Dynamic Layout Optimization for Newspaper Web Sites using a Controlled Annealed Genetic Algorithm

1
Dynamic Layout Optimization for Newspaper Web
Sites using a Controlled Annealed Genetic
Algorithm

• Gjermund BrabrandH06MMT

2
Index

• Introduction
• Thesis
• Research questions
• Method
• Prototype
• Results
• Conclusions
• Further work

3
Introduction

• What is layout optimization?
• Finding the best layout for a given purpose
• What is the problem with most newspaper web site
  presentations today?
• Static layout
• Oversized
• Space efficiency
• How can newspaper web site presentations benefit
  dynamic layout?

4
Thesis

• A layout generator for newspapers
• Problems
• Control - interaction
• Individual apperance
• Supervision
• Workflow

5
Thesis

• A newspaper layout
• consists of rectangles laid out on a surface in a
  way that produce no gaps, and looks good.
• The pagination problem
• computerized process by which layout components
  is laid out
• Annealed genetic algorithm
• evolutionary algorithm used for search and
  optimization problems

6
Research questions

• RQ1 How can automated layout procedures benefit
  a newspaper web site advantageously?
• RQ2 How can article control be implemented in
  the algorithm fitness function without loss of
  effectiveness and performance?
• RQ3 How well does the fitness function and human
  eye correlate in picking out visually approved
  layouts?

7
Research questions

• RQ4 What positive and negative factors will
  automated layout in a newspaper web site have on
  the user workflow compared to regular news
  posting?

8
Method

• RQ1 A prototype is developed using standard CMS
  design with a layout generator implemented. A
  group of personel with relevant experience will
  compare regular news publishing layout with the
  protoype.

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Method

• RQ2 The prototype is used to test out different
  solutions for article control. Test of
  performance and runtime will determine which
  solution to use. RQ3 is used to answer this
  questions visual performance issue.

10
Method

• RQ3 An experiment is carried out to check for
  correlation between human eye and the fitness
  function.

11
Method

• RQ4 Based on a survey answered by the prototype
  test participants we try to uncover significant
  changes in prototype workflow compared with
  regular publishing systems.

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Prototype

• Principle of the prototype

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PrototypeAnnealed genetic algorithm

• Initial solution (chromosome)
• chrom 2 5 1 9 7 8 3 6 4
• Mutation
• A bad solution is often close to a good
  solution
• Prevent local optima
• chrom 2 5 3 9 7 8 1 6 4
• Control operators (discussed later)
• Calculate fitness
• Check solution
• If new.fitness lt current.fitness ? hold
• If new.fitness within acceptance domain ? hold

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Prototype Swap operator

• Alt 1
• Initial solution
• Chrom 2 5 1 9 7 8 3 6 4
• Mutation
• Calculate fitness
• Check for size match in better positions
• Typical result
• Chrom 2 3 4 9 7 8 5 6 1

• Alt 2
• Initial solutionChrom 2 5 1 9 7 8 3 6 4
• Mutation
• Put priority articles first
• Chrom 7 3 4 9 2 8 5 6 1
• 3. Calculate fitness

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PrototypeHeadliner operator

• 1. Initial solution
• chrom 2 5 1 9 7 8 3 6 4
• 2. Mutation
• 2. Fixed solution
• chrom 3 5 1 9 7 8 2 6 4
• 3. Calculate fitness

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Results

• RQ1 Prototype
• Dynamic without being accidental
• Autogenerated category sites
• Choose layout profile
• Article control
• Experiment
• Group 1 test of prototype - survey
• Group 2 fitness functino vs. human eye
• Performance

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Results

• RQ2 Algorithm performance is maintained
• RQ3 Correlation between fitness function and
  human eye

10 participants vs. 8 random fitness solutions
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Results

• Survey
• 6 participants
• Experience with web publishing systems (CMS)
• Work at large newspaper web sites
• RQ4 Outcome
• Not enough positioning control of individual
  articles
• think design
• Easy to use

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Conclusion

• Not enough control for professional use
• Frequent change of layout
• Positioning control
• Usefull in other areas
• Personalized presentations
• Webshop product presentations
• Smaller newspapers/online publications
• Choice of method

20
Further work

• Test in other areas
• Linked articles
• Expand function gallery
• Advertisement support