As a value and end result of the user-centered design (UCD) process, user experience (UX) is constantly evolving alongside of the users with which it is concerned. Faculty, staff, and other professionals in higher education attempt to meet the academic, economic, and ability needs of students by conducting usability testing and other user…

The Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education ("ascilite") has recently completed research to inform development of the ALTC Exchange, a new online service for learning and teaching in Australia. The research investigated resource identification and contribution, engagement with the repository and user…

This survey of the research into user interface design and its impact on the development of hypermedia users' mental models discusses various design issues including the functionality of the system, system purpose, differences in user background, and system usability. (Author/AEF)

Presents an overview of the ways in which user/system interaction in interactive information-retrieval (IR) systems has been treated in IR research and practice over the years. Describes the characteristics of a number of IR systems, as well as proposals for IR systems, in light of challenges set for by John Bennett in 1971. Contains 82…

Suggests that the money spent ($100 billion) to fix the Y2K bug in the United States resulted in improved campus computer systems. Reports from campuses around the country indicate that both mainframe and desktop systems experienced fewer problems than expected. (DB)

Explores the systemological approach of dialogism as a new way of couching the problem of person-machine dialog in human-computer interaction. Concludes that a human-computer interaction community reflecting upon the future of interface will gain bona fide self-awareness from conceptualizing the machine as a component of society, rather than a…

Presents a guide for selecting an optional disc system. Highlights include storage hierarchy; standards; data life cycles; security; implementing an optical jukebox system; optimizing the system; performance; quality and reliability; software; cost of online versus near-line; and growing opportunities. Sidebars provide additional information on…

Examines Web site assessment criteria that producers of public information may use to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web site. The goal of this study was to design analytical tools from system-based techniques and user feedback with which federal Web site administrators can assess the quality of their Web sites. (Author/AEF)

Three user interfaces to LIBIS, a library catalog accessible through the Internet, were evaluated for use by people who are motor impaired to identify how interface design influences the motor actions necessary to operate the system. Problems and recommendations related to simplicity, consistency, instinctiveness, interaction/feedback, and…

Describes The Gateway, a computerized library system for undergraduate students that integrates access to multiple sources of information and provides embedded training on their use. A discussion of the general interface design principles is followed by the results of a preliminary evaluative study. Numerous sample screens illustrate the text. (13…