COMP106 Assignment 2

1
COMP106 Assignment 2

• PROPOSAL 20

2
Proposed metaphor

• For the new system I propose to implement an
  interface which much more closely imitates a
  library
• The current system does little to mask the fact
  that we are querying a database, and thus is
  quite different to what we do when we actually
  visit a library
• The most major addition to the system will be
  ability to borrow books through the system, and
  reserve them for collection

3
Proposed metaphor

• The current system, for all its on screen help
  and hints, still requires the user to be familiar
  with using websites and filling in standard forms
• By making the site resemble an actually library,
  with virtual aisles and bookshelves presented on
  screen a user will be able to use it much more
  intuitively
• The metaphor could even be extended into a 3D
  model which would run as a web-browser plugin,
  allowing the user to literally walk through the
  library

4
Improvements

• There will be several main improvements to the
  system, firstly when searching for books, the
  user will be able to go the Librarian and through
  a user friendly interface one will be able to
  interact with the virtual librarian who will
  offer search tips and advice
• Queries will be entered in natural language,
  allowing non-expert users to phrase questions as
  if spoken. This will circumvent the need to
  trawl through documentation and FAQs.
• For the expert-users, there will be a more
  traditional search option available, here the
  user will be able to directly enter query
  phrases, and basically be closer to the actual
  database running behind the scenes

5
The interface

• By using the direct-manipulation form of
  graphical user interface, the user can pan around
  the library using their mouse over the image,
  allowing a full 360o rotation.
• Interactive elements of the scene will be
  highlighted and can be visited by clicking upon
  them. The alternative locations will be
  presented in a traditional frame to the left hand
  side of the window, allowing the user to quickly
  jump between sections or back to the overview of
  the library.

6
Usage and improvements

• The user will be able to pan to aisles
  representing different subjects
• Upon clicking the desired the subject, the user
  will be taken to a representation of a bookshelf
• If desired the user can browse the bookshelf,
  with a description of the book available upon
  mouse-over
• A search box will be readily available, with its
  scope set to the current subject

7
Searching the library

• The search will visually take the user to the
  book on the shelf, allowing the user to see other
  works by this author
• If the user has searched by a field other than
  author, then the virtual bookshelf is
  automatically rearranged to reflect the different
  sorting methods
• As a further option, the user can be showed a
  selection of closest matches if the search does
  not return any exact results

8
Searching the library

• Double clicking the book will take the user to
  its record in a pop-up window (as to allow the
  user to compare books)
• Here notes such as publishing date, revision,
  number of pages and any extracts will be
  displayed
• It is on this page that the most important new
  option is available borrow this book
• Clicking this will deposit the book in a
  shopping cart

9
Borrowing a book

• If all the copies of this book are out, the user
  will be informed the date at which they can pick
  the book up
• When clicking borrow this book, the option is
  not finalised until you return to the Librarians
  desk, login with your student details
• This allows the user to lend several books. A
  message warns the user if the borrowing limit is
  exceeded
• Here the length of the time the book will be
  taken out is entered (depending on the demand of
  the book, only short loan options may be
  available) and a receipt with reservation number
  can be printed out on the local printer
• The receipt can then be taken along to the actual
  library and the books collected

10
Interface mismatches

• By developing a virtual library system, I have
  endeavoured to keep the differences between the
  real experience of interacting with a library and
  the proposed system to a minimum
• By reducing these target/source mismatches the
  whole system will become more intuitive
• However, there will be some discrepancies between
  the two systems

11
Actions

• Target
• Get book from shelf
• Ask librarian a question
• Walk to desired section

• Source
• Double click book on virtual shelf
• Type question into virtual librarian query box
  using natural language
• Pan around the screen until desired section is in
  view, then click to go there

12
Actions

• Target
• Take book to reception and hand over card for
  swiping. Verbally informed of return date

• Source
• Add book to shopping cart, when all books have
  been chosen, go back to the virtual assistant for
  checkout. Enter StudentID and PIN. Print
  reservation slip. Go to library for collection.

13
Possible mismatches

• Users may assume, wrongly, that once borrow
  book has been clicked, the book is reserved
• Solution user must go through the checkout
  procedure
• User may think that by closing the book window,
  will take the book out of the shopping cart
• Solution user must delete the book from the
  shopping cart
• User may assume by closing the website, books in
  the cart will have been reserved
• Solution user must go through the checkout
  procedure