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The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and quality of on-line friendships, to find which individual characteristics differentiate people who look for and form on-line friendship(s) from those who don't, and to discover factors which are of importance for the development of on-line friendship(s). 574 Internet users completed an on-line questionnaire. The results showed that: (1) almost 50% of respondents had on-line friendship(s); (2) off-line friendships were better developed than on-line friendships. However, there was only a minor difference between the quality of the best off-line and best on-line friendships; (3) the Internet was a safe place for building personal relationships, especially for shy individuals; (4) people who felt lonely were more likely to turn to the Internet to find friends; (5) Internet usage and attitudes to the Internet were significant factors that differentiated those who looked for and formed friendship(s) on-line from those who didn't. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and quality of on-line friendships, to find which individual characteristics differentiate people who look for and form on-line friendship(s) from those who don't, and to discover factors which are of importance for the development of on-line friendship(s). 574 Internet users completed an on-line questionnaire. The results showed that: (1) almost 50% of respondents had on-line friendship(s); (2) off-line friendships were better developed than on-line friendships. However, there was only a minor difference between the quality of the best off-line and best on-line friendships; (3) the Internet was a safe place for building personal relationships, especially for shy individuals; (4) people who felt lonely were more likely to turn to the Internet to find friends; (5) Internet usage and attitudes to the Internet were significant factors that differentiated those who looked for and formed friendship(s) on-line from those who didn't. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

E-commerce has increased substantially, as e-retailers engage with consumers online. Users require more than products and quality service; they also expect a good user experience. User experience is affected by branding, functionality, navigation, content, aesthetics and usability. This study investigates the attainment of better user experience on e-commerce websites. A dual-method usability evaluation approach – usability testing with end-users and heuristic evaluation by experts – was employed to obtain a holistic picture of how usability aspects support or hinder the user experience. Usability testing provided insights into detailed interface issues and the type of content and journey that users prefer when making a purchasing decision, while heuristic evaluation was mainly directed at overall user interface and interaction factors. In a complementary way, each method identified a high number of usability problems. Key findings are summarized, and design guidelines are identified that can facilitate the development of e-commerce websites to promote user experience. / E-handel het aansienlik toegeneem, soos e-kleinhandelaars by verbruikers aanlyn betrokke raak. Gebruikers verlang meer as produkte en kwaliteit diens; hulle verwag ook 'n goeie gebruikerservaring. Gebruikerservaring word deur ‘branding’, funksies, navigasie, inhoud, estetika en bruikbaarheid beinvloed. Hierdie studie ondersoek die bereiking van beter gebruikerservaring op e-handel webwerwe. 'n Dubbelemetode bruikbaarheidsevaluering benadering – bruikbaarheidstoetsing met eindgebruikers en heuristiese evaluering deur kundiges – is gebruik om ‘n holistiese beeld te verkry van hoe bruikbaarheidsaspekte gebruikerservaring ondersteun of verhinder. Bruikbaarheidstoetsing lewer insigte in gedetailleerde koppelvlak kwessies en die tipe inhoud en roete wat gebruikers verkies wanneer hulle 'n aankoop maak, terwyl heuristiese evaluering hoofsaaklik gerig is op algehele gebruikerskoppelvlak en interaksie faktore. Op 'n komplementêre manier, het elke metode' n groot aantal bruikbaarheidsprobleme geïdentifiseer. Belangrike bevindings word saamgevat, en ontwerp riglyne is voorgestel wat die ontwikkeling van e-handel webwerwe fasiliteer wat gebruikerservaring bevorder. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)

