Random Thoughts

Bud

2012-01-21T00:26:00.002-05:00

What a cool domain name this is to have: Bud!

Loading profile failed: An unexpected failure occurred

2011-12-15T21:51:00.002-05:00

My Google Checkout account is not loading and Google Wallet is giving the error: "Loading profile failed: An unexpected failure occurred".

I'm assuming this has something to do with the transition from Google Wallet to Google Checkout. This is for my Android App. This happened again about a week ago and I got about a quarter of the sales as usual on the day where this happened. I hope it gets fixed soon.

Loading profile failed: Oops - profile server was unable to process your request

2011-12-09T11:53:00.003-05:00

The automatic transition from Google Checkout to Google Wallet is, I believe, causing this error on my account. Google will most likely fix this. If you are having the same problem, I would wait another 24 hours to see if it gets fixed and then contact Google.

Guess The Letter

2011-10-27T21:44:00.002-04:00

Very simple app I made to test the publishing process on Android Market: Guess The Letter. It is an application that displays a new letter upon click of a button. It is good for a parent trying to teach their children to recognize letters. It is free and it does not have any ads on it.

8D8Apps

2011-10-18T01:43:00.001-04:00

8D8Apps is a venture that I'm pursuing in which I will try to build a company around the development of apps for Android devices.

Rainbow

2011-09-30T20:17:00.000-04:00

Random Thoughts: What is a rainbow?

Should vegetarians eat animal crackers?

2011-09-29T23:26:00.000-04:00

Should vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Yes!

Android Links

2011-09-27T22:52:00.002-04:00

Random Thoughts

2011-07-09T00:36:00.000-04:00

Random Thoughts: "How come we have drive in parkways and park in drive ways, people are weird."

You should write a book about people's weird behavior.

Stein Diamonds Rolex Submariner 14060m

2011-06-17T21:25:00.000-04:00

Stein Diamonds Rolex Submariner 14060M

rollover

Stein Diamonds Rolex Submariner 14060M

(Watch)

Retail Value: click for price
Best Price: $3,450.00

more details>>>

Click Here to Buy!

See All Offers | Technical Details | Customer Reviews

Rolex

->Watches->Categories->Casual Watches

Binding Designs, LLC

2011-05-21T22:19:00.002-04:00

I even fixed the logging in section and set-up the Database. All of my old data was lost from one of the many server transitions that the site has gone through. I must have just forgot to take the DB dump with me on one of the occasions. Hopefully, it is at it's final living place although I'm probably going to delete it and set-up Drupal or Joomla. I was looking at a Ruby on Rails CMS that seemed pretty simple. It was called Radian CMS. I want to use that because I would like to learn Rails and Ruby.

Binding Designs, LLC

2011-05-16T22:15:00.001-04:00

My website was down for a bit, but now it is back up! Go fetch it by following the link that the title of this post leads to! Good Job!

Semcasting

2011-04-11T09:18:00.002-04:00

Great advertising services. They bring targeting to a higher level!

Random Thoughts | Bad Thoughts

2011-02-17T10:27:00.001-05:00

Quoted from http://randomthoughts.ws/categories.php?category=Bad+Thoughts:

Random Thoughts | Bad Thoughts
I'm bad to the bone! Baby, I am bad!

Random Thoughts

2011-02-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "I am an artist!"

Random Thoughts (Life Savers)

2011-02-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts (Life Savers): "Life Savers were invented in 1912 by Clarence Crane, a Cleveland-area chocolatier who was looking for a candy that wouldn't melt in the summertime."

Pineapples

2011-01-31T22:03:00.000-05:00

Pineapples: "Pineapples are a great conversation starter!"

Random Thoughts

2011-01-31T14:31:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "Your current existence is a product of innumerable insignificant past coincidence."

Sony mylo COM-2 Internet Device (Black)

2011-01-31T12:20:00.000-05:00

Sony mylo COM-2 Internet Device (Black)

Sony mylo COM-2 Internet Device (Black)

(Personal Computers)

Color: Black

Pocket size communicator that uses Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g)
Send instant messages, Skype phone calls, and e-mail via web mail
Music player (MP3, WMA, ATRAC and AAC codecs), MPEG-4, AVC(baseline) video playback
1 GB internal memory, plus Memory Stick Duo media slot
3.5-inch high resolution (800 x 480) color LCD Touchscreen, 1.3 megapixel built-in camera

Retail Value: $299.99
Best Price: click for price

more details>>>

Click Here to Buy!

See All Offers | Technical Details | Customer Reviews

The 802.11b/g WiFi Sony mylo personal communicator gives you what you need to stay connected. Mylo uses wireless LAN technology so there are no monthly bills or long-term contracts. Call your friends on Skype for free or IM them on AIM, Google Talk, or Yahoo! Messenger using the back-lit slide-out keyboard. You can also browse the Web, take photos and then share/view them on the 3.5-inch LCD touch screen. All this on a device small enough to take virtually anywhere. Sony mylo, the fun of your PC in your pocket.
The redesigned Sony Mylo COM-2 (which stands for "my life online") enables you to stay in touch with all your IM and e-mail contacts without having to lug around a laptop. While still curvy along the sides for a comfortable feel in the palms of your hand, the top and bottom of the Mylo COM-2 have been given a sleeker straight edge. Other improvements include a larger 3.5-inch LCD (800 x 480-pixel resolution), a bump in Wi-Fi speed to 802.11g (in addition to 802.11b), and a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera. Other features include an easy-to-operate back-lit, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, an embedded microphone and speaker, multi-format digital audio player, and integrated Skype VoiP capabilities.

The redesigned Mylo COM-2 now includes faster Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), a 1.3-megapixel camera, and upload/download capabilities so you can share photos on the Web.

With the integrated wireless LAN, you won't have to worry about monthly bills or long-term contracts--just connect to any open Wi-Fi network and start chatting with friends using AIM, Google Talk, or Yahoo! Messenger. You can also browse the Web as well as send and receive email. Enjoy free Internet phone calls to and from any Skype enabled device and PC anywhere in the world, or Skype-Out to any phone number for a nominal fee.

The built in 1.3-megapixel camera lets you capture photos, edit them on the built in photo editor and--because the COM-2 features upload and download capability--post them directly to your blog or even to your Facebook page.

Through its hi-resolution touch-screen, enhanced Web Browsing combined with Adobe Flash Lite 3 support means you now have access to websites like YouTube and others. Flash Lite support also means you can play compatible casual Flash games.

