Human Computer Interaction 2nd Homework

1. Define what natural computing is

Natural computing - or natural computation - is the study of how people process and store information, manipulate symbols, ascribe personal values to events, attribute cultural and emotive judgements and so on.¹⁾

Natural computing can be devided into three main branches

1. Computing inspired by nature

This makes use of nature as inspiration for the development of problem solving techniques. The main idea of this branch is to develop computational tools (algorithms) by taking inspiration from nature for the solution of complex problems.

For example, there is the Neural Network(NN). It is from human brain cell and those connection.

In brain, there are so many cells to send the electric signals. Although it is very simple processing, it can memorize, have emotion and judgement, etc. Therefore scientists made the modeling like a brain.

For instance, using Neural Network and Error Back Propagation, it can make some functions. First time, it can't give the correct answer. However NN repeat the learning about the function, then It can give right answer.

These system or modeling is from human brain. Therefore it's a kind of natural computing.

2. The simulation and emulation of nature by means of computing

This is basically a synthetic process aimed at creating patterns, forms, behaviors, and organisms that (do not necessarily) resemble ‘life-as-we-know-it’. Its products can be used to mimic various natural phenomena, thus increasing our understanding of nature and insights about computer models

For instance, there is a Fractal geometry. Fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape.

This is a example of fractal geometry. It looks like a tree. But it made by simple recursive function. one line and two branches. Therefore it's a kind of natural computing.

3. Computing with natural materials

This corresponds to the use of natural materials to perform computation, thus constituting a true novel computing paradigm that comes to substitute or supplement the current silicon-based computers.

For example, there is a DNA computing. DNA computing is a form of computing which uses DNA, instead of the traditional silicon-based computer technologies.

DNA computing is suggested that it can be solved the graphical NP complete problem such as Hamiltonian path problem. It is similar to parallel computing. Therefore it's a kind of natural computing.

In the textbook, natural computing is what people do and what information and communication technologies do. Now It has been naturally inspired from NC to UCSD that is what users can do, not the system and how easily users use the system.

In summary, Natural computing provides a basis to begin to understand people and systems, and how people might use technology to good effect.

2. Explain the main principles of natural computing

What's natural computing?

Natural computing is a research and application area that draws from cognitive science, HCI, interaction design, sociology and anthropology.

What can users do?

We need to understand better the people who use the systems we design and build. It is important than what the technology can do.

Modelling users

Knowing about what can users do is understood the users. One way to understand the users is to develop better models. This is based upon the Simplex theory. It's concise, overall theory to guide good practive in system design and framework within which to capture current research findings.

Understanding the domain

We require to understand the domain in which we are working.

Understanding human learning

When users use the new system, they don't know about how to use it. So they learn the new system. Therefore We need to appreciate principles of human learning.

Meaning as a basis for practical action

Offer the vital links between theory and practice.

3. Explain the key concepts of user-centred system design(UCSD)

User model

User model is a modeling to suppose the users moving and a process of thinking dynamically in UCSD.⁸⁾

If you want to more powerful the user model, the more time, expertise and money must be invested in developing it. To conclude, there is a trade-off between the cost and the power of a user model.

When considering user models, we tend to think of the typical or average users.  That's why it is difficult to engineer for usability.⁹⁾  Therefore, we do not think of ourselves as typical of the user population.

Universal access

Universal access is the objective of making systems that are accessible anytime, anywhere and to anyone of the intended user population. It does not say on one design, but provides many pathways for many users.

For example, there are the application in Mac OS X. Name is Universal access.

It provides computing abilities to the blind, deaf, and handicapped people. It can Turn On/Off Screen Zooming, Inverse Colors, Enable Text-To-Speech, Flash the screen when an alert sound occurs, Sticky Keys, Slow Keys and Mouse Keys(If someone can't use the mouse, the keyboard is instead of mouse.). Accordingly, this program is a example of Universal access.

Design for all

It is similar to 'universal access', but also promotes the notion of careful design and design standards, so that users with special needs are included from the use of a system. It means a system should be designed to be as inclusive as possible.

I want to know differences between 'Universal access' and 'Design for all'. But I can't understand and find the information and examples. And there are many articles that is considered two things are same or other definition¹¹⁾(I think it becomes a confusion between useful and usable). Therefore I just know the definition in the textbook, but I can't choose which example is 'Universal access' or 'Design for all'.

Inclusive design

It can be quantitative. It means it can be measured. Designers can calculate the numbers of users who are excluded by specific design features.

Therefore it brings together both user and commercial perspectives. For example, designers are aware of both the costs of excluding potential customers and the costs associated with meeting their requirements.

Task models

It is the output of a task analysis. It is identify the key features of the task. Therefore if you are to understand the actual requirements of the intended users, you need to observe it in the real world, not online systems and don't copy other systems.

Technological platform

This relates to a model of the intended technological platform. In the earlier days of system design, technological considerations were supreme. But these days, technological options a less restrictive.

4. Explain what interactive design is

User-centred system design is an interactive and iterative process.

There are main stages are Task analysis, Requirements specification, Prototyping, Evaluation. And Other six major steps in interative design. Design research, Research analysis and concept generation, Alternative design and evaluation, Prototyping and usability testing, Implementation, System testing.¹²⁾

It is important that the design process is not one time. Initial good ideas are revised in the light of experience and evaluation. Therefore the design process iterates many times.

A truly interative system design supports the intended users in achieving their objectives. So a number of interative features must be provided.

● Choices of sub-function

If users want to format the text differently, ?글 provides a window to change the text format.

● Choices of the ways in which to carry out functions

If users prefer to use commands to make a mathematical expression, ?글 provides a sub-window to use it.

● Alternative ways of working as users become more adept at using the systems

If users want to cancel the order, they can click the menu -> 편집 -> 되돌리기 or press the shoutcut Ctrl + Z in ?글.

● Effective help functions

If users want to know something about the program, they easily find the help section to type the word.

● Customization and adaptation to meet user preferences

Reference

Serengul Smith-Atakan, <Human-Computer Interaction>, THOMSON, 2006, pp.14~26

김희철, <인간과 컴퓨터의 상호작용:인컴학을 향하여>, SciTech, 2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_computation

모리카와 유키히토, 박혜수 역, <성냥갑으로 재미있고 쉽게 배우는 인공지능 이야기>, 이지북, 2000, pp. 86

이지형 교수님, 인공지능과 인간사회 교재 강의안, 7NN.ppt

이지형 교수님, 인공지능과 인간사회 교재 강의안, 4recursion.ppt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_computing

http://my.dreamwiz.com/elfinee/html/research_computing.htm

http://enc.daum.net/dic100/terms_trans.do?m=search&chset=euckr&query=user%20model

HCI 1st report #2 - http://nosyu.pe.kr/1693

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Access

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_computation

6) http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=dna-computer-puts-microbe

7) http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v403/n6766/fig_tab/403143a0_F1.html

8) http://enc.daum.net/dic100/terms_trans.do?m=search&chset=euckr&query=user%20model

9) HCI 1st report #2 - http://nosyu.pe.kr/1693

10) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Access

11) http://www.udrc.or.kr/01_02_01.html

12) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction_design

012.pdf

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