Mark: New page: ==Cognitive Dimensions Framework== Analysis of our application using the cognitive dimension framework :'' The dimensions can be used to evaluate the usability...

2008-02-15T20:06:56Z

New page: ==Cognitive Dimensions Framework== Analysis of our application using the cognitive dimension framework :'' The dimensions can be used to evaluate the usability...

New page

==Cognitive Dimensions Framework==
Analysis of our application using the cognitive dimension framework

:'' The dimensions can be used to evaluate the usability of an existing interface, or as heuristics to guide the design of a new one.''
:''They provide a common vocabulary for discussing many factors in interface design.''

===Abstraction gradient===
:''What are the minimum and maximum levels of abstraction exposed by the notation? Can details be encapsulated?''

:*Mashup elements are a low level abstraction
::- they cannot be further broken up logically
:*WYSIWYG editor allows for low level abstractions

===Closeness of mapping===
:''How closely does the notation correspond to the problem world?''

:*WYSIWYG editor view simulates exactly what the mashup will look like
::- This is a high closeness of mapping
::- Form editing uses common Internet terms and should be known by novice users
:*Application looks like other Windows applications
::- Provides familiarity for users
::- Same icons as programs like MS Word
::- Mashup element icons use official icons for quick recognition

===Consistency===
:''After part of the notation has been learned, how much of the rest can be successfully guessed?''

:*Mashup elements all follow the same input structure
::- Once form input notation is learned, most can be guessed
::- FormattingData is a little more complicated and may be harder to guess

===Diffuseness===
:''How many symbols or how much space does the notation require to produce a certain result or express a meaning?''

:*One symbol (placeholder image) is needed to represent each mashup element
::- The sidebar provides another view (textural)
::- Both views are kept consistent

===Error-proneness===
:''Does the notation induce mistakes in the user?''

:*The user can edit the source code if they wish
::- Affects consistency
::- May break mashup
:*Certain combinations of mashup element and basic html functions (align etc) can create problems
::- Problem with code base not our part of the tool (FUTURE WORK)
:*Form creation/editing for mashup elements and form error checking eliminates most of the possible user errors

===Hard mental operations===
:''How much hard mental processing lies at the notational level, rather than at the semantic level?''
:''Are there places where the user needs to resort to fingers or penciled annotation to keep track of what is happening?''

:*There are no hard mental operations

===Hidden dependencies===
:''Are dependencies between entities in the notation visible or hidden? Is every dependency indicated in both directions? ''
:''Does a change in one area of the notation lead to unexpected side-effects?''

:*Editing an RSS feed will only update the RSS feed object
::- Any <strike>Google/Yahoo Maps</strike> or FormattedData using the RSS Feed will not update
:*RSS Feeds are not shown in the WYSIWYG editor view
::- User can accidentally delete the hidden tags for the RSS code (Not a big deal because code is only for show)

===Premature commitment===
:''Are there strong constraints on the order with which tasks must be accomplished?''
:''Are there decisions that must be made before all the necessary information is available? Can those decisions be reversed or corrected later?''

:*RSS feeds must be loaded before creating an object which will use it
::- Google/Yahoo maps can be made with no RSS and changed later
::- FormattedData needs an existing RSS feed

===Progressive evaluation===
:''How easy is it to evaluate and obtain feedback on an incomplete solution?''

:*HTML preview allows the user to see a rough estimate of the incomplete page
::- However to actually test the page the user will need to upload the document to their site
::- Google Maps/Yahoo Maps/YouTube only provide placeholders not actual result
::- RSS Feed data can be viewed in the source code for more advanced users

:*No dynamic viewing of document is available in our application
::- JavaScript is not supported

===Role-expressiveness===
:''How obvious is the role of each component of the notation in the solution as a whole?''

:*RSS Feeds purpose may be not obvious
::- The user may not know why you would want this
::- The user may not know what a feed is
::- The user may not know how to make one or obtain one from an external source

===Secondary notation===
:''Can the notation carry extra information by means not related to syntax, such as layout, colour, or other cues?''

:*No secondary notation allowed
::- HTML comments are not yet supported
::- More advanced users can manually add comments in the source code view
::- Layout/Colour are HTML syntax

===Viscosity===
:''Are there inherent barriers to change in the notation?''
:''How much effort is required to make a change?''

:*Mashup elements are easy to edit
::- Dialog boxes provided for editing

:*HTML preview allows the user to add new content at any position and delete any content

===Visibility===
:''How readily can required parts of the notation be identified, accessed and made visible?''

:*Google/Yahoo Maps do not show location markers for rss addresses
::- User must upload document and try manually to see result
::- More advanced users can view the address data embeded in the JavaScript using the source code view

:*YouTube videos cannot be previewed

:*RSS feed data cannot be viewed
::- Data is visible in source code view when combined with a Map - more advanced users only

:*Formatting RSS data does not show the resulting data
::- Results are temporarily printed to the console

:*Sidebar allows the user to quickly view mashup elements in use in the current document
::- User can quickly access the edit/delete options for any mashup element using this sidebar

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Mark: New page: ==Cognitive Dimensions Framework== Analysis of our application using the cognitive dimension framework :'' The dimensions can be used to evaluate the usability...