In addition to powerful communication features, the Mylo COM-2 also provides a wide variety of digital audio, video, and photo playback. Like it's predecessor, the COM-2 is compatible with MP3, ATRAC, WMA (including secure Windows Media DRM 10 tracks you've purchased from online music stores or downloaded from subscription services), and it now can also play un-secured AAC tracks. The improved video player supports both MPEG4 simple/advanced along with the improved video quality of MPEG4 AVC. And the Mylo COM-2 is all about multi-tasking: listen to music while you IM or surf the Web.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 20 hours of continuous music playback, up to 7 hours of video playback, and up to 6 hours of Internet calling. It comes with 1 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via Memory Stick Duo media, and it offers USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity to your PC.

Mylo Widgets
The Mylo COM-2 comes with several pre-installed widgets that range from a Google search widget and the Facebook Notifier (tracking activity on your Facebook page) to more advanced apps like the My Contacts widget, which works as a consolidated buddy list for all the IM applications on the Mylo. In addition to the preinstalled widgets, you'll be able to download new widgets from the Mylo web site as well as register as a developer if you want to build your own widgets.

Note About Connectivity
The mylo Personal Communicator COM-1 requires a compatible wireless LAN access point to use the interactive IM, email, and Web features. It generally requires no additional monthly service charges as long as you are connected to free access points found in homes, cafes, businesses, and campuses. However, some access points and features may rely on Internet services which may require a fee.

Sony

Accessories:

Similar Products:

Model: (COM2BLACK)

UPC: (027242720817)

EAN: (0027242720817)

->Electronics->Categories->Computers & Accessories

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T21:30:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "ʎɐqə ɯoɹɟ pɹɐoqʎəʞ ɐ ʎnq ı əɯıʇ ʇsɐl əɥʇ sı sıɥʇ."

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T17:43:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "Do people have whole word thoughts or only internet lingo thoughts?"

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T11:25:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "It is not the rationalizations of intent (rituals) that are responsible for power, rather; the power is and is independant of rationalizations and conventional comprehension as power is experienced rather than explaned."

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "If black holes are so black how do we see them."

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T11:08:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "A paradise without people is not a paradise at all."

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T11:06:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer - when we complained about the heat?"

Random Thoughts

2011-01-28T09:10:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "I hate when people say the world is so bad now and we are heading towards the end of the world. They obviously dont know too much about history."

What a Joke This Message Is

2011-01-16T10:21:00.001-05:00

This is obviously not a real message:

Report
Facebook is recently becoming very overpopulated. There have been many members complaining that Facebook is becoming very slow. Records show that the reason is that there are many active Facebook members and, on the other side, many new Facebook members.

We will be sending this message around to see if members are active or not. If you are active please send to at least 15 other users using Copy+ Paste to show that you are still active. *Those who do not send this message within 2 weeks will be deleted without hesitation to create more space.*

Send this message to all your friends and to show me that your still active and you will not be deleted.

Founder of Facebook,
Mark Zuckerberg .

EZ App Builder

2011-01-14T20:32:00.001-05:00

Go build an application at EZ App Builder!

Human Computer Interaction

2010-12-11T21:05:00.001-05:00

Slide Set #1 Motivation and Fundamental Principles

The 7 steps of the usability engineering lifecycle

1. User working group

2. Understand user’s needs

3. Usability goals and requirements

4. Design document

5. Evaluation

6. Partner with developer to modify design

7. Iterate

The 5 perceptual depth cues

1. Size: larger objects appear to be closer

2. Interposition: blocked object appears to be behind and beyond the blocking object

3. Contrast, clarity, and brightness: sharper and more distinct objects appear to be nearer

4. Shadow: shadows cast by an object provide some cues to the relative position of objects

5. Texture: as the apparent distance increases, the texture of a detailed surface becomes less grainy

The 5 gestald laws of perceptual organization

A. Proximity

B. Similarity

C. Closure

D. Continuity

E. Symmetry

The definitions of:

1. Color stereoscopy – choosing some colors can make the unattended illusion of 3-d.

2. Usability – a term that measures the factors of interacting with a system.

3. Norman’s 3 fundamental principles

a. Controls need to be visible

i. (to the intended user, not just the designer!)

b. …with good mappings to their effects, and

c. Design should suggest (i.e., “afford”) the underlying functionality

4. Shneidermans’ principle of direct manipulation

a. Highly visible controls/results

b. Rapid, incremental, reversible, actions that remove a layer of abstraction between command and result

c. Continuous feedback

Slide Set #2 Model Human Processor + HCI Design Principles

The concepts behind the Model Human Processor, especially:

1. Recognize-Act Cycle of the Cognitive Processor

a. Analogous to fetch-execute cycle of computer processing

b. During each cycle, the contents of Working Memory initiate actions linked to related material in Long-Term Memory

c. Actions in turn modify what is in Working Memory

d. Cycle time is approximately 100 msec.

2. Variable Cognitive Processing rate

a. The cognitive processing time decreases with increased task demands and with practice

3. Discrimination

a. The harder it is to discriminate among pieces of information stored in memory, the more difficult to retrieve information

4. The difference between “pure capacity” and “effective capacity” of working memory

a. “Pure Capacity” of working memory is about 3 chunks and “Effective Capacity” uses 7 chunks and is augmented by use of Long-Term Memory

5. Power Law of Practice

a. The time Tn to perform a task on the nth trial follows a power law: Tn = T1n^-a, where a = .4

6. Uncertainty

a. Decision time T increases with uncertainty about the judgment or decision to be made

b. T = 150 * (log2(n+1)), for n equally probably alternatives: T is in milliseconds.

c. Example is what button to push in a telephone switchboard

Fitts’ Law

1. What it means – there is an equation to map out people’s ability to quickly and accurately move a device.

2. Textbook version

a. The time Tpos to move the hand to a target of size W which lies a distance A away is given by: Tpos = Im log2( A/W + .5 ) where Im = 100 msec/bit

3. Shneidermans’ Refinement

a. Assumes

i. There will always be a minimum selection time

ii. Time will be a function of the input device being used

b. Selection Time = C1 + C2(Id) + C3 ( log2(C4/W) )

i. C1 = device-dependent time to initiate a selection

ii. C2 = device-dependent time to travel to a target

iii. Id = Index of difficulty, log2(W/2 + .5 sec)

iv. W = width of the target

v. C3 = device-dependent constant

vi. C4 = device-dependent constant

Norman’s 7 stages of actions and “gulfs”

