Automated systems for large-span roof truss optimization provide engineers with the flexibility to consider multiple alternatives during conceptual design. This investigation extends previous work on multi-objective roof truss optimization to include the design preferences of a human user. The incorporation of user preferences into the optimization process required creation of a mechanism to identify and model preferences as well as discovery of an appropriate location within the algorithm for preference application. The first stage of this investigation developed a characteristic feature vector to describe the physical appearance of an individual truss. The feature vector translates visual elements of a truss into quantifiable properties transparent to the computer algorithm. The nine elements in the feature vector were selected from an assortment of geometrical and behavioral factors and describe truss simplicity, general shape, and chord shape. Using individual feature vectors, a truss population may be divided into groups of similar design. Partitioning the population simplifies the feedback process by allowing users to identify groups that best suit their design preferences. Several unsupervised clustering mechanisms were evaluated for their ability to generate truss classifications that matched human judgment and minimized intra-group deviation. A one-dimensional Kohonen self-organizing map was selected. The characteristic feature vectors of truss designs within user-selected groups provided a basis for determining whether or not a user would like a new design. After analyzing user inputs, prediction algorithm trials sought to reproduce these inputs and apply them to the prediction of acceptable designs. This investigation developed a hybrid method combining rough set reduct techniques and a back-propagation neural network. This hybrid prediction mechanism was embedded into the operations of an Implicit Redundant Representation Genetic Algorithm. Locations within the ranking and selection processes of this algorithm formed the basis of a study to investigate the effect of user preference on truss optimization. Final results for this investigation prove that incorporating a user's aesthetic design preferences into the optimization project generates more design alternatives for the user to examine; that these alternatives are more in line with a user's conceptual perception of the project; and that these alternatives remain structurally optimal.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2001. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 81 p.; also contains graphics. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 80).

Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--University of Preotoria, 2000. / Summary in Afrikaans and English.

At a computational technology company called LTC, a large array of employees worked together to design the user experience (UX) of a variety of products. The empirical case study explores the relationship amongst the work of UX design, the work setting, and the larger strategic claims being made about the value, efficacy, and importance of design methods. The main research question is: How is the activity of design reflected and constructed by a local culture and material environment? By addressing the way designing occurs in a particular setting, the dissertation unpacks assumptions about setting and ideology within design studies and human-computer interaction. These assumptions impact the legitimacy of design as work, and challenge accepted justifications for the role of design in the development of technological artifacts. A better understanding of design work explores the proliferation of design as a general strategy for problem-solving, while questioning the agenda of this proliferation. The case study follows three accounts of UX design work at LTC. The research connects these accounts to theoretical concerns within design studies and HCI about agency, the setting of design, and the limits on design practice.

While the racial diversity of academic library users continues to grow, research on the effects of this diversity remains scarce. This study looks at similarities and differences between non-traditional Caucasian and African American library users through content analysis of ninety-four virtual reference transactions.

While the racial diversity of academic library users continues to grow, research on the effects of this diversity remains scarce. This study looks at similarities and differences between non-traditional Caucasian and African American library users through content analysis of ninety-four virtual reference transactions.

This paper presents results from twenty-one semi-structured interviews with museum information professionals (MIPs) who were asked about their experiences working with information resources, tools, and technologies. Interviews were analyzed to determine 1) the challenges MIPs face as they adapt to changing technical capabilities and strive to meet the changing needs and expectations of museum users; and 2) the coping mechanisms MIPs employ on the job that enable them to deal effectively with those challenges. The paper presents the results of this analysis, exploring how MIPs cope with the changing nature of information work in museums by relying on thirteen different strategies, including assessing new technologies in relation to the museumâ s core mission, helping museum professionals embrace new ideas about information access and provision, and promoting internal practices that encourage the sharing of information and the integration of information science into museum work. The paper discusses the implications of these challenges and strategies for current and future MIPs, and assesses their impact on changing perceptions, roles, and research for information professionals in museums as they work to meet the information needs of all museum users.

This chapter discusses the social, organizational and technical challenges and solutions that emerged when facilitating collaboration through videoconferencing for a large, geographically dispersed research and development (R&D) organization. Collaboration is an integral component of many R&D organizations. Awareness of activities and potential contributions of others is fundamental to initiating and maintaining collaboration, yet this awareness is often difficult to sustain, especially when the organization is geographically dispersed. To address these challenges, we applied an action research approach, working with members of a large, geographically distributed R&D center to implement videoconferencing to facilitate collaboration and large group interaction within the center. We found that social, organizational and technical infrastructures needed to be adapted to compensate for limitations in videoconferencing technology. New social and organizational infrastructure included: explicit facilitation of videoconference meetings; the adaptation of visual aids; and new participant etiquette practices. New technical infrastructure included: upgrades to video conference equipment; the use of separate networks for broadcasting camera views, presentation slides and audio; and implementation of new technical operations practices to support dynamic interaction among participants at each location. Lessons learned from this case study may help others plan and implement videoconferencing to support interaction and collaboration among large groups.

An attempt has been made to promote and optimize the use of the Internet as an information Source among engineering faculty and research scholars of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in India. A total of 850 questionnaires and interview schedules were distributed to the faculty and research scholars of NITs in India, 665 questionnaires were duly obtained with a response rate of 78.24%. An attempt has been made to develop an instrument of acceptance of Internet technology known as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) among faculty and Research scholars of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in India using the original constructs i.e. Perceived Usefulness as â the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance his or her job performanceâ , and Perceived Ease of Use as â the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free of effortâ . Thus, the Perceived Usefulness of Internet Technology, Perceived Ease of use, Experience of using Internet, attitude towards using Internet, Behavioral Intention to use Internet, Perceived Complexity and actual System use using the Internet has been determined and thereby reflecting the Learning Style, Per-ceptions and Emotions of the focus groups. Further the research study encompasses independent vari-ables mainly Designation, Age, Qualification, Teaching and Research Experience and Formal Training of respondents. In this paper, efforts were made to examine the relationship between the variables Use of Internet (UOI) and Level of Satisfaction (LOS), as a two major dependent variables of the research study. The various dimensions included are quantification of these two variables. To evaluate multiple effects, a set of four variables i.e. age, teaching and research experience and level of satisfaction were put to Regression Analysis to see the multiple effects on variable Use of Internet. The variable LOS has emerged as the most affecting the dependent variable that means affecting the dependent variables i.e. Use of Internet. Thus, there is very high correlation between variables, Use of Internet and Level of satis-faction. The co-efficient of correlation is also statistically significant showing high positive correlation, which implies that higher the level of satisfaction, higher will be the use of Internet. This has resulted in coming out with a mathematical â regression model in which the results of regression analysis shows that, the four variables age, teaching and research experience and level of satisfaction put together explains 39 per cent of variance in variable Use of Internet (UOI).

This is a report prepared by the author in the Human-Computer Interaction Group, Information Science Program, Department of Communication at Cornell University. It firstly gives an introduction to NSDL; then the complexity of capturing userâ s behavior on the Internet is discussed. The report then discussed the details of this project, including the web log analysis tools used, data cleaning process, the results of data analysis and its interpretation. Finally a general conclusion was given and its implication for digital library design is provided.