Gary Burnett

Ubiquitous computing within cars

Increasingly, computing and communications-based technologies are being implemented within cars. There is a need for fundamental research and development to ensure that the control interfaces for future cars require minimal visual demands. The needs, abilities and preferences of drivers (in particular older drivers) are clearly a prime focus, as part of a user-centred design approach. In addition, it is argued that much can be learnt from the experience and strategies adopted by people who are blind or have low vision (a non-user group). The paper sets out a number of research questions regarding the inclusion of such people in the design process of future automobiles.

Information Exchange in Virtual Communities: A Comparative Study

Burnetts (2000) typology of information exchange in virtual communities attempts to provide a framework for examining the range of activities undertaken by participants in such communities. This study is the first in a series to apply the typology to specific virtual communities, in an effort to assess its accuracy against the day-to-day interactions to be found in two online communities. Through a comparison of these two communities using the typology, revisions to the typology are proposed which will allow it to reflect more accurately activities found within the communities. By providing a metric through which to address such questions, the revised typology will allow a richer understanding of virtual communities as social information environments.

'TURN RIGHT AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS': THE REQUIREMENT FOR LANDMARKS IN VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

This paper argues for the use of landmarks (e.g. traffic lights, churches, petrol stations) within the turn-by-turn visual and voice directions given by in-vehicle navigation systems. Such prominent features of the driving environment are consistent with basic human navigational strategies, are valued by drivers, and have been shown significantly to improve the usability of electronic in-car navigational aids. For future systems actively to include such information, it is critical that a) only ‘good’ landmarks are used, b) such landmarks are presented to the driver in the most appropriate way, and c) the practical needs of industry are fully accounted for.

Beyond the FAQ: Explicit and implicit norms in Usenet newsgroups

Drawing on reference group and socialization theories, this article examines the social norms of online communities. These theories are modified through an examination of the history of Usenet and a review of the scholarly literature related to social norms and normative behavior in Usenet newsgroups and other virtual communities. The article proposes a modification of Mertons paradigmatic division of norms into behavioral and attitudinal norms by dividing social norms found in online interactions into two types: explicit norms and implicit norms. Explicit norms are codified in documents such as FAQs that outline the purpose and rules of a group, whereas implicit norms are those norms that emerge informally through day-to-day interactions of the group. Both categories of norms are examined in two specific newsgroups.

Evaluating the human-machine interface to vehicle navigation systems as an example of ubiquitous computing

In-vehicle navigation systems are an example of ubiquitous computing, where the computing facility is embedded in an everyday object (car) for an everyday task (driving). The maturing navigation systems market of the last 10 years has prompted academic and commercial research into the human?machine interface (HMI) for these systems. A significant body of research now exists in this specialized area and a contribution has been made towards guidelines for interface design. This paper presents an overview of evaluation methods used to date (in terms of context of use, techniques, measures and evaluators) and the pros and cons of the different approaches. It ends with a discussion of how the resulting knowledge can assist in the evaluation of other ubiquitous technologies.

Information Access and Exchange among Small Worlds in a Democratic Society: The Role of Policy in Shaping Information Behavior in the Post-9/11 United States.

Every democratic society relies on deliberation and dialogue between social groups with varying perspectives to provide for the representation of the diverse members of the society. Meaningful deliberation is based on open access to information by individuals and free exchange of information between different social groups. Policy developments in the United States since September 2001, however, have altered the roles of information in many social contexts, with impacts on information access and information exchange between social groups. These changes have the potential to be of great consequence to social and political uses of information in society. Libraries, as established guardians of diverse perspectives of information, are in a unique position to protect and preserve information access and exchange in this new policy environment.

ON-THE-MOVE DESTINATION ENTRY FOR VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS: UNSAFE BY ANY MEANS?

This paper outlines the arguments (and supporting evidence) both for and against allowing drivers to enter a destination with a vehicle navigation system while active in the primary driving task (‘on-the-move’). The benefits and limitations of various safety-related interventions are discussed, including the use of warnings/instructions, safeguards and design improvements. Whilst it is clear that the visual, manual and cognitive demands associated with entering destinations using current vehicle navigation systems can be high, it is concluded that inhibiting the use of this functionality whilst on-the-move, particularly through the use of reactionary legislation, will not be the ideal solution. Rather, human factors research must investigate the potential for novel user-interfaces, develop reliable and valid methods for assessing the safety impact of different designs, and consider the wider issues of system use and behavioural adaptation.

Composition of scientific teams and publication productivity at a national science lab

The production of scientific knowledge has evolved from a process of inquiry largely based on the activities of individual scientists to one grounded in the collaborative efforts of specialized research teams. This shift brings to light a new question: how the composition of scientific teams affects their production of knowledge. This study employs data from 1,415 experiments conducted at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) between 2005 and 2008 to identify and select a sample of 89 teams and examine whether team diversity and network characteristics affect productivity. The study examines how the diversity of science teams along several variables affects overall team productivity. Results indicate several diversity measures associated with network position and team productivity. Teams with mixed institutional associations were more central to the overall network compared with teams that primarily comprised NHMFLs own scientists. Team cohesion was positively related to productivity. The study indicates that high productivity in teams is associated with high disciplinary diversity and low seniority diversity of team membership. Finally, an increase in the share of senior members negatively affects productivity, and teams with members in central structural positions perform better than other teams.

An extended keystroke level model (KLM) for predicting the visual demand of in-vehicle information systems

To assess the potential distraction of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS), simple, low cost evaluation methods are required for use in early design stages. The occlusion technique evaluates IVIS tasks in interrupted vision conditions, aiming to predict likely visual demand. However, the technique necessitates performance-focused user trials utilising robust prototypes, and consequently has limitations as an economic evaluation method. HCI practitioners view the Keystroke Level Model (KLM) as a reliable and valid means of modelling human performance, not requiring empirical trials or working prototypes. This paper proposes an extended KLM, which aims to predict measures based on the occlusion protocol. To validate the new method, we compared results of an occlusion study with predictions based on the assumptions of the extended KLM. Analysis revealed significant correlations between observed and predicted results (R=0.93-0.98) and low error rates (7-13%). In conclusion, the extended KLM shows considerable merit as a first-pass design tool.

Learning-oriented vehicle navigation systems: a preliminary investigation in a driving simulator

Vehicle navigation systems aim to reduce the mental workload for drivers by automating elements of the driving task. Concern has been raised, however, that their long-term use may cause unforeseen problems, including suppressing cognitive map development. A driving simulator study was conducted to discover if this effect could be ameliorated by the use of a novel, learning-oriented, navigation system. The user-interface of this system provided a range of additional features including landmarks, compass bearings and previously driven routes within the visual and auditory guidance instructions. It was found that the users of the learning-oriented system displayed better memory for driven routes, when compared with those using a basic guidance system. It is also suggested that they had developed a better cognitive map of the area. Glance analysis demonstrated that the learning-oriented system was no more visually demanding than the basic system.