Computer-Human Interaction
CPSC 436-500

This is a group project, to be carried out by a self-formed group of 3 students. Choose one of the two options below:

Consider the situation presented by a satellite TV system with a single converter whose output signal is distributed in a home to several TV sets located in separate rooms. In other words, all sets, when on, are displaying the same program.

The assignment is to design a remote controller for use at each of the sets. Besides functions relating to setting the TV channel, the controller must support functions that respond to conflicting requests--for example, what should happen when one viewer wants to switch from a channel that others are watching?

Your group should turn in a written report that:

1. Describes the environment in which the controller will be used and analyzes the design decisions that need to be addressed.
2. Presents your design.
3. Explains the rationale behind the design decisions.
4. Includes a short (about one page) use scenario.

In addition, prepare a single PowerPoint slide of the design to show to the class (Web-accessible to speed up loading).

Your group should design a set of nine related icons reflecting a set of three topics and a set of three target user groups. Each icon should fit within a one inch square. The three topics (and a brief definition of the area) are:

• Humanities informatics: application of information technology to scholarly activities in the humanities and the exploration of the human record. (Definition extracted from http://www.tamu.edu/hi)
• Bioinformatics: commonly used to refer to the application of information technology in the genomic context.
• Biodiversity informatics: application of information technology to organize, analyze, and deliver biological data from research collections, experiments, remote sensing, modeling, database searches and instrumentation. (Definition modified from http://www.nscalliance.org/bioinformatics/index.asp)

• The general public
• Elementary school children
• Visually impaired people

Your group should turn in a written report that:

1. Analyzes the similarities and differences among the three topic areas and among the three user groups.
2. Presents your design.
3. Explains the rationale behind the designs, especially the overall philosophy that you used for each topic and group and how the similarities/differences are reflected in the design.
4. Discusses alternatives that were considered.