1. Actions:

a. Establish a goal

b. Form an intention

c. Specify an action sequence

d. Execute an action

e. Perceive the system state

f. Interpret the state

g. Evaluate the state with respect to their goals and intentions

2. Gulfs – these gulfs describe the gaps between the user and the interface

a. Gulf of execution

i. The difference between the user’s intentions and what the system allows them to do

b. Gulf of evaluation

i. The difference between the system’s representations and how well they can be interpreted in terms of the user’s intentions and expectations

HCI Design Principles

1. Look at interfaces and be able to cite which principles are violated, and why

a. Aesthetically pleasing

i. Provide visual appeal by following these presentation and graphic design principles

1. Provide meaningful contrast between screen elements

2. Create groupings

3. Align screen elements and groups

4. Provide 3-dimensional representation

5. Use color and graphics effectively and simply

b. Clarity

i. The interface should be visually, conceptually, and linguistically clear, including:

1. Visual elements

2. Functions

3. Metaphors

4. Words and text

c. Compatibility

i. Provide compatibility with the following:

1. The user

2. The taks and job

3. The product

ii. Adopt the user’s perspective

d. Comprehensibility

i. A system should be easily learned and understood. A user should know the following:

1. What to look at

2. What to do

3. When to do it

4. Where to do it

5. Why to do it

6. How to do it

ii. The flow of actions, responses, visual presentations, and information should be in a sensible order that is easy to recollect and place in context

e. Configurability

i. Permit easy personalization, configuration, and reconfiguration of settings to

1. Enhance a sense of control

2. Encourage an active role in understanding

f. Consistency

i. A system should look, act, and operate the same throughout. Similar components should:

1. Have a similar look

2. Have similar uses

3. Operate similarly

ii. The same action should always yield the same result

iii. The function of elements should not change

iv. The position of standard elements should not change

g. Control

i. The user must control the interaction

1. Actions should result from explicit user requests

2. Actions should be performed quickly

3. Actions should be capable of interruption or termination

4. The user should never be interrupted for errors

ii. The context maintained must be from the user’s perspective

iii. The means to achieve goals should be flexible and compatible with the user’s skills, experiences, habits, and preferences

iv. Avoid modes; they constrain actions available to users

v. Permit the user to customize aspects of the interface, while always providing a proper set of defaults

h. Directness

i. Provide direct ways to accomplish tasks

1. Available alternatives should be visible

2. The effect of actions on objects should be visible

i. Efficiency

i. Minimize eye and hand movements, and other control actions

1. Transitions between various system controls should flow easily and freely

2. Navigation paths should be as short as possible

3. Eye movement through a screen should be obvious and sequential

ii. Anticipate the user’s wants and needs whenever possible

j. Familiarity

i. Employ familiar concepts and use a language that is familiar to the user

ii. Keep the interface natural, mimicking the user’s behavior patterns

iii. Use real-world metaphors

k. Flexibility

i. A system must be sensitive to the differing needs of its users, enabling a level and type of performance based upon:

1. Each user’s knowledge and skills

2. Each user’s experience

3. Each user’s personal preference

4. Each user’s habits

5. The conditions at that moment

l. Forgiveness

i. Tolerate and forgive common and unavoidable human errors

ii. Prevent errors from occurring whenever possible

iii. Protect against possible catastrophic errors

iv. When an error does occur, provide constructive messages

m. Predictability

i. The user should be able to anticipate the natural progression of each task

1. Provide distinct and recognizable screen elements

2. Provide cues to the result of an action to be performed

ii. All expectations should be fulfilled uniformly and completely

n. Recovery

i. A system should permit:

1. Commands or actions to be abolished or reversed

2. Immediate return to a certain point if difficulties arise

ii. Ensure that users never lose their work as a result of:

1. An error on their part

2. Hardware, software, or communications problems

o. Responsiveness

i. The system must rapidly respond to the user’s requests

ii. Provide immediate acknowledgement for all user actions

1. Visual

2. Textual

3. Auditory

p. Simplicity

i. Provide as simple an interface as possible

ii. Five ways to provide simplicity

1. Use progressive disclosure, hiding things until they are needed

2. Provide defaults

3. Minimize screen alignment points

4. Make common actions simple at the expense of uncommon actions being made harder

5. Provide uniformity and consistency

q. Transparency

i. Permit the user to focus on the task or job, without concern for the mechanics of the interface

1. Workings and reminders of workings inside the computer should be invisible to the user

Chapter 9 topics of:

A. User-centered design

B. Lifecycle models

Slide Set #3 Collaboration and Localization

Collaboration:

· Awareness and awareness support

o Awareness of other participants

§ With two participants collaborating via a computer-based application, awareness is the understanding that one has of the presence, identity and activities of the other

§ It’s an N^2 problem

o Support for awareness

§ A synchronous collaborative system should provide all participants with information about the presence, identity, and activities of all other participants – when necessary, and without anyone having to request it nor anyone specifically having to transmit it!

· The Space/Time taxonomy

o Same Place, Same Time: Synchronous, Collocated

o Same Place, Different Time: Asynchronous, Collocated

o Different Place, Same Time: Synchronous, non-Collocated

o Different Place, Different Time: Asynchronous, non-Collocated

· Reasons why collaboration applications can fail

o Users did not perceive a need to collaborate

o When the work people need to put into the application exceeds the perceived value of their benefits from using the application

o Users did not have a well-articulated collaboration “concept of operations,” including guidance for what types of communications would require what media

o Users were not available to use the application frequently enough

o Application wasn’t easy to learn/use

· Thompson’s interdependencies

o Pooled

§ Each member provides a discrete element to the whole, which consists of the pooled contributions from all

o Sequential

§ The of one person is dependent on the output of another

o Reciprocal

§ People need to resolve contingencies with others

· Differences between the 4 levels of the EWG collaboration framework

o EWG Requirement Level

§ Contents

· Work tasks

o The work that the collaborators need to do

· Transition tasks

o Tasks used to move between work tasks

· Social protocols

o Define the way in which collaborative sessions are conducted

· Group characteristics

o Attributes that determine how a group can work together

§ Metrics

· Task Outcome

· Efficiency, Scalability

· User Satisfaction

· Security

o EWG Capability Level

§ Contents

· Shared workspace

· Shared view

· N-way communication

§ Metrics

· Distribution of Participation

· Floor Control/Access

· Object Sharing Cost

· Time on Task

o EWG Service Level

§ Contents

· Whiteboards

· Application Sharing

· Text Chat

· 3D visualization

§ Metrics

· Benchmarks

· Bandwidth Throughput

o EWG Technology Level

§ Contents

· Specific Implementations

· User Interface

§ Metrics

· Quality of Service

· Audio & Video Quality

· Image Quality

· Usability Measures

· Group Characteristics that affect collaboration

o Group physical/temporal considerations

§ Are they collocated or dispersed or a mixture?

