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The End of Zero-Hit Queries: Query Previews for NASA's Global Change. Stephan Greene. Egemen Tanin. Catherine Plaisant. Ben Schneiderman. Lola Olsen. Gene Major. Steve Johns. December 1997.
The Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL) of the University of Maryland and NASA have collaborated over the last three years to refine and apply user interface research concepts developed at HCIL in order to improve the usability of NASA data services. The research focused on dynamic query user interfaces, visualization, and overview +preview designs. An operational prototype, using query previews, was implemented with NASA's Global Change Master Directory (GCMD), a directory service for earth science data sets. Users can see the histogram of the data distribution over several attributes and choose among attribute values. A result bar shows the cardinality of the result set, thereby preventing users from submitting queries that would have zero hits. Our experience confirmed the importance of metadata accuracy and completeness. The query preview interfaces make visible problems or holes in the metadata that are unnoticeable with classic form fill-in interfaces. This could be seen as a problem, but we think that it will have a long-term beneficial effect on the quality of the metadata as data providers will be compelled to produce more complete and accurate metadata. The adaptation of the research prototype to the NASA data required revised data structures and algorithms. (Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-97-84) University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland,
An Information Architecture to Support the Visualization of Personal. Catherine Plaisant. Ben Schneiderman. December 1997.
Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-97-87 University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland,
A Taxonomy of Multiple Window Coordinations. Chris North. Ben Schneiderman. December 1997.
Handwritten codexes or printed books transformed society by allowing users to preserve and transmit information. Today, leather-bound volumes and illuminated manuscripts are giving way to animated image maps and hot links. Vannevar Bush's memex has inspired the World Wide Web, which provides users with vast information resources and convenient communications. In looking to the future, we might again transform society by building genexes -- generators of excellence. Such inspirational environments would empower personal and collaborative creativity by enabling users to: collect information from an existing domain of knowledge, create innovations using advanced tools, consult with peers or mentors in the field, and then disseminate the results widely. This paper describes how a framework for an integrated set of software tools might support this four-phase model of creativity in science, medicine, the arts, and beyond. Current initiatives are positive and encouraging, but they do not work in an integrated fashion, often miss vital components, and are frequently poorly designed. A well-conceived and clearly-stated framework could guide design efforts, coordinate planning, and speed development. (Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-97-83) University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland Institute for Systems Research, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland,
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