Designing hypermedia applications

One of the advantages of following a MDA-based approach in the development of interactive applications is the possibility of generating multiple platform-specific user interfaces (UI) from the same platform independent UI model. However, the effort required to create the UI model may be significant. In the case of data-intensive applications, a large part of the UI structure and functionality is closely related with the structure and functionality of the domain entities described in the domain model, and the access rules specified in the use case model. This paper presents an approach to reduce the effort required to create platform independent UI models for data intensive applications, by automatically generating an initial UI model from domain and use case models. For that purpose, UML-aligned metamodels for domain and use case models are defined, together with a MOF-based metamodel for user interface models. The transformation rules that drive the UI model generation are introduced. It is also proposed a MDA-based process for the development of data intensive interactive applications based on the proposed model architecture and transformations.

"Application-platform co-design" refers to the phenomenon of new platforms being created in response to changing application needs, followed by application design and development changing due to the emergence (and the specifics, limitations) of the new platforms, therefore creating, again, new application and platform requirements. This continuous process of application and platform (re-)design describes an engineering and management responsibility to constantly evaluate any given platform for application fit and platform-specific application design, and to consider a new or evolutionary platform development project due to evolving and changing application needs. In this paper, we study this phenomenon in the context of serverless computing and (big) data processing needs, and thus, for application-platform co-design for serverless data processing (SDP). We present an analysis of the state-of-the-art of function-as-a-service (FaaS) platforms, which reveals several configuration, deployment, execution, and measurement differences between popular platforms happening at-speed. These differences indicate already ongoing platform (re-)design processes resulting in more specialized serverless platforms and new, platform-specific challenges for application design. We discuss data processing needs of applications using the serverless model and present common initial (and undesirable) workaround solutions on the application level, giving additional argument to the creation of new SDP platforms. We present critical SDP requirements and possible new platform augmentations, but identify the need for engineering methods and tooling to better guide application-platform co-design. We argue to pay appropriate attention to the phenomenon of continuous application-platform co-design to better anticipate and to control future platform and application developments.

The acceptance of UML as a de facto standard for the design of object-oriented systems, together with the explosive growth of the World Wide Web has raised the need for UML extensions to model hypermedia applications running on the Internet. In this paper we propose such an extension for modeling the navigation and the user interfaces of hypermedia systems. Similar to other design methods for hypermedia systems we view the design of hypermedia systems as consisting of three models: the conceptual, navigational and presentational model. The conceptual model consists of a class diagram identifying the objects of the problem domain and their relations. The navigational model describes the navigation structure of the hypermedia application by a class diagram specifying which navigational nodes are defined and an object diagram showing how these navigational nodes are visited. Finally, the presentational model describes the abstract user interface by composite objects and its dynamic behavior by state diagrams. Each model is built using the notations provided by the UML, applying the extension mechanism of the UML, i.e. stereotypes and OCL constraints, when necessary.

Cooperative analysis and design is often considered only to be applicable in settings where a system is being developed solely for the ’user‘ participants in the process. This paper, however, argues that there are quite good prospects in applying cooperative analysis and design techniques in specific use settings to inform development of general CSCW products. We describe and discuss the application of cooperative – i.e., participatory – analysis and design techniques in a project developing a general cooperative hypermedia framework as well as specific hypermedia applications to support sharing of materials in the engineering domain. In our project, a single engineering company (Great Belt Link Ltd.) was chosen as the user organization. The paper summarizes the process from observational studies, over a future workshop and cooperative prototyping activities, to a pilot installation. We describe how these activities informed the general hypermedia framework and application design. Use scenarios and prototypes with example data from the users‘ daily work were used as sources both to trigger design ideas and new insights regarding work practice. Common participants in specific activities and general development activities supported transfer of work domain knowledge into general features of the product being developed. Mutual challenging characterized the interaction between specific cooperative analysis and design activities and general development activities. Prototypes, scenarios, materials from the work practice, and concise bullet list summaries were used as mediating artifacts in this interaction rather than comprehensive requirement and design specifications.

The potential of VR as a basis for developing dedicated applications for Cultural Education is explored through the design and development of a VR application called Celestial Breeze. Celestial Breeze is a dedicated application that aims to provide knowledge about the culture of different European countries. The design of the application is based on multimedia learning theories in an attempt to maximize the learning outcomes of the users. Emphasis is given in examining the effectiveness of Celestial Breeze as a tool of information dissemination in relation to the age and gender of the audience. We evaluated the application through a user study with 20 participants - half of whom were under aged- but all belong to Generation Y. The comparison of pre- and post- test results pinpoints the positive learning outcomes of Celestial Breeze on participants indicating in that way the potential of using immersive applications for cultural education.

Due to problems in correctly understanding user requirements the Information System (IS) development community have recognised the need to involve end-users in the development and maintenance of web applications. End-users perceive web applications through user interfaces (UIs) and commonly use sketches of UIs to express their requirements. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an end-user development methodology centred on UI modelling techniques. In this paper a visual modelling approach is presented to empower end-users in developing data intensive web applications starting from user interface descriptions. The modelling language follows a holistic approach by representing both static and behavioural information of a web application in one visual model. The visual model allows the specification of the look-and-feel of the application through mock-ups, and the user interactions through links, annotations, and widget references. End-users are guided during the modelling process by providing a summary view to manage the design of complex applications and a data model view to improve the quality of the generated applications.