§ Are they sitting in front of a computer or walking around?

§ Are they working at the same time or different times?

§ Are some team members in other time zones?

o Group structure considerations

§ Is the group newly formed or well-established?

§ Is the group small or large, and what percentage need to collaborate at any given time?

§ Are they strongly hierarchical or egalitarian?

§ Do they have similar or dissimilar job functions?

§ Is the group homogeneous or heterogeneous (e.g., culture, computer experience, education)?

· Examples of limitations

o Lack richness of Face-to-Face

§ No non-verbal or ‘backchannel’ communication cues

§ No contextual information

o Difficult to use learned social practices to smooth interaction

§ E.g., using pauses and eye contact for effective turn-taking

§ E.g., using nods to infer conversational understanding

o When social practices are unavailable human interaction becomes challenging

Localization:

· The difference between localization and internationalization

o Globalization or Internationalization

§ A basic design of “least common denominator” functionality that can act as a starting point for tailoring to specific localities

o Localization

§ Process of turning a globalized product into a product that is suited for a particular locale

§ Technical, national, and cultural aspects to localization

· Language characteristics that vary

o Script type

§ Example: Roman, Kanji, Bengali, Thai, etc…

o Number of script characters

§ Example: 26 in English vs. 22,000 in Chinese

o Multiple writing systems representing the same language

§ Example: Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji for Japanese

o Reading direction(s) for script

§ Can be bidirectional

§ Affects insertion point

o Hyphenation

§ Note that spelling can change when word is broken!

· The fact that numbers, calendars, addresses, weights, speeds, and personal addresses may be expressed differently

Slide Set #4 Introduction to Perception and Information Visualization for HCI

The difference between models, theories, and frameworks

· Theory

o A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of a phenomenon

o Intended to identify factors relevant to design

· Model

o A simplification of some aspect of human-computer interaction

o Intended to make it easier for designers to predict performance and evaluate alternative designs

· Framework

o A set of interrelated concepts and/or a set of specific questions

o Intended to inform or describe a particular domain area

What to consider when developing user profiles and characterizing groups

· Demographics

· Culture

· Geography

· Language

· Education

· Motivation

· Physiology

The different types of interview questions

· Open-ended

o How do you like this cell phone?

· Closed-ended

o Have you ever seen this model of cell phone before? Yes/No/Not sure

· Likert-scale

o This cell phone is just the right size for me? Agree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Disagree

· Semantic differential

o The size of this cell phone is: “much too small |_|_|_|_|_|_|_| much too big”

How to approach observations

· Observer unobserved by user

· Observer present with user but silent

· Observer present with user, mostly silent but asking questions on a non-interference basis

· Observer as a participant who takes part in tasks alongside operator

· Look at Environment, Work Flow, Team, Exceptional Conditions, look at Team as a whole and each member individually

What “think aloud” is all about

· Request users to verbalize thoughts while they carry out a task

o Sometimes called “think aloud” or “talk aloud”

o Normally done individually

· Be alert for information about unstated psychological processes which underlie performance, including the user’s intentions

o Will also reveal information about simple control movements

· Can use verbal protocols during observation in context or usability testing

The main concepts behind three observation and data analysis methods

· Grounded theory – another way to analyze observation data

o Develop a story that fits the data, meaning:

§ “a set of well-developed concepts related through statements of relationship, which together constitute an integrated framework that can be used to explain or predict phenomena

o Iterative process:

§ Collect data and categorize it

§ Collect more data to see if categories still make sense

§ Refine categories when new data warrants making changes

§ Quit when analysts aren’t learning anything new

o Three phases of categorizing data

§ Open coding

· Process by which categories are “discovered” in the data

· Decide on the granularity of the analysis

§ Axial coding

· Process of systematically fleshing out categories

· Relate categories to sub-categories

§ Selective coding

· Process of refining and integrating categories

· Organize categories around one central “backbone”

· Contextual inquiry – another way of gathering/analyzing data

o What: A structured, customer centered design process of collecting, interpreting, and using data for product design

o Why: Supports understanding of work, practices, interpersonal interactions, bottlenecks in workflows, use cases, etc…

o CI: Contextual Interviews, Interpretation Sessions, Affinity Diagramming, Modeling

§ Contextual Interviews

· What: One-on-one observational interviews in the workplace

· Why: Understand users through a shared interpretation of their needs, how they work, plus any issues or impediments

§ Interpretation Sessions

· What: After each interview, record each thought expressed in interview as its own note; team members make observations, ask questions, and share insights

· Why: Captures relevant data in useful form, shares interviews with cross-functional team

§ Affinity Diagramming

· What: Individual interview notes, key points, insights, questions, and design ideas grouped under themes and subthemes

· Why: Provides a way of organizing and structuring large amounts of detailed data from the bottom up

§ Modeling

· What: Different ways to organize the data obtained in the contextual interviews

· Why: Provides different windows into the data to allow analysts to view it from different angles

· Distributed cognition

o DC Overview

§ Studies the nature of cognitive phenomena across individuals, artifacts, and representations

§ Not within a person’s head, across people and what is in the environment

§ Focuses on changes in representational state

· …via transformation of info representations

§ Example: airline cockpit

· Human-human interactions

· Human-machine interactions

· Human-environment interactions

o DC Analysis

§ Show representations of orders, communications, and actions changing over time

Slide Set #5 Understanding Users

The difference between information visualization and scientific visualization

· Information visualization is the interdisciplinary study of "the visual representation of large-scale collections of non-numerical information, such as files and lines of code in software systems, library and bibliographic databases, networks of relations on the internet, and so forth"

· Scientific visualization is an interdisciplinary branch of science primarily concerned with the visualization of 3-dimensional phenomena (architectural, meteorological, medical, biological, etc.), where the emphasis is on realistic renderings of volumes, surfaces, illumination sources, and so forth, perhaps with a dynamic (time) component"

