Improving computer interaction for older people - studying mouse clicks

Interactions using a standard computer mouse can be particularly difficult for novice and older adult users. Tasks that involve positioning the mouse over a target and double-clicking to initiate some action can be a real challenge for many users. Hence, this paper describes a study that investigates the double-click interactions of older and younger adults and presents data that can help inform the development of methods of assistance. Twelve older adults (mean age = 63.9 years) and 12 younger adults (mean age = 20.8 years) performed click and double-click target selections with a computer mouse. Initial results show that older users make approximately twice as many errors as younger users when attempting double-clicks. For both age groups, the largest proportion of errors was due to difficulties with keeping the cursor steady between button presses. Compared with younger adults, older adults experienced more difficulties with performing two button presses within a required time interval. Understanding these interactions better is a step towards improving accessibility, and may provide some suggestions for future directions of research in this area.

From activity to active learning: drawing and dialogue interaction in virtual learning environments for computer-supported collaborative work in design.

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) would appear to be particular effective in computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) for active learning. Most research studies looking at computer-supported collaborative design have focused on either synchronous or asynchronous modes of communication, but near-synchronous working has received relatively little attention. Yet it could be argued that near-synchronous communication encourages creative, rhetorical and critical exchanges of ideas, building on each other’s contributions. Furthermore, although many researchers have carried out studies on collaborative design protocol, argumentation and constructive interaction, little is known about the interaction between drawing and dialogue in near-synchronous collaborative design. The paper reports the first stage of an investigation into the requirements for the design and development of interactive systems to support the learning of collaborative design activities. The aim of the study is to understand the collaborative design processes while sketching in a shared white board and audio conferencing media. Empirical data on design processes have been obtained from observation of seven sessions with groups of design students solving an interior space-planning problem of a lounge-diner in a virtual learning environment, Lyceum, an in-house software developed by the Open University to support its students in collaborative learning.

Towards natural human computer interaction in BCI

BCI systems require correct classification of signals interpreted from the brain for useful operation. To this end this paper investigates a method proposed in [1] to correctly classify a series of images presented to a group of subjects in [2]. We show that it is possible to use the proposed methods to correctly recognise the original stimuli presented to a subject from analysis of their EEG. Additionally we use a verification set to show that the trained classification method can be applied to a different set of data. We go on to investigate the issue of invariance in EEG signals. That is, the brain representation of similar stimuli is recognisable across different subjects. Finally we consider the usefulness of the methods investigated towards an improved BCI system and discuss how it could potentially lead to great improvements in the ease of use for the end user by offering an alternative, more intuitive control based mode of operation.

The future of human-machine interaction: implant technology

In this paper a look is taken at how the use of implant and electrode technology can be employed to create biological brains for robots, to enable human enhancement and to diminish the effects of certain neural illnesses. In all cases the end result is to increase the range of abilities of the recipients. An indication is given of a number of areas in which such technology has already had a profound effect, a key element being the need for a clear interface linking a biological brain directly with computer technology. The emphasis is placed on practical scientific studies that have been and are being undertaken and reported on. The area of focus is the use of electrode technology, where either a connection is made directly with the cerebral cortex and/or nervous system or where implants into the human body are involved. The paper also considers robots that have biological brains in which human neurons can be employed as the sole thinking machine for a real world robot body.

'You show me yours, I'll show you mine': the negotiation of shifts from textual to visual modes in computer-mediated interaction among gay men

This article explores the way users of an online gay chat room negotiate the exchange of photographs and the conduct of video conferencing sessions and how this negotiation changes the way participants manage their interactions and claim and impute social identities. Different modes of communication provide users with different resources for the control of information, affecting not just what users are able to reveal, but also what they are able to conceal. Thus, the shift from a purely textual mode for interacting to one involving visual images fundamentally changes the kinds of identities and relationships available to users. At the same time, the strategies users employ to negotiate these shifts of mode can alter the resources available in different modes. The kinds of social actions made possible through different modes, it is argued, are not just a matter of the modes themselves but also of how modes are introduced into the ongoing flow of interaction.

