Tech Reports in Computer Science and Engineering

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Author: search.filters.author.Shneiderman, Ben

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    Improving Accessibility and Usability of Geo-referenced Statistical Data
    (2003-06-04) Zhao, Haixia; Plaisant, Catherine; Shneiderman, Ben
    Several technology breakthroughs are needed to achieve the goals of universal accessibility and usability. These goals are especially challenging in the case of geo-referenced statistical data that many U.S. government agencies supply. We present technical and user-interface design challenges in accommodating users with low-end technology (slow network connection and low-end machine) and users who are blind or vision-impaired. Our solutions are presented and future work is discussed. (UMIACS-TR-2003-37) (HCIL-2003-11)
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    New Approaches to Help Users Get Started with Visual Interfaces: Multi-Layered Interfaces and Integrated Initial Guidance
    (2003-06-04) Kang, Hyunmo; Plaisant, Catherine; Shneiderman, Ben
    We are investigating new ways to help users learn to use public access interactive tools, in particular for the visual exploration of government statistics. Our work led to a series of interfaces using multi-layered design and a new help method called Integrated Initial Guidance. Multi-layer designs structure an interface so that a simpler interface is available for users to get started and more complex features are accessed as users move through the more advanced layers. Integrated Initial Guidance provides help within the working interface, right at the start of the application. Using the metaphor of ^sticky notes^ overlaid on top of the functional interface locates the main widgets, demonstrates their manipulation, and explains the resulting actions using preset animation of the interface. Additional sticky notes lead to example tasks, also being executed step by step within the interface itself. Usability testing with 12 participants led to refined designs and guidelines for the design of Integrated Initial Guidance interfaces. (UMIACS-TR-2003-36) (HCIL-2003-10)
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    Data Exploration with Paired Hierarchical Visualizations: Initial Designs of PairTrees
    (2003-06-04) Kules, Bill; Shneiderman, Ben; Plaisant, Catherine
    Paired hierarchical visualizations (PairTrees) integrate treemaps, node-link diagrams, choropleth maps and other information visualization techniques to support exploration of hierarchical data sets at multiple levels of abstraction. This paper describes several novel applications of PairTrees in the econometric and health statistics domains, as well as some challenges and trade-offs inherent in the technique. (UMIACS-TR-2003-35) (HCIL-2003-09)
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    Designing a Metadata -Driven Visual Information Browser for Federal Statistics
    (2003-06-04) Kules, Bill; Shneiderman, Ben
    When looking for federal statistics, finding the right table, chart or report can be a daunting task for anyone not thoroughly familiar with the federal statistical system. Search tools help, but differing terminologies within the statistical agencies and a lack of familiarity of terms by information seekers limit their effectiveness. The FedStats Browser is a design for visually browsing federal agency statistical products and publications, using techniques that allow users to reformulate queries and iteratively refine results via simple, reversible actions with immediate feedback. This paper also discusses the characteristics of metadata needed for such a browser and the challenges inherent in acquiring that metadata. (UMIACS-TR-2003-34) (HCIL-2003-08)
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    Image-based highly interactive Web mapping for geo-referenced data publishing
    (2003-01-21) Zhao, Haixia; Shneiderman, Ben
    This paper describes an image-based technique that enables highly interactive Web choropleth maps for geo-referenced data publishing and visual exploration. Geographic knowledge is encoded into raster images and delivered to the client, instead of in vector formats. Differing from traditional raster-image-based approaches that are static and allow very little user interaction, it allows varieties of sub-second fine-grained interface controls such as dynamic query, dynamic classification, geographic object data identification, user setting adjusting, as well as turning on/off layers, panning and zooming, with no or minimum server support. Compared to Web GIS approaches that are based on vector geographic data, this technique has the features of short initial download time, near-constant performance scalability for larger numbers of geographic objects, and download-map-segment-only-when-necessary which potentially reduces the overall data transfer over the network. As a result, it accommodates general public users with slow modem network connections and low-end machines, as well as users with fast T-1 connections and fast machines. The client-side (browser) is implemented as light-weight Java applets. YMap, an easy-to-use, user-task-oriented highly interactive mapping tool prototype for visual geo-referenced data exploration is implemented using this technique. (UMIACS-TR-2003-02) (HCIL-TR-2002-26)
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    Social and Psychological Influences on Computer User Frustration
