In this first assignment you will evaluate an existing information space visualization. The visualization might be on the WWW as a set of graphical image maps, or it might be part of some other system with which you are familiar. The important thing is for the visualization to be one which you can actually use, as opposed to being described in a paper which you read. See the "web pointers" page in the course material for some places to start. You will also need to go surfing to find a visualization which interests you. When you find a new visualization, please be sure to post information about it to the class newsgroup so others can see it as well. It is OK for the same visualization to be studied by several people.
First, describe the essential elements of the visualization. What literal or metaphorical images are used? (Include a screen shot if at all possible). What types of visual codings are used to distinguish between different types of information?
Analyze the metaphor used. Identify if, and where, the metaphor breaks, and explain why. Can the metaphor be enhanced or changed to avoid this problem without creating other problems? Is the metaphor adequate to begin with? Is it realized well? Believable? Helpful? Does it help one learn and understand the structure of the information space, or is it misleading?
Discuss tasks that the user might performwith the underlying information space, and how well the literal or metaphorical images support these tasks. What type of user is the site designed for? Is the visualization adequate for that user population? Develop a set of tasks which the user might wish to perform. How well does the visualization support these tasks? Use the task lists we develop in class, drawing as well from Jakob Nielsen's list of features in Netscape 1.1 and his discussion of features for future browsers.
How well does the visualization scale for larger information spaces?
Be creative and broad in the criteria you use. Write your discussion as a short paper whose length is on the order of 2500 words (as a guideline, so workaholics know when to quit) and use screenshots to underline the problems / highlights you find. Submit your work as a URL to Dr. Dieberger by the April 12 class meeting. We will than create a class page with the URLs of all your critiques.
The first assignment is due on April 12.
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last modified on 5/2/96
Andreas Dieberger