6-man chess and zugzwangs

With 6-man Chess essentially solved, the available 6-man Endgame Tables (EGTs) have been scanned for zugzwang positions where, unusually, having the move is a disadvantage. Review statistics together with some highlights and positions are provided here: the complete information is available on the ICGA website. An outcome of the review is the observation that the definition of zugzwang should be revisited, if only because the presence of en passant capture moves gives rise to three new, asymmetric types of zugzwang.

6-man chess solved

Eugene Nalimov has completed the computation of a set of endgame tables for 6-man chess, and independently, Marc Bourzutschky has completed tables for 3-3 chess and for 4-2 chess where Black is not just ‘KP’. The ICGA salutes both achievements and looks ahead.

Chess endgames: 6-man data and strategy

While Nalimov’s endgame tables for Western Chess are the most used today, their Depth-to-Mate metric is not the most efficient or effective in use. The authors have developed and used new programs to create tables to alternative metrics and recommend better strategies for endgame play.

Ken Thompson's 6-man Tables

Ken Thompson recently communicated some results mined from his set of 64 6-man endgame tables. These list some positions of interest, namely, mutual zugzwangs and those of maximum depth. The results have been analysed by the authors and found to be identical or compatible with the available or published findings of Karrer, Nalimov, Stiller and Wirth.

3-5-man chess: Maximals and mzugs

This article reports the combined results of several initiatives in creating and surveying complete suites of endgame tables (EGTs) to the Depth to Mate (DTM) and Depth to Conversion (DTC) metrics. Data on percentage results, maximals and mutual zugzwangs, mzugs, has been filed and made available on the web, as have the DTM EGTs.

3-5-Man chess data

This reports the work of Karrer and Wirth in identifying percentage results and, respectively, the Depth to Mate (DTM) and Depth to Conversion (DTC) data in all 2-5-man chess endgames.

3-5-man mutual zugzwangs in chess

This note reports the work of Wirth and Karrer in twin-sourcing all mutual zugzwang positions, mzugs, in 2-5-man endgames. This paper tabulates the mzug statistical data, gives examples of maximal mzugs and refers to a chess endgame website where further data is to be found.

Calculation of converged rovibrational energies and partition function for methane using vibrational-rotational configuration interaction

The rovibration partition function of CH4 was calculated in the temperature range of 100-1000 K using well-converged energy levels that were calculated by vibrational-rotational configuration interaction using the Watson Hamiltonian for total angular momenta J=0-50 and the MULTIMODE computer program. The configuration state functions are products of ground-state occupied and virtual modals obtained using the vibrational self-consistent field method. The Gilbert and Jordan potential energy surface was used for the calculations. The resulting partition function was used to test the harmonic oscillator approximation and the separable-rotation approximation. The harmonic oscillator, rigid-rotator approximation is in error by a factor of 2.3 at 300 K, but we also propose a separable-rotation approximation that is accurate within 2% from 100 to 1000 K. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Drug interaction and location in liposomes: correlation with polar surface areas

An important step in liposome characterization is to determine the location of a drug within the liposome. This work thus investigated the interaction of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes with drugs of varied water solubility, polar surface area (PSA) and partition coefficient using high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. Lipophilic estradiol (ES) interacted strongest with the acyl chains of the lipid membrane, followed by the somewhat polar 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Strongly hydrophilic mannitol (MAN) showed no evidence of interaction but water soluble polymers inulin (IN) and an antisense oligonucleotide (OLG), which have very high PSAs, interacted with the lipid head groups. Accordingly, the drugs could be classified as: hydrophilic ones situated in the aqueous core and which may interact with the head groups; those located at the water-bilayer interface with some degree of penetration into the lipid bilayer; those lipophilic drugs constrained within the bilayer. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Object life cycles & interaction environments for cross media production & distribution

This paper addresses the requirements for a Work/flow Management System that is intended to automate the production and distribution chain for cross-media content which is by nature multi-partner and multi-site. It advocates the requirements for an ontology-based object lifecycle tracking within work/flow integration by identifying various types of interfaces, object life cycles and the work-flow interaction environments within the AXMEDIS Framework.