    (2003-01-21) Bessiere, Katie; Ceaparu, Irina; Lazar, Jonathan; Robinson, John; Shneiderman, Ben
    As computer usage has proliferated, so has user frustration. Even devoted and knowledgeable users encounter annoying delays, incomprehensible messages, incompatible files, and indecipherable menus. The frustration generated by these problems can be personally disturbing and socially disruptive. Psychological and social perspectives on frustration may clarify the relationships among variables such as personality types, cultural factors, goal attainment, workplace anger, and computer anxiety. These perspectives may also help designers, managers, and users understand the range of responses to frustration, which could lead to effective interventions such as redesign of software, improved training, better online help, user discipline, and even resetting of national research priorities. (UMIACS-TR-2002-90) (HCIL-TR-2002-19)
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    Understanding Computer User Frustration: Measuring and Modeling the Disruption from Poor Designs
    (2003-01-21) Bessiere, Katie; Ceaparu, Irina; Lazar, Jonathan; Robinson, John; Shneiderman, Ben
    User frustration in the use of information and computing technology is a pervasive and persistent problem. When computers crash, network congestion causes delays, and poor user interfaces trigger confusion there are dramatic consequences for individuals, organizations, and society. These frustrations not only cause personal dissatisfaction and loss of self-efficacy, but may disrupt workplaces, slow learning, and reduce participation in local and national communities. We propose a Computing Frustration Model with incident specific and individual variables to guide research. Our study of 108 computer users shows high levels of frustration and loss of 1/3 to 1/2 of time spent. The importance of the users' goals and the severity of the disruption were correlated with frustration. Those who had strong self-efficacy, indicated by a willingness to stick to solving the problem, reported lower levels of frustration. Implications for users, software developers, managers, and policymakers are discussed. Keywords: user frustration, user interface design, training, helpdesk, computer experience, computer anxiety (UMIACS-TR-2002-89) (HCIL-TR-2002-18)
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    An Augmented Visual Query Mechanism for Finding Patterns in Time Series Data
    (2002-09-18) Keogh, Eamonn; Hochheiser, Harry; Shneiderman, Ben
    Relatively few query tools exist for data exploration and pattern identification in time series data sets. In previous work we introduced Timeboxes. Timeboxes are rectangular, direct-manipulation queries for studying time-series datasets. We demonstrated how Timeboxes can be used to support interactive exploration via dynamic queries, along with overviews of query results and drag-and-drop support for query-by-example. In this paper, we extend our work by introducing Variable Time Timeboxes (VTT). VTTs are a natural generalization of Timeboxes, which permit the specification of queries that allow a degree of uncertainty in the time axis. We carefully motivate the need for these more expressive queries, and demonstrate the utility of our approach on several data sets. (Also UMIACS-TR-2002-78) (Also HCI-TR-2002-15)
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    Improving Web-based Civic Information Access: A Case Study of the 50 US States
    (2003-01-21) Ceaparu, Irina; Shneiderman, Ben
    An analysis of the home pages of all fifty U. S. states reveals great variety in key design features that influence efficacy. Some states had excessively large byte counts that would slow users connected by commonly-used 56K modems. Many web sites had low numbers of or poorly organized links that would make it hard for citizens to find what they were interested in. Features such as search boxes, privacy policies, online help, or contact information need to be added by several states. Our analysis concludes with ten recommendations and finds many further opportunities for individual states to improve their websites. However still greater benefits will come through collaboration among the states that would lead to consistency, appropriate tagging, and common tools. (UMIACS-TR-2002-52) (HCIL-TR-2002-12)
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    Determining Causes and Severity of End-User Frustration
    (2003-01-21) Ceaparu, Irina; Lazar, Jonathan; Bessiere, Katie; Robinson, John; Shneiderman, Ben
    While computers are beneficial to individuals and society, frequently, users encounter frustrating experiences when using computers. This study attempts to measure, through 111 subjects, the frequency, cause, and the level of severity of frustrating experiences. The data showed that frustrating experiences happen on a frequent basis. The applications in which the frustrating experiences happened most frequently were web browsing, e-mail, and word processing. The most-cited causes of the frustrating experiences were error messages, dropped network connections, long download times, and hard-to-find features. The time lost due to the frustrating experiences ranged from 30.5% of time spent on the computer to 45.9% of time spent on the computer. These disturbing results should be a basis for future study. (UMIACS-TR-2002-51) (HCIL-TR-2002-11)