E-commerce has increased substantially, as e-retailers engage with consumers online. Users require more than products and quality service; they also expect a good user experience. User experience is affected by branding, functionality, navigation, content, aesthetics and usability. This study investigates the attainment of better user experience on e-commerce websites. A dual-method usability evaluation approach – usability testing with end-users and heuristic evaluation by experts – was employed to obtain a holistic picture of how usability aspects support or hinder the user experience. Usability testing provided insights into detailed interface issues and the type of content and journey that users prefer when making a purchasing decision, while heuristic evaluation was mainly directed at overall user interface and interaction factors. In a complementary way, each method identified a high number of usability problems. Key findings are summarized, and design guidelines are identified that can facilitate the development of e-commerce websites to promote user experience. / E-handel het aansienlik toegeneem, soos e-kleinhandelaars by verbruikers aanlyn betrokke raak. Gebruikers verlang meer as produkte en kwaliteit diens; hulle verwag ook 'n goeie gebruikerservaring. Gebruikerservaring word deur ‘branding’, funksies, navigasie, inhoud, estetika en bruikbaarheid beinvloed. Hierdie studie ondersoek die bereiking van beter gebruikerservaring op e-handel webwerwe. 'n Dubbelemetode bruikbaarheidsevaluering benadering – bruikbaarheidstoetsing met eindgebruikers en heuristiese evaluering deur kundiges – is gebruik om ‘n holistiese beeld te verkry van hoe bruikbaarheidsaspekte gebruikerservaring ondersteun of verhinder. Bruikbaarheidstoetsing lewer insigte in gedetailleerde koppelvlak kwessies en die tipe inhoud en roete wat gebruikers verkies wanneer hulle 'n aankoop maak, terwyl heuristiese evaluering hoofsaaklik gerig is op algehele gebruikerskoppelvlak en interaksie faktore. Op 'n komplementêre manier, het elke metode' n groot aantal bruikbaarheidsprobleme geïdentifiseer. Belangrike bevindings word saamgevat, en ontwerp riglyne is voorgestel wat die ontwikkeling van e-handel webwerwe fasiliteer wat gebruikerservaring bevorder. / Computing / M. Tech. (Information Technology)

近年來，寬頻網路與數位內容的興起，受到世界先進國家的注意。在台灣，寬頻網路與數位內容不僅是產業界及學術界熱門的研究及發展課題，也是政府既定的產業政策方向，但卻少有研究同時針對兩者進行完整的討論和其關連之研析。 本研究旨在針對科技、產製、市場、經營與政策五個面向，透過文獻分析與深度訪談法，從趨勢發展的角度探討數位內容與寬頻網路彼此的前景和關連。 本研究認為，寬頻網路與數位內容在科技、產製、市場、經營及政策等面向上的發展關連緊密，彼此相輔相成，並可以產生整合的效果： （一）科技面：寬頻網路傳輸效能與效率的提升，加上科技匯流與IP網路的整合，提供內容已成為寬頻網路必然的發展趨勢。 （二）產製面：數位內容可以發展多元創新的應用，主要仍是寬頻網路的推波助瀾，因此寬頻網路未來勢必成為數位內容最重要的傳輸通路。 （三）市場面：寬頻網路與數位內容的市場需求彼此重疊。提供加值內容可以創造寬頻市場的範疇經濟優勢，透過寬頻傳輸則可以擴大數位內容的市場規模。 （四）經營面：寬頻網路與數位內容經營者的核心能力不同，彼此價值鏈的關連緊密，並可以提供創新和多元的經營模式。 （五）政策面：世界重要國家都很重視寬頻網路與數位內容的推展，同時推展寬頻網路和數位內容可以滿足彼此在政策上的供給和需求關連。 在台灣，近年來寬頻網路和數位內容產業發展迅速，但少有相互合作以發揮整合優勢的成功案例，另外在寬頻連線速率和線上內容的品質方面，也還有進步的空間。因此，政府除應持續加強寬頻網路和數位內容的推展，也可以同時思考寬頻網路與數位內容產業政策之間的支援與整合。 / While the upsurge of broadband and digital content has attracted considerable attention in developed countries recently, in Taiwan, despite the fact the fixed official policy has propelled the R&D on the subject either in the field of industry or academia respectively, integrated program researches are inadequate. This research aims to explore the prospects and correlation of digital content and broadband through literature analysis and intensive interviews, focusing on five dimensions of technology, production, market, operation, and policy. In conclusion, the broadband and digital content developing cooperatively and coordinately results in synergy out of the five facets as below： A.Technology：The upgrade of transmission effect and efficiency, as well as the digital convergence and IP network integration, broadband entrepreneurs offering content has inevitably become a trend. B.Production：Broadband fostering the growth of digital content enables it be applied in an innovative way, making it definitely a significant transmission material for digital content. C.Market：The market demand of broadband and digital content overlaps, and the economy scope advantages in broadband market is reachable when broadband is provided with value-added content. D.Operation：Broadband operators and digital content operators, closely correlating with each other in value chains, vary in core competence, which may innovate and variegate business models. E.Policy：Most advanced countries have been making efforts to promote broadband and digital content, while the policies of broadband and digital content are both enforced, the supply and need of both industries can be fulfilled. Despite of broadband and digital content industries developing in Taiwan in recent years, successful synergy cases out of cooperation between broadband and digital content run short. The speed rate of broadband access and the quality of online content issues remain to be strengthened. It is suggested that the government persist in popularizing broadband and digital content, besides working out interdisciplinary policies for broadband and digital content.