[13226] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: personalized interfaces
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Don Bradley)
Thu Mar 30 20:20:22 2000
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 07:48:04 -0800
From: Don Bradley <donbradley@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-Id: <20000330154804.76505.qmail@hotmail.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
> 2. personalized library interfaces
>From: Eric Lease Morgan <eric_morgan@NCSU.EDU>
>>This may be begging the question, but I'm curious and I would like to
>know what we are hoping to accomplish by creating personalized library
>interfaces, and if we could have any features we desired, then what
>would they be?
>
>At the NCSU Libraries we are developing such a personalized interface,
>and consequently we necessarily addressed these questions, but often
>times input from outside institutions helps clarify and focus the issues
>for everybody.
>
>Consequently, I am asking you what you think. What is the goal of
>personalization and ideally what functions would it provide? I will
>provide a summary for the list.
>
One factor for acceptance of any interface is familiarity. Particularly in a
medical setting wherein personnel will utilize several separate systems each
with different user interfaces it is becoming increasingly important that
there be an instantly recognizable and familiar screen layout with clearly
discernible navigation tools and structural layout.
One desire for personal interfaces may simply be the desire for something
that is 'known' rather than 'new and improved'.
Surely in a world that is making use of increased selective dissemination of
information based on user profiles there should be a way for allowing the
user to customize his interface. Such things as 'the message of the day' or
'annoucements of holiday hours' are often annoying to many users who must
page through them. Some users may want a default setting that gives them
access to a particular branch's holdings first in any display of search
results. Some users may simply want to see things in a layout that is
similar to one that they use for other purposes.
I would assume that there would be more efficient use of resources if the
user is allowed to personalize the interface and is therefore less likely to
require assistance.
tnx&rgds,
Don Bradley
Seattle, WA
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