Data/attribute characteristics

A categorical variable, also called a nominal variable, is for mutual exclusive, but not ordered, categories. For example, your study might compare five different genotypes. You can code the five genotypes with numbers if you want, but the order is arbitrary and any calculations (for example, computing an average) would be meaningless.
An ordinal variable, is one where the order matters but not the difference between values. For example, you might ask patients to express the amount of pain they are feeling on a scale of 1 to 10. A score of 7 means more pain that a score of 5, and that is more than a score of 3. But the difference between the 7 and the 5 may not be the same as that between 5 and 3. The values simply express an order. Another example would be movie ratings, from * to *****.
An interval variable is a measurement where the difference between two values is meaningful. The difference between a temperature of 100 degrees and 90 degrees is the same difference as between 90 degrees and 80 degrees.
A ratio/affine variable, has all the properties of an interval variable, and also has a clear definition of 0.0. When the variable equals 0.0, there is none of that variable. Variables like height, weight, enzyme activity are ratio variables.

What “change blindness” is:

· In visual perception, change blindness is the phenomenon that occurs when a person viewing a visual scene apparently fails to detect large changes in the scene. For change blindness to occur, the change in the scene typically has to coincide with some visual disruption such as a saccade (eye movement) or a brief obscuration of the observed scene or image.

What trichromacy theory tells us about color perception (Where does the yellow come from?)

· Trichromacy is the condition of possessing three independent channels for conveying color information, derived from the three different cone types Organisms with trichromacy are called trichromats.

o The normal explanation of trichromacy is that the organism's retina contains three types of color receptors (called cone cells in vertebrates) with different absorption spectra. In actuality the number of such receptor types may be greater than three, since different types may be active at different light intensities. In vertebrates with three types of cone cells, at low light intensities the rod cells may contribute to color vision, giving a small region of tetrachromacy in the color space.

o It is estimated that each of the three cone types in the human retina can pick up about 100 different gradations, and that the brain can combine those variations such that the average human can distinguish about one million different colors.

Slide Set #6 Task Analysis

How to write a use case

· Begin with a particular user goal

· State preconditions

· Include a sequence of interactions between the actor and the system (called “narrative body”)

o Many narrative styles

o Choose the style most understandable to the anticipated users

· End when goal is satisfied

· State post conditions

How to use interview and observation data to create a hierarchical task analysis

· Start by identifying basic user tasks from observation/interview materials

· Take each high-level activity goal and…

o Identify the major steps needed to do the activity

o In cases where there are alternative ways to do the task, identify plans (sequences of steps)

o Keep decomposing steps until you get to the lowest level description that makes sense for your analysts

· Refine by working directly with users

Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA)

· Represent thought processes needed for typical tasks

· Identify info the system can provide to facilitate decision-making … and how it may need to be used

· Many CTA techniques based on hierarchical task analysis

The purpose of ACTA (Applied Cognitive Task Analysis)

· “Streamlined” form of CTA

· Based on semi-structured interviews with three sets of questions

· Researchers found that these questions provided a shortcut to learning about cognitive challenges

· After interviews with 6-12 people, analysts develop 4 analysis products

ACTA’s 4 steps

· Step 1: Task Diagram interview

o Pick a major task and ask, “can you break this task down into less than 6, but more than 3 steps?”

o Ask which steps require cognitive skill, “judgments, assessments, problem solving – thinking skills”

o Provides a surface level look at the task

· Step 2: Knowledge Audit Interview

o Identifies ways in which expertise is used in a domain and elicits actual experiences

o Example questions:

§ Is there a time when you walked into the middle of a situation and knew exactly how things got there and where they were headed?

§ Can you give me an example of what is important about the Big Picture for this task? What are the major elements you have to know and keep track of?

§ When you do this task, are there ways of working smart or accomplishing more with less – that you have found especially useful?

§ Can you think of a time when you realized that you would need to change the way you were performing in order to get the job done?

· Step 3: Simulation Interview

o Pick a scenario uncovered during knowledge audit or from training docs

o For each major event, ask the following:

§ What actions, if any, would you take at this point in time?

§ What do you think is going on here? What is your assessment of the situation at this point in time?

§ What pieces of information led you to this situation assessment and these actions?

§ What errors would an inexperienced person be likely to make in this situation?

· Step 4: Compose a Cognitive Demands Summary Table

o | Difficult Cognitive Element | Cues & Strategies Used |

o | … | … |

o | Coordinating with right person… | Learn the presentation style |

Know the purposes of, and how to interpret (given a legend):

· Operational sequence diagrams

· Workload analysis diagrams

Slide Set #7

Why HRI is different from HCI

· Complex, dynamic control systems

· Autonomy and learning

· Real world environment

· Degraded operation

· Different roles

· Action at a distance

The HRI Awareness Base Case

Given one human and one robot working on a task together…

…HRI awareness is the understanding the human as of the

· Location

· Activities

· Status

· Surrounding of the robot

…the information that the robot has of

· The human’s commands necessary to direct its’ activities

· The constraints under which it must operate

Be able to state some examples of principles that apply to HRI (and why)

Principles that apply to HRI

1. Awareness

a. For one robot and one human, provide human-robot awareness of the robot’s location, surroundings, status, and activities, e.g.:

i. Provide location awareness via a map of where the robot is and has been

ii. Provide surroundings awareness via spatial information about the robot’s relationship to the environment, including automatic detection of obstacles

iii. Provide status awareness via automatic diagnosis-the ability for robots to self-inspect for damage-and report to the operator

iv. Provide activities awareness via video and sensor readouts

b. For Multiple Robots

i. Provide identity information about the robots

ii. Provide robot-robot awareness when needed

c. For multiple people:

i. Provide human-human awareness

2. Comprehensibility

a. Lower cognitive load by:

i. Providing fused sensor information

ii. Automatically presenting contextually-appropriate information

b. Provide help in choosing robot modality by determining the most appropriate level of robotic autonomy at any given time

c. Include:

i. A frame of reference

ii. Indicators of robot health/state including camera information

3. Consistency

a. If the operator is controlling multiple robots, the user interface for each should be consistent

b. If modes are used, be consistent in the functionality assigned to manipulators in each mode

