%0 Thesis %1 duez03a %A Duez, Pierre P. %D 2003 %K 2106 interface hci complexity design ecological %T Testing the Generalizability of Ecological Interface Design to Computer Network Monitoring %X The purpose of this thesis was to examine the generalizability of Ecological Interface Design (EID) to a new work domain. Computer networks provide a source of complexity unique among domains studied from the perspective of EID: because of the ability of network operators to add and remove devices, and change configurations, the work domain itself is much more fluid than those previously studied. A prototype interface was created to test the validity of Rasmussen’s Abstraction Hierarchy in determining information requirements that would assist users in monitoring a network to detect and diagnose faults. A pilot experiment was conducted to test the interface in an experimental setting; this was followed by a more complete experiment, the results of which – faster detection times, improved rate of detection under higher loads, and improved quality of diagnosis (with greater consistency under higher loads) – indicate that the EID framework is applicable to this new domain.

@mastersthesis{duez03a, abstract = {The purpose of this thesis was to examine the generalizability of Ecological Interface Design (EID) to a new work domain. Computer networks provide a source of complexity unique among domains studied from the perspective of EID: because of the ability of network operators to add and remove devices, and change configurations, the work domain itself is much more fluid than those previously studied. A prototype interface was created to test the validity of Rasmussen’s Abstraction Hierarchy in determining information requirements that would assist users in monitoring a network to detect and diagnose faults. A pilot experiment was conducted to test the interface in an experimental setting; this was followed by a more complete experiment, the results of which – faster detection times, improved rate of detection under higher loads, and improved quality of diagnosis (with greater consistency under higher loads) – indicate that the EID framework is applicable to this new domain.}, added-at = {2006-09-09T19:26:51.000+0200}, author = {Duez, Pierre P.}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2b406753c0b0f7d9c35c47e7cc044c1b9/neilernst}, citeulike-article-id = {266136}, comment = {- "Instead of a single (static) AH describing the entire domain, a more modular view was taken of the work domain. In this context, the concept of modularity refers to the ability to add many different types of device (both to the network and, correspondingly, to the interface) as long as they follow prescribed guidelines in terms of the type of information they contain. Ideally, one would be able to add devices regardless of their function or whether or not they were anticipated at design-time, as long as they follow set rules or standards concerning their interactions within the interface – thereby paralleling the modularity that can be found when dealing with the network itself. Each component, or device, is represented by its own AH “template”; the lowest levels of this template (Physical Form, Physical Function) can be entirely unique to the device in question. Higher levels of the template refer to the device’s connections within the network; in this case, the representation within the interface would be a function of the interactions between this device and those with which it is immediately connected. (Traditionally, this would correspond to the “subsystem” level of part-whole decomposition, where the functioning of a group of devices is considered, rather than the devices themselves.) The top level of abstraction is still the functional purpose of the work domain, and therefore not directly or uniquely associated with any given device." p 20 --- - interesting start on the dynamics aspect of AH in this domain, but peters out after a few paragraphs into a straightforward study of two interfaces. I think a better job should be done on convincing people that there is a difference between P and P+F (and that EID is the way to build a better interface, and not merely something any good designer would understand).}, description = {sdasda}, howpublished = {Unpublished}, interhash = {290b01fd9173edd84983dfb3f4b37d1a}, intrahash = {b406753c0b0f7d9c35c47e7cc044c1b9}, keywords = {2106 interface hci complexity design ecological}, priority = {0}, school = {University of Toronto, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering}, timestamp = {2006-09-09T19:26:51.000+0200}, title = {Testing the Generalizability of Ecological Interface Design to Computer Network Monitoring}, year = 2003 }