Bonus Paper #1: iSlideshow: a Content-Aware Slideshow System

Reference

iSlideshow: a Content-Aware Slideshow System

Jiajian Chen, Jun Xiao Gao

IUI 2010 - Hong Kong

Summary

A software tool for viewing slideshows in a content aware manner is detailed throughout this paper. The software has two major modes. One mode focuses on grouping similar photos into theme clusters and then displaying them together. The other mode uses facial recognition to focus on a particular individual. Artifacts like the time the picture was taken is also considered. A method for seamless tiling of images is also described. Transitions make use of the facial recognition feature for an added effect. A pilot user study indicated high marks in experience, fun, and acceptance in comparison to other slideshow systems.

Analysis

This was a simple implementation project that really isn't much more than combining a few existing technologies into a nice ascetically pleasing package. With that said, I think it was probably a very fun project to work on and very satisfying. As a person interested in video, animation, and anything related I always enjoy seeing the more creative work like this come to life. This project has a few contributions in terms of OpenGL use for transitions but that's about it. A very nice implementation.

Paper Reading #25 - Finding Your Way in a Multi-dimensional Semantic Space with Luminoso

Comments

Shena Hoffman

Aaron Kirkes

Reference

Finding Your Way in a Multi-dimensional Semantic Space with Luminoso

Robert Speer, Catherine Havasi, Nichole Treadway, Henry Lieberman

IUI 2010 - Hong Kong

Summary

This paper focuses on an interface designed to aide researchers in visualizing a semantic space. A strong focus is placed on recognizing links between semantic data as well as identifying patterns in the data. The process relies on two earlier developed tools which create the semantic nodes of interest. A set of documents is input, with the option to mark certain documents as more important than others. Relationships are then determined between documents by comparing natural language patterns. A projection of the multidimensional data into 2D screen space is then performed -- yielding a circular like representation. The paper focuses on the action of “grabbing” which allows a user to select a particular semantic aspect and change the projections to gain more insight into connections.

Analysis

While this paper didn’t quite sell me on the “grabbing” feature (which it over emphasized), I think the overall interface and tools presented here would be quite useful when looking at large datasets. It would be interesting to take data from a user’s web browsing history and run it through this process. It would be particularly interesting to see what kind of links are derived by the algorithms as far as thoughts sparking other thoughts--- I think we might see some neat connections we wouldn’t otherwise think of. Overall this is an interesting tool and I’d be interested in experimenting with it.

Living With Complexity: Full Blog

Reference

Living With Complexity

Donald Norman

Basic Books - 2010

Summary

This book focuses on the idea that complexity is naturally present in the world and in the devices we design. Attention to coping with these complexities in design is given. Norman explains that some amount of complexity is enjoyable. As an example, many people seek out complex concepts and attempt to master them for the sake of enjoyment. In design it is common for people to desire simplicity but also want increased features and functionality. This leads to the need for a careful balance from the designer. Overall the goal must be understandability over complexity or simplicity. Norman continues to discuss the way we embed information and cues into the world. He implies that designs should focus on including cues for their use and purpose. Forcing functions are an effective way of constraining user actions and shaping user direction. People often look to their environment for cues or signifiers. Culture can complicate the interpretation of these cues, but good design provides signifiers which are for the most part universally identifiable.

Discussion

While this book was an interesting discussion of the battle between simplicity and functionality within design, it was mostly a repeat of other Norman concepts. Though some of his viewpoints seem to have changed between this book and Design of Everyday Things, for the most part the views are the same. The book makes good points about understandability being the focus of design rather than simplicity or feature inclusion. Despite this recognition, I felt few examples of how to accomplish this were given. The idea that simplicity is not good is interesting, and I'm not sure if I agree completely, but I do recognize understandability as most important.

Living With Complexity: Microblogs

Chapter One

Summary

Basic ideas of complexity within the world are explored. The difference between complexity and being complicated is explained. Complex things may be able to be mastered over time and could even be enjoyable. On the other hand complicated items can be confusing and difficult to use

Discussion

Yes, complexity exists in the world. From this first chapter it is not clear where this argument is heading. There is both support for complexity and simplicity.

Chapter Two

Summary

Individuals are largely responsible for the creation of either complex or simplistic models of understanding. Norman argues that people create their own conceptual models and choose either simple or complex at this stage. There are further arguments for the complexity of even simple items. Norman settles on middle ground -- focusing on understandability regardless of complexity.

Discussion

I appreciate the focus that is given to establishing a balance between simplicity and features. Too often, I find that products are overly simplified or overly complicated -- it is definitely a place where the perfect balance must be found. Example: iPhone too simple, Android too complex.

