The design-by-adaptation approach to universal access: learning from videogame technology

This paper proposes an alternative approach to the design of universally accessible interfaces to that provided by formal design frameworks applied ab initio to the development of new software. This approach, design-byadaptation, involves the transfer of interface technology and/or design principles from one application domain to another, in situations where the recipient domain is similar to the host domain in terms of modelled systems, tasks and users. Using the example of interaction in 3D virtual environments, the paper explores how principles underlying the design of videogame interfaces may be applied to a broad family of visualization and analysis software which handles geographical data (virtual geographic environments, or VGEs). One of the motivations behind the current study is that VGE technology lags some way behind videogame technology in the modelling of 3D environments, and has a less-developed track record in providing the variety of interaction methods needed to undertake varied tasks in 3D virtual worlds by users with varied levels of experience. The current analysis extracted a set of interaction principles from videogames which were used to devise a set of 3D task interfaces that have been implemented in a prototype VGE for formal evaluation

Implementation of GIS-Based Applications in Water Governance

__Abstract__ Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer programs that are able to bring large amounts of data of both the physical and the social system together in one comprehensive overview shown digitally. GIS occurred very rapidly on the Dutch policy agenda. In this paper we analyze how the fast introduction process of GIS-based instruments in water management and more specifically in river flood management can be explained. By applying a range of classical models on agenda-setting, we show the important contribution of GIS to the water and flood issue in current spatial planning and policy development in the Netherland

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

Swarm intelligence is the emergent collective intelligence of groups of simple autonomous agents which are autonomous subsystems that interact with their environment. This paper presents a performance evaluation system for swarm robots. The model proposed includes a set of performance assessment criteria and performance assessment and monitoring system. The proposed approach is developed for swarm robots developed for health system responsible for delivery, guidance, monitoring, recognition, and delivery which a project in European 6(th) Framework Research Program and carried out by several European nations

Towards smart notifications - An adaptive approach using smart devices

The use of smart devices is increasing rapidly; this trend is changing the paradigm in which notifications are delivered to users. Smart devices are important to provide user awareness. However, their use must be controlled and human perception should be considered to avoid information overload. In this paper, we present a dynamic mechanism to coordinate the distribution of noti- fication across smart devices. This personalized notification mechanism uses an inference engine and a set of rules to generate notification alternatives and select the “best” one. A continuous refinement approach is also used to improve notification delivery. Our system was evaluated and the baseline rules were established by 11 expert users. The main results show that in some scenarios, the notification mechanism selection converged quickly and results are promising. However, further work is required to provide not only personalized but integrated (i.e., more than one device at the time) notification management.Centro de Investigaciones en Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación/[]/CITIC/Costa RicaEscuela de Ciencias de la Computación e Informática/[]/ECCI/Costa RicaMinisterio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones de Costa Rica/[]/MICITT/Costa RicaConsejo Nacional para Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas/[]/CONICIT/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[834-B6-178]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ingeniería::Facultad de Ingeniería::Escuela de Ciencias de la Computación e Informátic

Project and Development of ErgoCoIn Version 2.0

Usability evaluation (UE) methods may have several purposes: identify and diagnose usability problems; evaluate the implementation, comparing the one under evaluation with other systems, and also perform acceptance test. These methods are usually expensive, time-consuming and complex. In this context, the ErgoCoIn 1.0 has being used as an accessible system that can be used by several people all over the world, even if they are not usability experts or evaluators. This paper aims to present a new version of this environment considering that its basic objective is to propose a higher quality for the questions. Additionally, a new presentation questionnaire window small enough to be used both in web browsers and mobile devices is proposed