4. Directness

a. Provide direct ways to accomplish tasks

i. Available alternatives should be visible

ii. The effect of actions on objects should be visible

5. Efficiency

a. Provide interfaces that support multiple robots in a single window, if possible

b. Minimize the use of multiple windows

c. Put frequently-accessed controls near one another to minimize hand movement

d. Do not include unnecessary information

e. Keep Fitts’ Law in mind when designing controls

6. Proximity

a. Both in controls and in the display, group like objects together

Slide Set #8

Definition of slips & mistakes

· Slips

o Users form an appropriate goal but don’t execute correctly

o Types of Slips:

§ Capture Errors

· Person starts doing intended activity but a familiar activity with same initial sequence “captures” attention

§ Description Errors

· Performing the correct action on the wrong object

· Most frequent when correct and incorrect objects are located near one another

§ Data-driven Errors

· Triggered by sensory data

§ Associative Activation Errors

· Triggered by internal thoughts and associations from prior experience

§ Loss-of-activation Errors

· Forgetting something

§ Mode Errors

· When a person executes a correct sequence but doesn’t realize the system is in the wrong mode

· Mistakes

o Users form the wrong goal as a result of conscious deliberation

Definitions of types of forcing functions

· Strong or physical constraints that make it easy to discover errors

· Types of Forcing Functions:

o Interlock

§ Forces operations to take place in the proper sequence

o Lock-in

§ Prevents user from prematurely stopping an action

o Lock-out

§ Prevents users from taking actions that are dangerous

How to design to minimize errors, including the role of structuring displays to support cognition

Characteristics of RPD/NDM settings

1. Time Pressure

2. High Stakes

3. Experienced Decision Makers

4. Inadequate Information (missing, ambiguous, or erroneous information)

5. Ill-defined goals

6. Poorly-defined Procedures

7. Cue Learning

8. Context (e.g., higher-level goals and stress)

9. Dynamic Conditions

10. Team Coordination

The differences between the Rational Choice and RPD models

· Rational Choice

o Thoroughly canvas a wide range of options

o Survey a full range of objectives

o Carefully weigh the costs, risks, and benefits of each option

o Intensively search for new information in evaluating options

o Assimilate all new information

o Re-examine the positive and negative consequences of each option

o Carefully plan to include contingencies if various risks occur

· RPD (Recognition-Primed Decision making)

o RPD is an outgrowth of Naturalistic Decision Making:

§ The study of how people use their experience to make decisions in field settings

o Definition of Decisions:

§ Choice points where multiple reasonable options are available

§ Regardless of whether the decision-maker actually considers multiple options

o This is what experienced decision-makers do:

§ Compare the situation to patterns or prototypes

§ Quickly evaluate courses of action by imagining how they will be carried out

§ Use the first workable option they can find

§ Imagine how the option will be carried out to spot weaknesses and find ways to avoid these

§ Generate other options if the first one doesn’t work

§ Remain poised to act rather than staying in analysis mode longer than necessary

o The RPD Model

§ Experience the situation in a changing context

§ Perceive situation as typical (a prototype or analogue)

§ Recognize and develop:

· Expectations

· Relevant Cues

· Plausible Goals

· Typical Action

§ Implement course of action

o How to do an RPD interview: First Pass

§ Interview by asking about the tough situations

§ Tape record interview

§ Treat each critical incident as a story

§ Have a checklist of items to probe, e.g.:

· Ways a person’s understanding changed during the episode

· Ways someone with less experience might have faltered

§ Use two analysts

· One to interview and the other to note-take and check whether all items have been covered

o How to do an RPD interview: Second Pass

§ Have interviewees go through story a second time to pin down what happened and when

§ Identify decision points

§ Ask whether interviewee thought about other courses of action

· If so, ask why the choice was made

· If not, ask what about the situation made it obvious

o Analyzing the data and putting it to use

§ Look at the decision strategy used

· Choosing from pre-selected options

· Comparative evaluation

· Novel option

· Recognition decision (singular evaluation)

§ Identify the information used to make decisions

· Where did the information come from?

· Can computer support make it easier to find the information and perform mental simulations?

The 4 “sources of power” used in RPD and their roles in the RPD process

Source	Description
Intuition	Use of experiences to recognize key patterns that indicate the dynamics of a situation
Mental Simulation	Enables decision-makers to imagine how a situation will play out
Metaphor	Suggests parallels between the current situation and a previous one
Storytelling	Consolidation of experiences helps make them available to use in the future

The major components of the RPD model and how they interact:

Slide Set #9

The reasons to evaluate

· Why Perform Evaluations?

o Risk Reduction

§ Evaluation and early redesign reduces the risk that final UI design will not meet users’ needs

o Cost and Schedule Savings

§ Much less expensive to fix user interface problems during early project stages

§ Can avoid schedule slippage due to user interface changes late in the project

· When Should You Evaluate?

o Early design of an artifact to clarify design ideas

o Evaluation of a working prototype

o Refining or maintaining a product

o Exploring a new design concept

BEST TIME FOR INITIAL EVALUATION: BEFORE CODING BEGINS!

The major differences between the three approaches to evaluation (Major Evaluation Techniques)

1. Inspection: experts examine an interface

a. Example: heuristic evaluation

2. Empirical: users involved

a. Example: usability testing

3. Formal methods: analytical techniques

a. Example: Goals, Operators, Methods, Selection Rules

· Heuristic Evaluation

o an approach to evaluation in which knowledge of typical users is applied, often guided by heuristics, to identify usability problems

· How to do a heuristic evaluation

o Identify 3-5 evaluators (inspectors)

o Tailor heuristics, if needed, and discuss tailoring so all evaluators understand heuristic usage

o Each evaluator independently:

§ Examines an interface and judges its compliance with heuristics

§ Rates the severity of each problem found

o After independent inspections, evaluators meet to:

§ Discuss findings

§ Eliminate duplicate problems

§ Agree on ratings and summary findings

o Nielsen’s Heuristics

§ Provide visibility into system status

§ Provide a match between system and real world

§ Allow both user control and freedom

§ Follow standards to ensure consistency

§ Prevent Errors

§ Allow for recognition rather than recall

§ Provide flexibility and efficiency of use

§ Use an aesthetic and minimalist design

§ Help users recognize, diagnose and recover from errors

§ Provide help and documentation

Why heuristic evaluation is effective

· Power of method is in aggregating problems found

o Each inspector (“test users” in graph) may find 20%-50% of problems

o 5 Inspectors may find 75%-80% after aggregation

· Validated by research

Slide Set #10

What WIMP stands for

· Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers

How to characterize interfaces in terms of input and output, devices and methods

1. Advanced Graphical

2. Web

3. Speech/Voice

4. Pen, Gesture, Touch

5. Mobile

6. Appliance

7. Multimodal

8. Shareable

9. Tangible

10. Wearable

11. Augmented and Mixed Reality

12. Robotic

How to apply principles of HCI to non-WIMP interfaces

The “research and design issues” of each of the non-WIMP interaction types from Sharp et al. Ch. 6

· Command Interfaces

o CLI–the most relevant principle is consistency. The method used for labeling/naming the commands should be chosen to be as consistent as possible.

