Judith R. Brown

Human-centered computing, online communities, and virtual environments

This report summarizes results of the first EC/NSF joint Advanced Research Workshop, which identified key research challenges and opportunities in information technology. The group agreed that the first joint research workshop should concentrate on the themes of human-centered computing and VEs. Human-centered computing is perceived as an area of strategic importance because of the move towards greater decentralization and decomposition in the location and provision of computation. The area of VEs is one where increased collaboration should speed progress in solving some of the more intractable problems in building effective applications.

Computer Graphics and Visualization in the Global Information Infrastructure

he global information infrastructure (Glii) T launched by Vice President A1 Gore sparked the public imagination and caused a burst of activity in R&D and commercial implementation of relevant technologies. Although involved with visualizing scientific data and generating realistic graphics, the computer graphics and visualization communities have not, in general, moved into the challenging world of information technology and the GII. We feel strongly that the GI1 must use the abilities and developments these communities have to offer to successfully reach people from all walks of life. The original impetus for this special report came from a suggestion by Tom Kalil (Director to the National Nahiuin Gershon Mitre Corporation

Programming the user interface: principles and examples

Principles of User Input. Programming Menus. Programming Command-Based Systems. Programming Data Input. Giving Information Back to the User. Screen Techniques. Using Color in Output. Direct Manipulation Systems and Special Environments. Windows and User Interface Management Systems. Helping the User Work with the Program. Programming Help Systems. Handling and Avoiding Errors. Special Concerns: Making Programs Usable by Persons with Disabilities. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

Human-centered computing, online communities and virtual environments

This report summarizes results of the first EC/NSF joint Advanced Research Workshop, which identified key research challenges and opportunities in information technology.

Is an MVE the right environment for your visualization application

Data visualization sofi.,ware provides essential capabilities for gaining insight and understanding, for collaborations with colleagues, and for presenting this information to others. The Modular Visualization Environment (MVE) software featured in this issue provides tools for production work, where only the data changes between runs. It also allows the user to experiment with a set of data, by adding new modules to the visualization and seeing if the results look better or provide new information. The Advanced Research Computing Services (ARCS) provides a campus-wide resource for researchers at The University of Iowa. Because of the broad variety of application areas and types of research da~, a Variety of hardware and software tools are necessary. The HVE is the visualization tool of choice for some, but not all, applications. The following examples from University of Iowa researchers illustrate the need for:

Enabling educational collaboration — a new shared reality

Abstract Educational collaborations enabled by enhanced computer graphics, high-performance networks, and virtual reality technologies enable new and exciting educational opportunities. As these virtual reality tools and interactive technologies find their way naturally from the research lab to the classroom, students distantly located from each other can learn together in a “shared reality”.

Images for Insight: From the Research Lab to the Classroom

VISUALIZATION FOR EDUCATION cuts across disciplines and across educational levels with many exciting possibilities emerging. In this paper, I express the importance of bringing research visualization tools into classrooms and academic labs. To support points, I use illustrations from The University of Iowa resources and activities and from national curricula innovations sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH (Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Graphics). Also presented is an overview of the state of the art in computer graphics for education based on presentations and working groups at an international Computer Graphics and Education conference in Begur, Spain. This overview is organized in terms of current and exciting classroom activities; technically possible, but not prevalent, classroom activities; and the future classroom.

The visualization lab: Crossroads between research and education

Abstract This paper describes how the visualization lab for advanced research computing at The University of Iowa began and developed over the past 3 years. As accomplishments from research develop new tools and gain funding, these tools and funds contribute to education in the classrooms and departmental educational labs, as well as the next research efforts. The enhanced education furthers new research, and the cycle continues. Research and education come together in the visualization lab, with the common goals of learning and disseminating information. New insights are gained, materials for publications and presentations are developed, and both educational and research needs are facilitated.