where the navigation is mainly planar. Data at a distance from the viewpoint is distorted as if projected onto a partial cylinder to approximate a plan view, thereby exposing information that may have been obscured. Previous approaches are compared with this new technique and screenshots presented. Implementation details of the technique are discussed as well as possible performance and useability issues

Augmented reality for the real world

Los Alamitos, US

Is this a pattern?

In the current climate, pattern is an often-misused buzzword. However, there is no clear definition of pattern-ness, perhaps because patterns do not lend themselves to prescriptive, formal definitions. The authors propose a set of characteristics that can be used as a test for pattern-ness. Each characteristic in their test describes an essential aspect of a design pattern. Recognizing these characteristics will help software designers understand, use, and write better patterns

Solving the occlusion problem for three-dimensional distortion-oriented displays

Recent research into distortion-oriented display (DODs) and non-linear magnification techniques has considered extending their application to large three-dimensional datasets. Inherent properties of three-dimensional datasets introduce some difficulties that do not occur in 2D environments. This paper considers the Occlusion Problem - that of context data hiding, or occluding, some or all of the data within an area of focus. A novel solution to this problem is proposed, namely the use of non-geometric distortions combined with geometric distortions, producing a three-dimensional distortion-oriented display that reduces obfuscation of data within the area of focus. An implementation of these techniques is developed, and its application to a small number of 3D datasets is examined as proof of concept

(Focus+context)3: distortion-oriented displays in three dimensions

3D datasets are becoming increasingly common, especially the use of large 3D datasets in geographical information systems (GIS) applications. Similar problems are likely with 3D datasets as have been found with large 2D datasets; namely the loss of context when examining a particular area of the data in detail. This paper proposes a solution based on 3D distortion-oriented displays, building on previous work on such displays for 2D datasets. Two such 3D distortion-oriented displays are described: the 3D Cartesian fisheye display and the 3D polar fisheye display. These displays are tested with a very small 3D dataset as a proof of concept, and it is proposed that their operation should be examined when applied to large datasets

A Six-Level Model of SMS-based eGovernment

Reading, U

British signals intelligence and the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland

Historians for decades have placed Room 40, the First World War British naval signals intelligence organization, at the centre of narratives about the British anticipation of and response to the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916. A series of crucial decrypts of telegrams between the German embassy in Washington and Berlin, it has been believed, provided significant advance intelligence about the Rising before it took place. This article upends previous accounts by demonstrating that Room 40 possessed far less advance knowledge about the Rising than has been believed, with most of the supposedly key decrypts not being generated until months after the Rising had taken place