@conference {17168, title = {First Steps to Netviz Nirvana: Evaluating Social Network Analysis with NodeXL}, booktitle = {International Conference on Computational Science and Engineering, 2009. CSE {\textquoteright}09}, volume = {4}, year = {2009}, month = {2009/08/29/31}, pages = {332 - 339}, publisher = {IEEE}, organization = {IEEE}, abstract = {Social Network Analysis (SNA) has evolved as a popular, standard method for modeling meaningful, often hidden structural relationships in communities. Existing SNA tools often involve extensive pre-processing or intensive programming skills that can challenge practitioners and students alike. NodeXL, an open-source template for Microsoft Excel, integrates a library of common network metrics and graph layout algorithms within the familiar spreadsheet format, offering a potentially low-barrier-to-entry framework for teaching and learning SNA. We present the preliminary findings of 2 user studies of 21 graduate students who engaged in SNA using NodeXL. The majority of students, while information professionals, had little technical background or experience with SNA techniques. Six of the participants had more technical backgrounds and were chosen specifically for their experience with graph drawing and information visualization. Our primary objectives were (1) to evaluate NodeXL as an SNA tool for a broad base of users and (2) to explore methods for teaching SNA. Our complementary dual case-study format demonstrates the usability of NodeXL for a diverse set of users, and significantly, the power of a tightly integrated metrics/visualization tool to spark insight and facilitate sense-making for students of SNA.}, keywords = {Computer science, computer science education, data visualisation, Data visualization, Educational institutions, graph drawing, graph layout algorithm, Information services, Information Visualization, Internet, Libraries, Microsoft Excel open-source template, MILC, multi-dimensional in-depth long-term case studies, Netviz Nirvana, NodeXL, Open source software, Programming profession, SNA, social network analysis, Social network services, social networking (online), spreadsheet programs, structural relationship, teaching, visual analytics, visualization tool, Web sites}, isbn = {978-1-4244-5334-4}, doi = {10.1109/CSE.2009.120}, author = {Bonsignore,E. M and Dunne,C. and Rotman,D. and Smith,M. and Capone,T. and Hansen,D. L and Shneiderman, Ben} } @conference {17098, title = {Dynamic layout management in a multimedia bulletin board}, booktitle = {IEEE 2002 Symposia on Human Centric Computing Languages and Environments, 2002. Proceedings}, year = {2002}, month = {2002///}, pages = {51 - 53}, publisher = {IEEE}, organization = {IEEE}, abstract = {This paper proposes a novel user interface to manage the dynamic layout of multimedia objects in the Multimedia Bulletin Board (MBB) system. The MBB has been designed and implemented as a prototype of an asynchronous communication system that enables rich communication and collaboration among users of multimedia objects such as text, image, moving picture, sound, voice, Web, office document, and other files. The layout properties of the multimedia objects on a board (e.g. x-y position, size, z-order, explicit and implicit links, etc.) show important and useful information on the user dynamics occurring within a board. However, a fixed layout created and edited by multiple users may prevent users from recognizing and identifying other information. This paper resolves this problem with a novel user-controlled layout strategy made visible with dynamic layout templates (DLT). Users can reorganize the objects to extract meaningful information related to time, source, geographic location, or topic.}, keywords = {Asynchronous communication, asynchronous communication system, Collaboration, data mining, dynamic layout management, dynamic layout templates, groupware, Human computer interaction, image, Information services, Laboratories, moving picture, Multimedia Bulletin Board system, multimedia computing, Multimedia databases, multimedia objects, multimedia systems, office document, Prototypes, sound, text, user interface, User interfaces, user-controlled layout strategy, voice, Web, Web pages}, isbn = {0-7695-1644-0}, doi = {10.1109/HCC.2002.1046344}, author = {Kang,Hyunmo and Shneiderman, Ben and Wolff,G. J} } @conference {17080, title = {Developing the next generation of Earth science data systems: the Global Land Cover Facility}, booktitle = {Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1999. IGARSS {\textquoteright}99 Proceedings. IEEE 1999 International}, volume = {1}, year = {1999}, month = {1999///}, pages = {616-618 vol.1 - 616-618 vol.1}, publisher = {IEEE}, organization = {IEEE}, abstract = {A recent initiative by NASA has resulted in the formation of a federation of Earth science data partners. These Earth Science Information Partners (ESIPs) have been tasked with creating novel Earth science data products and services as well as distributing new and existing data sets to the Earth science community and the general public. The University of Maryland established its ESIP activities with the creation of the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF). This joint effort of the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and the Department of Geography has developed an operational data archiving and distribution system aimed at advancing current land cover research efforts. The success of the GLCF is tied closely to assessing user needs as well. As the timely delivery of data products