· WIMP/GUI Interfaces

o Windows–the biggest issue is allowing users to easily flow from window to window. The design principles of Spacing, Grouping, and Simplicity should be used (to organize overview of all available/open windows)

o Menus – the most important principle is grouping: like commands should be grouped together and predicted to be in that menu.

o Icons – they should match what the icon will do (i.e., a magnifying glass for searching) and represent real-world mappings. Text can be used to disambiguate similar icons.

· Advanced Graphical Interfaces

o Multimedia – audio triggers imagination, diagrams trigger ideas, text expresses details.

o Virtual Reality and Virtual Environments – needs to be life-like, but can be abstract.

o Information Visualization – needs to be easy to comprehend.

· Web-Based Interfaces – where am I? What’s here? Where can I go? Directness. Website should be compatible with users, such as blind or deaf. Compatible with text-only screen. Compatible with hardware such as slow computers, small screen. Compatible with software, such as browser. Consider foreign people.

· Speech Interfaces – keep commands natural to human speech, easily recover from errors, since it is so error-prone. Understand vague commands. Voice response is male/female/serious/silly/etc…

· Pen, Gesture, and Touchscreen Interfaces – these are used as a form of input

· Appliance Interfaces – simplicity and visibility are paramount. Easy to see and understand when cooking bagel or making coffee. Status information (feedback should be highly visible).

· Mobile Interfaces – speed & efficiency are difficult to achieve compared to non-mobile devices. Space constraints. Make compatible for fat fingers. Apps are scaled down versions of original non-mobile apps. Cut back to only necessary controls and make more “hidden” layers.

· Multimodal Interfaces – idea is to allow people to experience more flexible, efficient, and expressive interface. Many different inputs/outputs can be used at same time. Need to recognize multiple aspects of human behavior instead of just touch or voice.

· Shareable Interfaces – directness. User’s need to be identified. Need to apply principles of collaborative interfaces.

· Tangible Interfaces – explicit mapping between mapping and effect is critical. Should be flexible and simple (i.e.: flexibility & simplicity)

· Augmented & Mixed Reality Interfaces – should be simple and align with the real world. Different for serious (military/medical) versus (games/learning).

· Wearable Interfaces – comfort and portability. Control. Reliable & accurate for heart monitors. Privacy. Hygiene. Social Acceptance. Unknowingly recorded conversations.

· Robotic Interfaces – interface will be expected to show some emotion equivalent to human/animal. Design to be human like (talking) versus robot like (buttons)

Slide Set #11

Multi-touch computing

Different technical approaches

Research approach of incremental experiments

Participatory Design

The definition of participatory design (PD)

· An approach to the assessment, design, and development of technological and organizational systems that places a premium on the active involvement of workplace practitioners (usually potential or current users of the system) in design and decision-making processes

Participatory design tenets (recognize these)

1. Respect the users of technology

a. …regardless of their status in the workplace, technical know-how, or access to the organization’s funding

b. View every participant in a PD project as an expert in what they do, as a stakeholder whose voice needs to be heard

2. Recognize that:

a. Workers are a prime source of innovation

b. Design ideas arise in collaboration with participants from diverse backgrounds

c. Technology is but one option in addressing emergent problems

3. View systems as networks of people, practices, and technology embedded in particular organizational contexts

4. Understand the organization and the relevant work on its own terms, in its own settings

5. Address problems that exist and arise in the workplace, articulated by or in collaboration with the affected parties, rather than attribute from the outside

6. Find concrete ways to improve the working lives of co-participants by, for example:

a. Reducing the tedium associated with work tasks

b. Co-designing new opportunities for exercising creativity

c. Increasing worker control over work content, measurement, and reporting

d. Helping workers communicate and organize across hierarchical lines within the organization and with peers elsewhere

7. Be conscious of one’s own role in PD processes

a. Try to be a “reflective practitioner”

What PICTIVE is

· (Plastic Interface for Collaborative Technology Initiatives through Video Exploration)

o “Plastic” is used here mostly in the sense of “easily molded or changed”

· Non-software based rapid prototyping environment of common office objects

· Ideas is to involve users:

o In requirements refinement (if needed), or

o In brainstorming design (if requirements are concrete)

The basics of how to use PICTIVE

· How to use PICTIVE: Preparation

o Identify and invite a diverse set of stakeholders

§ Include users, designers, implementers

o Ask attendees to prepare materials in advance

§ Ask users to write up step-by-step scenarios of their most important or frequent work tasks

§ Ask designers to prepare a short presentation on requirements and issues that they have identified

§ Ask developers to prepare initial system components and material on the basics of the technical approach

o Organizers gather material and create any specialized props such as paper representations of icons

o Principle of reciprocal preparation: all groups have invested in the session

· How to use PICTIVE: Starting the Session

o Begin session with homework presentations

§ Requirements help ground subsequent discussion

§ Users’ scenarios inform designers and implementers

§ Implementers’ explanation of technical approach helps users to generate a mental model of what is possible

o Presentations provide reciprocal education

· How to use PICTIVE: Engaging in Design

o Design team introduces several issues and asks for the group to generate ideas for resolving them

§ Attendees use paper, pens, Post-it notes, scissors, representations of menus or dialog boxes

o Ideally, session proceeds as a group brainstorming session with no single person driving discussion

§ All participants are given a chance to show and explain their design ideas

o Videotape session for later analysis

§ Concentrate on reason why stakeholders suggest certain design approaches

The main difference between PD and UCD

· User-Centered Design according to Norman

o Make sure that the user:

§ Can figure out what to do

§ Knows what’s going on

o Follow 7 principles for making difficult tasks easier:

§ Use both knowledge in the world and knowledge in the head

§ Simplify the structure of tasks

§ Make things visible

§ Get the mappings right

§ Exploit the power of constraints

§ Design for error

§ When all else fails, standardize

o User Centered Design

§ Early focus on users and tasks

§ Empirical measurement

§ Iterative design

Cartoons on Facebook

2010-12-04T21:53:00.002-05:00

Why are there cartoons on Facebook profiles?

