Inspirational Designs
30 09 09 - 00:12 After synthesizing the data we gathered through user interviews, we began the task of starting interface development by looking for inspiration in the world around us.First we began by creating a lits of inspirational ideas, things that our users use to get tasks done or other things that could help us design the ideal interface. Below is our list, grouped by type:
Paper Composition
Microsoft Word (track changes): popular document processing tool, track changes is the commenting and revision sub program
Google Documents: a free paper collaboration tool.
Latex Compiler: scientific/mathematic word processing tool.
Google Wave: a mega-collaboration platform (not yet released)
Pages: word processing tool for Macintosh users
Adobe Reader: .pdf viewing and sharing software
EtherPad: software program developed for real time paper collaboration
Pen and Paper: the most simplistic and straight forward way to write documents
Collaboration/Communication Tools
Telephone: real time audible communication, though perceived as archaic
Flights: traveling to see people: direct way to visit and work with collaborators
E-mail: fast/documented software way to share information with collaborators
Fed Ex: fast way to physically share research
Skype: a communication tool that utilizes VoIP to make phone calls or send instant messages.
Video conferencing: real time method for visual and audible remote collaboration
Computers: tools used to replace archaic methods of paper writing and collaborating
Facebook: social networking tool that allows message posts and status updates
Microsoft Outlook: popular
communication software to manage email, calendars, contacts, etc
Source/Literature Management
Endnote: popular software used for source management and generating a reference list
Bibtex Tabref: software for citation management
Mendeley: “Like iTunes for Research Papers”. Allows the user to create a bibliography database and read/annotate PDFs within the program.
“Paper” (for Mac): citation management software for Macintosh users Data Searching
Google: search engine to look for current information, collaborators, etc.
Google Scholar: search engine for academic literature
Microfiche: archaic primary sources
archiving and reviewing tool
Figure Tools
Matlab or Gnu Plot: secondary software tool to run calculations and plot data
Adobe Photoshop: secondary software program for editing of images
Microsoft Excel: software tool for the
management of data and spreadsheet
Repositories/Data Back-Up
SVN: a repository tool for sharing and backing up documents
CVS: out of date program for sharing and backing up documents, pre-SVN.
Dropbox: software platform for the syncing and updating of shared documents
Wikis: online database for group
collaboration and document sharing
Miscellaneous
Team forming algorithm: algorithm used
to form collaboration groups
Smartboard: software and hardware based system for interactive presentations/collaboration