People and Computers XIV — Usability or Else!: Proceedings of Hci 2000Currently we are at the beginnings of widespread wireless connectivity and ubiquitous computing. The Web is merging with a variety of technologies: cell phones, laptop computers, hand held organisers, information appliances, and GPS and other sensors. The capability for access anytime and anywhere is here. The increasing frequency of cell phone calls at inappropriate times testifies that people no longer can easily control access. Devices can determine where they are located and can make a range of information available to users as well as make users available to others or their devices. We have proposed a general technique that promises to assist in mediating access. It capitalises on advantages afforded by computation(Hollan & Stometta, 1992). We first described the negotiation technique in the context of problems involved in scheduling meetings and then showed that similar issues, which at first may seem unrelated but in fact have much in common, arise in other contexts. One such activity, gaining immediate access, is currently of growing importance because of expanding connectivity via wireless technology. Cell phones and related technologies make it possible to be constantly available for synchronous interaction. At times, this can be advantageous but the associated costs and benefits result in a complex tradeoff space for designers as well as users. |
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ACM Press activities allocation analysis application assessment audio audio feedback button Cognitive concept conceptual models context described design approaches Desperado device documentation effect end-users example experience eye tracker eye tracking factors feedback Figure fire fighters functions goal graphical haptic Human Human-Computer Interaction identified incident reporting information artefacts interactive system interface design Internet learners learning login matrix band mechanism menu metaphor method modality multimedia navigation Nokia Options organisation output paper participants Passfaces passwords presented product development Quicksort remote evaluation repertory grids representation screen sessions Soft Systems Methodology specific SST4SM structure systems model task task model techniques tool toolkit understanding usability capability usability engineering usability tests user interface user involvement user study user-centred design user's Venn diagram visual visualisation WebTV widgets