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a design framework that permits the developer to build complex applications from smaller modules called services. When applying SOA to web applications, developers face several challenges. Among others, the heterogeneous user interfaces provided by these services must be adapted to fit into the larger application.This paper discusses approaches to automated adaptation of web application's layout and design. We review the range of web-based user interface modifications, suggest a technique that allows us the automated execution of the described steps and finally explore transparent integration of the modified user interfaces into a given web page flow (using a proxy server). Our approach relies on the proposed meta-language UDLD, which permits application providers to equip their user interfaces with semantic information about included components.

This study investigates the application of User-Centered Design (UCD) principles in the design UI/UX for the mobile tourism application, 'Wisata Lombok.' The research aims to demonstrate how UCD can significantly improve user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) in context-specific applications. The methodology employed a multi-phase approach, including user research, persona development, iterative design. Data was collected through interviews with local and tourists, online surveys with Lombok residents, and on-site observations. This information guided the creation of user personas and informed the application's feature set and design decisions. Key findings reveal that incorporating local cultural elements into the UI design enhanced user engagement. The implementation of features like maps and cultural event calendars. Usability testing was carried out using an online questionnaire using the UEQ method. The UEQ contains 26 questions which structured in the form of a semantic differential, where each word consists of two terms expressing opposite meanings. The form was distributed to 35 respondents. All of the 35 respondents, 16 identified as male and 19 as female. The age distribution indicates that 29 respondents are within the 18-35 years old range, while 6 respondents are within the 35-56 years old. The UEQ result shows that the perspicuity and efficiency scale has the highest values, 2.29 and 1.96, falling within the “Excellent” range, indicating that the respondents didn't find any difficulties in operating the user interface. The attractiveness, dependability, and novelty scale fall within the “above average” value, indicating that the user interface was based on respondent needs. The stimulation scale has the least value 0.44 which fall within “bad” value , which means that the respondents was bored cause the user interface only has a few features.

Modern dedicated image processing workstations and even general purpose computers offer enhanced user interface capabilities. Hardware management of the user interface allows a fast, easy, and powerful dialogue between man and machine. The application design must take into account these new possibilities in order to make optimal use of the hardware. Physicians are special users in that they need to customize their working environment to carry out specific tasks. Specific medical applications in the area of 3-D display and multimodality imaging need to accommodate a sequential organization of the physician's tasks, access to the various tools (image processing features, 3-D display, environment configuration, etc. ...) and the powerful dedicated workstations the physician may require. This paper sets out a number of general rules applicable to user interface design and defines the specific features of medical imaging brought into play in the definition of the environment we have developed for medical imaging user interface design. Examples in 2-D and 3-D display mode are presented.

Service robots have been applied in an increasing number of scenarios, including homes, hospitals, offices, schools, hotels, etc. To ensure the usability of the interaction interface and process in the application of service robots, the design of human-robot interaction in the application of service robots involves various interaction modalities, different robot forms, and different physical behaviors of robots in space, etc. This makes it challenging to have low-cost, high-fidelity prototype methods that support design exploration in the early stages of service robot application design.Currently, many rapid prototyping techniques have been applied to the design exploration stage in the design of service robot applications, such as paper prototypes, storyboards, video prototypes, etc. However, these methods have limitations, including low fidelity and being out of the environmental context. Researchers have also been exploring new prototype methods to meet the design exploration and testing requirements for HRI design. Some studies have explored the use of VR test HRI prototypes, and most of them focus on the technical aspect, and the performance of HRI capabilities. Other studies focus on specific HRI design aspects: interactive mechanism, anthropomorphic appearance, social acceptance, and so on. Approaches focusing on these aspects are not suitable for prototyping and testing the overall interaction scenarios of service robot applications.Based on the characteristics of virtual reality technology, this paper aims to explore how virtual reality technology can be used to support multi-user collaborative design of service robot applications in a virtual environment. To address this issue, this paper proposes a system for supporting collaborative design of service robot applications. The system framework and implementation will be described in detail in the paper. Specifically, the system enables multiple users (designers or stakeholders) to enter a virtual environment in real-time using head-mounted VR devices. Users can select appropriate environment model assets based on the target application scenario and perform bodystorming "on site". Using a modular robot building tool, users can add virtual robots to the space and add or delete functional components, as well as adjust the position, size, and orientation of the components. The system's Wizard-of-OZ module allows users to control the robot's movement and component status. The Graphic UI is embedded into the physical display of the robot via WebView and supports the simulation of the Graphic UI interaction process. After completing the initial application concept ideation and virtual robot design, users can use WoZ and Role-Playing techniques to perform the human-robot interaction process to evaluate and optimize the interaction design. In addition, the recorded video of the performance can also support subsequent design discussions.The system is implemented using the Unity game engine, and users interact with the system using the Oculus Quest headsets and controllers. The design activities case based on the system will be evaluated and discussed to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Further, we discuss the limitations of this work and the future research directions for supporting the design of service robot applications using virtual reality.

