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as the central item and peripherally the connected locations. |
as the central item and peripherally the connected locations. |
124 |
Several of the new technologies in fenfire are related to user interfaces, |
Several of the new technologies in fenfire are related to user interfaces, |
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in particular to showing the context visibly yet nonintrusively. |
in particular to showing the context visibly yet nonintrusively. |
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Some of the ideas aiming to maintain continuity in the Fenfire user |
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interface (such as focus-context) have already been proved to be efficient by |
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earlier researchers. Several ideas presented in this research |
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plan are, however, genuinely |
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new and thus need to be subjected to rigorous experimenting and testing. |
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Permanent data and peer-to-peer (P2P) information sharing |
Permanent data and peer-to-peer (P2P) information sharing |
133 |
Collaboration with even only |
Collaboration with even only |
332 |
Fillets |
Fillets |
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''''''' |
''''''' |
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TJL |
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Fillets[lukka02fillets] for graph rendering were invented |
One of the basic principles of the Fenfire user interface is continuity. |
337 |
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Continuity helps the user to perceive the interface as cognitively |
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coherent - things are related to each other, not disconnected. This |
339 |
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reduces load in the user's working memory. |
340 |
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Fillets [lukka02fillets]_ for graph rendering were invented |
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in the Fenfire project at the time when we were |
in the Fenfire project at the time when we were |
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still working with Ted Nelson's ZigZag structure. |
still working with Ted Nelson's ZigZag structure. |
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Originally the term filleting |
345 |
Filleting, or rounding corners of surfaces, is |
is used in mechanical engineering |
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used in mechanical engineering to improve |
to denote |
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or rounding corners of surfaces |
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in order to improve |
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the properties of cast objects. |
the properties of cast objects. |
350 |
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Our use of the filleting for connections in graph-like diagrams |
Our use of the filleting for connections in graph-like diagrams |
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is motivated by the Gestalt principle of good |
is motivated by the Gestalt principle of good |
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continuation. Smoothly changing contours enable more efficient perceptual |
continuation. Smoothly changing contours enable more efficient perceptual |
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grouping of visual elements, in this case, |
grouping of visual elements, in this case, |
355 |
grouping of the node and the connection. |
grouping of the node and the connection. |
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Especially in situations where the graph layout is constrained, |
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In situations where the graph layout is constrained, |
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e.g.~Focus+Context views or views where the coordinates of the nodes |
e.g.~Focus+Context views or views where the coordinates of the nodes |
358 |
are informative, fillets can clarify the relationships considerably without |
are informative, fillets can clarify the relationships considerably without |
359 |
altering the layout. |
altering the layout. |
360 |
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Fillets are already in use in the Fenfire project, but our earlier |
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research [lukka02fillets]_ has only scratched the surface; the idea has |
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opened several new possible directions for basic research. |
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There are several possible extensions of the basic idea: for example, using |
365 |
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some texturing to express the stretching of the filleted connection |
366 |
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to the user, or lighting and shadows |
367 |
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to provide a sense 3D shape of the smooth surface. |
368 |
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369 |
One of the basic principles of the Fenfire user interface is continuity. |
We plan to test the usability of the ideas first in basic cognitive tasks |
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Continuity helps the user to perceive the interface as cognitively |
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coherent - things are related to each other, not disconnected. This |
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reduces load in the user's working memory. |
|
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|
|
|
Some of the ideas aiming to maintain continuity in the Fenfire user |
|
|
interface (such as focus-context) have been proved to be efficient by |
|
|
earlier researchers. Several ideas presented here are, however, genuinely |
|
|
new and thus need to be subjected to rigor experimenting and testing. We |
|
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plan to test the usability of the ideas first in basic cognitive tasks |
|
370 |
before implementing and testing them in a larger context. |
before implementing and testing them in a larger context. |
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|
371 |
The first-phase experiments include tasks varying from very simple |
The first-phase experiments include tasks varying from very simple |
372 |
perceptual tasks (such as visual search and recognition) to more complex |
perceptual tasks (such as visual search and recognition) to more complex |
373 |
problem-solving tasks. The experiments will be conducted with about ten |
problem-solving tasks. The experiments will be conducted with about ten |
384 |
phase, fillets will be tested in a more realistic situation requiring the |
phase, fillets will be tested in a more realistic situation requiring the |
385 |
user to trace visual connections between information items. |
user to trace visual connections between information items. |
386 |
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Textured backgrounds implement continuity by providing unique, permanent |
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visual context for interface elements to facilitate search and recognition |
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of the elements in prolonged use. Textures will be tested to show that the |
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user can implicitly memorize textures during interaction with the |
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interface elements and use this information to recognize the elements |
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faster and more accurately. We will also conduct readibility tests on |
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textures to show that a textured background of text does not necessarily |
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impair either the legibility or the readability of the text. |
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Finally, we will carry usability tests on a simulated interface, in which |
Finally, we will carry usability tests on a simulated interface, in which |
388 |
several ideas are implemented simultaneously. The users will be observed |
several ideas are implemented simultaneously. The users will be observed |
389 |
in realistic use situations. Behavioral data will be gathered in verbal |
in realistic use situations. Behavioral data will be gathered in verbal |
390 |
protocols, videotaping, and surveys. |
protocols, videotaping, and surveys. |
391 |
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Our earlier reseach has shown that filleting significantly |
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improves the perceivability of certain graph layouts. |
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We plan to obtain experimental justification and |
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to formulate principles of filleting |
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in more general layouts including curved connections |
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and smooth animation. |
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Generalizing filleting to three dimensions ... |
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- quantitative experimental results from general graphs layout |
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Goals??? |
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392 |
Buoys |
Buoys |
393 |
''''' |
''''' |
394 |
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