Chapter Three

Summary

Norman explores the fact that simple everyday items are often complex in nature of understanding. As an example he complains about having to maintain multiple passwords. This leads to the storage of the passwords within the physical world, which leads to the defeat of the purpose of passwords. Forcing functions are explored as a manner for constraining understanding of information.

Discussion

This felt like a return the Design of Everyday Things and its involved discussions of Norman's dislike of everyday items which are complex. Good points about using forcing functions to help shape user behavior are made here though.

Chapter Four

Summary

This chapter focuses on indicators which can be embedded into design to provide individuals who are using the device with direction. Signifiers, which seem much like affordances, are said to be perceived affordances. A discussion of the differences of culture on signifiers is presented

Discussion

This chapter makes good points about people looking for social cues within their environment and from other people. It is evident that design should include affordances which act as signifiers for the user to understand how to best use the device.

Media Equation: Full Blog

Reference

Machines and Mindlessness: Social Responses To Computers

Cliff Nass, Youngme Moon

Journal of Social Issues - 2000

Can Computer Personalities Be Human Personalities?

Cliff Nass, Youngme Moon, BJ Fogg, Byron Reeves, Christ Dryer

CHI 1995

Computers are Social Actors

Cliff Nass, Jonathan Steuer, Ellen Tauber

CHI 1994

Summary

Together these papers summarized the work of Cliff Nass, Byron Reeves and Youngme Moon in extending the social actor role to computers. The papers establish the Media Equation which simply states that Media is equivalent to real life. This theory enables treating computers as a social actor when studying interactions with users. The papers go to significant lengths to describe and counter alternative theories for the behaviors of humans observed in experiments supporting the idea of the Media Equation. The papers also identify the minimum set of attributes required to gain social attribution to a machine.

Discussion

The Media Equation is of high interest to me, as the research group I work in is attempting to extend the equation to human-robot interactions. Because of this, I have had to chance to be on a team with Dr. Cliff Nass and directly hear his ideas and previous experiences. To this point, it seems apparent in our research that the Media Equation does apply to robotics and it is highly noticeable anytime we bring robots to interact with the general public.

Why We Make Mistakes: Full Blog

Reference

Why We Make Mistakes

Joseph Hallinan

Crown Archetype 2009

Summary

In this book the error prone nature of humans is explored in detail through various studies and observations. The book is structured in a way which brings attention to varying areas of error and mistake making. Each chapter focuses on a different area, as a overall picture evolves. Mistakes are easily made by humans, as we are not perfectly configured for the world we live in. Characteristics like imaginative memory and association through emotion are brought into the light as the author focuses on many of the day to day issues which humans experience. For example, people often make up details related to memories which boost their own image. The author continues to look at issues related to framing or anchoring and the trouble which can be caused by incorrectly framing a situation. Additionally, an exploration of multitasking and skimming is performed. This reveals that humans have great trouble multitasking and often don't pay attention to all of the details of things they are experienced with. Behavior between men and women is also different and therefore leads to different mistakes being made. Additionally, the way a person was raised can influence the types of mistakes they are prone to. There is also a tendency to inaccurately predict the future as being good. The author provides suggestions for correcting these mistakes throughout.

Discussion

This book provided quite a collection of studies and activities that have illustrated the human tendency to make mistakes. There seemed to be a heavy focus on citing behavior of people as the most compelling evidence for our condition. Many of the examples were of things I have noticed before and it was nice to see someone else recognize them. Applying this information to Computer Science is interesting in that there are many diverse and specific lessons to be learned from each chapter and each example. I feel overall the common theme is that there will be errors regardless of the system and we should be ready for them.

Paper Reading #24 - Using Language Complexity to Measure Cognitive Load for Adaptive Interaction Design

Comments

Jaideep

Joe

Reference

Using Language Complexity to Measure Cognitive Load for Adaptive Interaction Design

M. Asif Khawaja, Fang Chen, Nadine Marcus

IUI 2010 - Hong Kong

Summary

This paper attempts to discover some correlation between language complexity and cognitive load. The long term focus is that when speech technology is a able, a system could detect a user’s cognitive load through their words. The paper inspected transcribed speech data from bushfire response teams during both high and low cognitive load experiences. The paper hypothesized that increased cognitive load would lead to lower complexity in vocabulary. Additionally the paper hypothesizes that easy tasks will result in short simple sentences opposed to more difficult tasks which will have longer sentences. As predicted increased cognitive load led to lower complexity in vocabulary. However, there was an increasing trend in complex word ratio showed a increase with cognitive load.

Analysis

This work was interesting, as it is evident in everyday life that humans alter their speaking patterns and word choices depending on the situation. I would have enjoyed seeing a study focused on pauses, tone, and volume of speech -- as these are attributes which supply quite a bit of information and that could be somewhat measurable in realtime with current technology. Also interesting would be the study of cultural differences in patterns associated with cognitive load. This work is very motivating of future studies and areas of study.