[Gzz-commits] journals/plans SA_2003.rst

[Tuomas J. Lukka]

CVSROOT:        /cvsroot/fenfire
Module name:    journals
Changes by:     Tuomas J. Lukka <address@hidden>        03/05/14 08:02:25

Modified files:
        plans          : SA_2003.rst 

Log message:
        fillets

CVSWeb URLs:
http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/fenfire/journals/plans/SA_2003.rst.diff?tr1=1.134&tr2=1.135&r1=text&r2=text

Patches:
Index: journals/plans/SA_2003.rst
diff -u journals/plans/SA_2003.rst:1.134 journals/plans/SA_2003.rst:1.135
--- journals/plans/SA_2003.rst:1.134    Wed May 14 07:44:38 2003
+++ journals/plans/SA_2003.rst  Wed May 14 08:02:25 2003
@@ -123,6 +123,11 @@
     as the central item and peripherally the connected locations.
     Several of the new technologies in fenfire are related to user interfaces, 
     in particular to showing the context visibly yet nonintrusively.
+    Some of the ideas aiming to maintain continuity in the Fenfire user
+    interface (such as focus-context) have already been proved to be efficient 
by
+    earlier researchers. Several ideas presented in this research 
+    plan are, however, genuinely
+    new and thus need to be subjected to rigorous experimenting and testing. 
 
 Permanent data and peer-to-peer (P2P) information sharing 
     Collaboration with even only 
@@ -327,39 +332,42 @@
 Fillets
 '''''''
 
-TJL
 
-Fillets[lukka02fillets] for graph rendering were invented 
+One of the basic principles of the Fenfire user interface is continuity.
+Continuity helps the user to perceive the interface as cognitively
+coherent - things are related to each other, not disconnected. This
+reduces load in the user's working memory.
+
+Fillets [lukka02fillets]_ for graph rendering were invented 
 in the Fenfire project at the time when we were
 still working with Ted Nelson's ZigZag structure. 
-
-Filleting, or rounding corners of surfaces, is 
-used in mechanical engineering to improve 
+Originally the term filleting
+is used in mechanical engineering 
+to denote 
+or rounding corners of surfaces
+in order to improve 
 the properties of cast objects. 
+
 Our use of the filleting for connections in graph-like diagrams
 is motivated by the Gestalt principle of good
 continuation. Smoothly changing contours enable more efficient perceptual
 grouping of visual elements, in this case,
 grouping of the node and the connection.
-
-In situations where the graph layout is constrained,
+Especially in situations where the graph layout is constrained,
 e.g.~Focus+Context views or views where the coordinates of the nodes
 are informative, fillets can clarify the relationships considerably without
 altering the layout.
 
+Fillets are already in use in the Fenfire project, but our earlier
+research [lukka02fillets]_ has only scratched the surface; the idea has
+opened several new possible directions for basic research.
+There are several possible extensions of the basic idea: for example, using
+some texturing to express the stretching of the filleted connection 
+to the user, or lighting and shadows
+to provide a sense 3D shape of the smooth surface.
 
-One of the basic principles of the Fenfire user interface is continuity.
-Continuity helps the user to perceive the interface as cognitively
-coherent - things are related to each other, not disconnected. This
-reduces load in the user's working memory.
- 
-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
-plan to test the usability of the ideas first in basic cognitive tasks
+We plan to test the usability of the ideas first in basic cognitive tasks
 before implementing and testing them in a larger context.
- 
 The first-phase experiments include tasks varying from very simple
 perceptual tasks (such as visual search and recognition) to more complex
 problem-solving tasks. The experiments will be conducted with about ten
@@ -376,33 +384,10 @@
 phase, fillets will be tested in a more realistic situation requiring the
 user to trace visual connections between information items.
 
-Textured backgrounds implement continuity by providing unique, permanent
-visual context for interface elements to facilitate search and recognition
-of the elements in prolonged use. Textures will be tested to show that the
-user can implicitly memorize textures during interaction with the
-interface elements and use this information to recognize the elements
-faster and more accurately. We will also conduct readibility tests on
-textures to show that a textured background of text does not necessarily
-impair either the legibility or the readability of the text.
-
 Finally, we will carry usability tests on a simulated interface, in which
 several ideas are implemented simultaneously. The users will be observed
 in realistic use situations. Behavioral data will be gathered in verbal
 protocols, videotaping, and surveys.
-
-
-Our earlier reseach has shown that filleting significantly
-improves the perceivability of certain graph layouts. 
-We plan to obtain experimental justification and 
-to formulate principles of filleting 
-in more general layouts including curved connections 
-and smooth animation. 
-Generalizing filleting to three dimensions ...
-
-    - quantitative experimental results from general graphs layout
-
-Goals???
-
 
 Buoys
 '''''