Sunday, April 21

VUI with Personality
GUI, ZUI, VUI: The voice user interface is (imho) for sure not the next paradigm after the gui. But it is another approach, becoming more and more used in specific situations or applications (at General Magic, it is the Call Center). The personalized the voices: the magictalk personalities ...where might the "selfish and sarcastic" zach be used? And tomorrow, you might buy your bike based on a conversation with Jeeves, known since AskJeeves.
But: people want to be told that they are talking with a machine?!
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Sunday, April 14

Alternative Computer Input Devices
At this page you will find a very good documented and commented list of alternative Input devices.
Individuals may have limitations that interfere with the ability to access computers. Traditionally, a computer user accesses a computer with a standard point and click mouse and a QWERTY keyboard (named for the top left-hand side of the rows). Individuals with physical and/or developmental limitations may not be able to use these standard computer input devices effectively so may benefit from using alternatives. Standard keyboards are made for typists who use two hands and ten fingers; alternative input devices are made for computer users with a variety of limitations, including individuals with no hand or finger movement. Individuals with these limitations may benefit from alternative input devices if they have tremors or spasticity, lack of coordination, loss of vision, paralysis or numbness, and/or a decline in cognitive function.
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Thursday, April 11

Online User Manual | Mercedes Benz
This interactive user Manual gives a brief overview of your (?) car as well as a deep insight in the usage of it. A third section is about experience, but IMHO this isn¥t experience quality at all. Just big images and animations, nothing in comparison with the iamges and moods of a printed brochure or even a movie/commercial. Well, there are simulations - but who really wants to simulate the new radio?
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User Interface Analysis : White Paper
The development of this white paper ended in Feb 99, but is nevertheless useful!
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