Brazil is a developing country in the midst of major social, economic, technological, cultural, and educational change. In the areas of technology and education, the transfer of information and knowledge, with the support of hypermedia applications, Internet, and distance learning have been a major concern of public and private entities, especially in regards to agriculture and animal production. In a country with approximately 195 million inhabitants and 8.5 million square kilometers, where the rural sector accounts for 25% of gross domestic product, 30.3% of exports, and 37% of jobs1, the use of information and communication technologies in education and inclusion is fundamental to promoting developmental strategies and citizenship. In this study, we sought to describe the process of modeling, development and dissemination of hypermedia applications for the Brazilian rural sector, taking as a case unit, the “Digital Citizen” Internet portal. A qualitative research, with exploratory-descriptive goals, and a case study based on documentary and observation is presented. In the current research and beyond, the practices related to modeling, development, and dissemination of hypermedia applications via distance learning (Moodle® and Flash®), as well as investigations and discussions involving government processes and practices related to digital inclusion and social development of rural citizen Brazil are specified. We conclude that Brazil is tackling the challenge of digital and social inclusion, based on a project whose main components included (a) deploying an infrastructure for telephone and broadband across the rural areas, (b) offering free internet in public schools and rural communities, (c) promoting projects and companies that work with hypermedia applications, and (d) supporting initiatives that involve the development and provision of services at a distance. The rural citizen has been able to maintain his residence in their midst with quality of life.

In This Issue

ABSTRACTAimTo establish the suitability of self‐determination theory as a theoretical framework to inform research and design of digital applications for nurses' well‐being.Design and MethodThis discursive paper describes the background and core premises of self‐determination theory and explains its relevance as a theoretical framework to support research and the design of digital applications to promote nurses' well‐being.FindingsIncreasing numbers of digital applications are being used by nurses, but few are supported by clearly explicated theoretical frameworks. Self‐determination theory focuses on how people's innate psychological needs interact and are influenced by the social environments where they live and work. Given the influence the social environment can have on well‐being, self‐determination theory is well suited as a theoretical framework to inform research and design of digital applications promoting nurses' well‐being.ConclusionsStress and burnout impact nurses worldwide, to the detriment of staff well‐being, their retention in health services, and provision of patient care. The rapid development and ubiquitous use of digital applications by nurses make researching their effectiveness vitally important if nurses' well being is to be supported. Self‐determination theory provides a theoretical framework useful for these applications.Implications for the ProfessionThrough the lens of self‐determination theory, researchers, digital application designers, and organisations can garner further insights to support digital application development and implementation for the well‐being of nurses.ImpactThis paper has international relevance and can assist researchers, application designers, and organisations interested in promoting nurses' well‐being through understanding the applicability and usefulness of self‐determination theory as a theoretical framework for the design of digital applications for nurses' well‐being.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution.

The ubiquity of web applications and the user possession and utilization of multiple devices are major factors for the increased demand for multi-screen applications. Multi-screen applications impose challenges on the application developer and designer especially if existing single-screen applications have to be transformed to the multiscreen environment. Designers should plan the user interface distribution and should adapt the layout for various devices. Developers should re-organize the application logic and associate it to the distributed user interface. They should preserve the application functionality and finally they need to adapt it to the underlying multiscreen platform. In this work, we propose an end-to-end refactoring system. The system allows the re-use of existing single-screen applications to automatically create multi-screen applications. The components of the multi-screen applications have their layout adapted to small and large device and they are ready to operate synchronously to provide a complementary usage experience. Our system is quantitatively evaluated on different sets of applications containing at least one video element and interactive content. The content division of our system corresponds to a ground truth division with an average recall of 0.84. In addition, our layout refactoring approach obtains 60% accuracy on the tested applications. In addition, we evaluate the performance of the run-time behavior of one application and we compute the delays that are caused by our system and by the network in a real physical environment: with a total delay of 5 ms, our solution is realistic.

The WWW has turned into a development and run-time environment for large-scale and complex applications. Such sophisticated applications are being deployed in increasing numbers without having been developed according to appropriate methodologies, tools and quality standards. The reason is not only that the hypermedia industry resists to utilize formal methods, but also that these methods and corresponding tools are very few and of dubious standards. The consequence is that the hypermedia applications being developed are of poor functionality and lack qualities such as modifiability, usability and maintainability. Especially the design phase is one of the phases that lack sufficient support from methods and CASE tools. This paper presents CRITON, a cross platform tool, built to support a hypermedia design method within an integrated environment. CRITON manages all three aspects of hypermedia design: conceptual design, navigational design and graphical user interface design, utilizing well-established theories and practices from software as well as hypermedia engineering. It employs these designs to generate a preliminary, exemplary form of the hypermedia application for the purpose of assessing the designs before the implementation phase.