to the research community. This paper discusses the development and implementation of a web-based interface that allows users to query the authors{\textquoteright} data holdings and perform user requested processing tasks on demand. The GLCF takes advantage of a scaleable, high performance computing architecture for the manipulation of very large remote sensing data sets and the rapid spatial indexing of multiple format data types. The user interface has been developed with the cooperation of the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL) and demonstrates advances in spatial and temporal querying tools as well as the ability to overlay multiple raster and vector data sets. Their work provides one perspective concerning how critical earth science data may be handled in the near future by a coalition of distributed data centers}, keywords = {Computer architecture, data archiving, data distribution system, Data systems, Distributed computing, Earth science data products, Earth science data system, ESIP, geographic information system, geographic information systems, Geography, geophysical measurement technique, geophysical signal processing, geophysical techniques, Geoscience, GIS, GLCF, Global Land Cover Facility, High performance computing, Indexing, information service, Information services, Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, land cover, NASA, next generation, PACS, Remote sensing, terrain mapping, UMIACS, University of Maryland, User interfaces, web-based interface}, isbn = {0-7803-5207-6}, doi = {10.1109/IGARSS.1999.773583}, author = {Lindsay,F.E. and Townshend,J.R.G. and JaJa, Joseph F. and Humphries,J. and Plaisant, Catherine and Shneiderman, Ben} } @article {16925, title = {A framework for search interfaces}, journal = {IEEE Software}, volume = {14}, year = {1997}, month = {1997/04//Mar}, pages = {18 - 20}, abstract = {Searching textual databases can be confusing for users. Popular search systems for the World Wide Web and stand alone systems typically provide a simple interface: users type in keywords and receive a relevance ranked list of 10 results. This is appealing in its simplicity, but users are often frustrated because search results are confusing or aspects of the search are out of their control. If we are to improve user performance, reduce mistaken assumptions, and increase successful searches, we need more predictable design. To coordinate design practice, we suggest a four-phase framework that would satisfy first time, intermittent, and frequent users accessing a variety of textual and multimedia libraries}, keywords = {Abstracts, Cities and towns, Databases, Delay, design practice, four-phase framework, frequent users, Information retrieval, Information services, Libraries, multimedia libraries, online front-ends, popular search systems, predictable design, Protection, relevance ranked list, search interfaces, search results, stand alone systems, textual database searching, Thesauri, User interfaces, user performance, word processing, World Wide Web}, isbn = {0740-7459}, doi = {10.1109/52.582969}, author = {Shneiderman, Ben} } @conference {17335, title = {Query previews in networked information systems}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the Third Forum on Research and Technology Advances in Digital Libraries, 1996. ADL {\textquoteright}96}, year = {1996}, month = {1996/05/13/15}, pages = {120 - 129}, publisher = {IEEE}, organization = {IEEE}, abstract = {In a networked information system (such as the NASA Earth Observing System-Data Information System (EOS-DIS)), there are three major obstacles facing users in a querying process: network performance, data volume and data complexity. In order to overcome these obstacles, we propose a two phase approach to query formulation. The two phases are the Query Preview and the Query Refinement. In the Query Preview phase, users formulate an initial query by selecting rough attribute values. The estimated number of matching data sets is shown, graphically on preview bars which allows users to rapidly focus on a manageable number of relevant data sets. Query previews also prevent wasted steps by eliminating zero hit queries. When the estimated number of data sets is long enough, the initial query is submitted to the network which returns the metadata of the data sets for further refinement in the Query Refinement phase. The two phase approach to query formulation overcomes slow network performance, and reduces the data volume and data complexity, problems. This approach is especially appropriate for users who do not have extensive knowledge about the data and who prefer an exploratory method to discover data patterns and exceptions. Using this approach, we have developed dynamic query user interfaces to allow users to formulate their queries across a networked environment}, keywords = {Computer networks, data complexity, data mining, data patterns, data volume, dynamic query user interfaces, Educational institutions, EOS-DIS, exploratory method, Information retrieval, Information services, Information systems, Intelligent networks, interactive systems, Laboratories, Manipulator dynamics, matching data sets, NASA Earth Observing System-Data Information System, Network performance, networked environment, networked information systems, query formulation, query preview, query refinement, querying process, rough attribute values, User interfaces, visual databases, zero hit queries}, isbn = {0-8186-7403-2}, doi = {10.1109/ADL.1996.502522}, author = {Donn,K. and Plaisant, Catherine and Shneiderman, Ben} }