It is supposed to raise awareness for children.

Here is the specific message I received:

That's right friends Family and new comers, we have less then a month to make this thing BIG across the United States and maybe other countries, so please invite as many people as you can and have some fun along the way, Help support this cause PLEASE... .. . all you have to do is change your Profile pictures to a child hood cartoon and have nothing but cartoons on Facebook for a short time... thank you for your time and support

Random Thoughts

2010-11-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

Random Thoughts: "I like the new like button!"

Why are girls posting inches on their Facebook status?

2010-10-22T10:47:00.002-04:00

Answer: It is their shoe size!

Funny Thoughts

2010-10-21T21:24:00.001-04:00

Visit the Funny Thoughts section of the Random Thoughts website to view other people's funny thoughts and add some of your own funny thoughts!

Just Some Crazy Thoughts

2010-10-19T19:06:00.002-04:00

Just Some Crazy Thoughts is a blog that is going to be dedicated to the Crazy Thoughts portion of the Random Thoughts website! Please check it out and feel free to leave some comments!

Crazy Thoughts

2010-10-19T18:59:00.002-04:00

Do you want to read some Crazy Thoughts? If so, visit the Crazy Thoughts section of the Random Thoughts website. It has some of the most crazy thoughts you could imagine. It is worth visiting. While you are there, you can post some of your own crazy thoughts! It will be worth it, trust me!

Random Thoughts

2010-10-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

The links on this blog have been updated and now have all the many great categories on the Random Thoughts website! Check them out and add a couple of your own posts while you are there!

Random Curiosity

2010-10-15T21:06:00.003-04:00

Random Curiosity

Are you randomly curious about any subjects? Do you want to see what other people are curious about? Do you want to share with the world what you are curious about?

Check out the Random Curiosity section of the random thoughts website!

It is perfect if you answered yes to any of the following questions!

Thanks for coming to my blog and reading my entry! Have a good day or night!

Good Bye!

Random Thoughts of the Day

2010-10-08T18:52:00.002-04:00

Random Thoughts of the Day

To see some of the best Random Thoughts of the Day, you will have to visit the site! There are random thoughts from people all around the world! Some are exciting and none are not exciting! See for yourself! Visit the site!

Random Thoughts of the Day

Random Thoughts

2010-09-13T02:11:00.000-04:00

Random Thoughts: "Warm puppy?"

Fiesta 3-Piece Square Place Setting, Chocolate (042648340131)

2010-07-18T12:28:00.000-04:00

Fiesta 3-Piece Square Place Setting, Chocolate (042648340131)

(Kitchen)

Color: Chocolate

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Fiesta Square 3-Piece Place Setting manufactured by The Homer Laughlin China Company. America's largest domestic producer of dinnerware, and the sole manufacturer of all Fiesta dinnerware. All Fiesta pieces are Microwave safe, Oven-proof, Dishwasher safe, Freezerproof, Lead-Free, and Made in America with the implementation of many green practices. The very durable glaze is great for everyday use. Fiesta as a pattern has stood the test of time, and is typically passed down from one generation to the next. We have kept the pattern constant through the years so that you can count on us to be here when you decide to expand or change your collection. New pieces and colors are added every so often to keep things interesting. Currently, Fiesta is the most collected dinnerware in America.

Homer Laughlin

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->Home, Garden & Pets->Categories

026753190553

2010-07-07T18:10:00.001-04:00

Excalibur Motorized Bumper Boat w/Canon

rollover

Excalibur Motorized Bumper Boat w/Canon

(Toy)

Motorized Bumper Boat with squirt gun and Foot Pump/Black
It goes forward/backward/left and right
Easy to put together/easy to control/steering wheel control
Large comfortable design/squirt gun right on the steering wheel
Quiet single motor 1 button accelerator

Retail Value: $119.99
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Full 360deg turn lets you cruise the pool going forward, backward, left and right. Jumbo-sized water cannon adds to the wet fun. Easy to maneuver with large steering wheel and quiet motor. Comes with foot pump.

Archbrook Laguna (formerly BDI)

Accessories:

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Ronnie James Dio Dead

2010-05-16T19:57:00.001-04:00

Holy Diver

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Dio - Sacred Heart: The DVD

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Stand Up and Shout: The Dio Anthology

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Best of Ronnie James Dio (Play It Like It Is)

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Dio - Evil or Divine

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Stand Up And Shout: The Dio Anthology

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The Elf Albums

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Holy Diver

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Sabbath Bloody Sabbath: The Battle for Black Sabbath

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Black Sabbath: Hangin' with Heaven and Hell

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0888345593

2010-02-10T18:24:00.000-05:00

0888345593 - French - English New Testament Diglot (Good News Translation)

(Imitation Leather)

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American Bible Society

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(0888345593)

039897020310

2010-02-10T18:23:00.000-05:00

Wheel Of Fortune Game Show TV Plug & Play Video Game System (039897020310)

(Toy)

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Video Game - Wheel Of Fortune Game Show TV Plug & Play Video Game System - The television game show comes to life in this video game system which plugs directly into your TV. Now you can spin the wheel and aim for big prizes like cars, trips, and cash. Compete with & beat 2 other players in Regular, Jackpot, and Mystery rounds to get to the Bonus Round - just like on the TV show!

Jakks

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(039897020310)

097361389646

2010-02-10T18:16:00.001-05:00

Charmed: The Complete Series - Limited Deluxe Edition (097361389646)

(DVD)

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Charmed recaptured a period in the 1ate 1990s when television's WB network was particularly keen on series about the supernatural and specially-powered characters. The original home of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and future launch pad for Angel and Smallville, the WB debuted Charmed in 1998 with many of the same intriguing ironies that made those other shows click. Specifically, the greater a character's powers, the more vulnerable he or she becomes; the more superhuman, the more painfully obvious one's lonely, fragile humanity. The Halliwells, a trio of witch heroines and siblings at the center of Charmed, are a case in point. Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) returns to her San Francisco family home after losing her job, and moves in with her older sisters Prue (Shannen Doherty) and Piper (Holly Marie Combs). On her first night back, Phoebe finds the Book of Shadows left for them by their late mother and recites a spell giving all three women unique powers they were always meant to have. Prue suddenly has the gift of telekinesis, Piper can make time stand still, and Phoebe can see into the future. All well and good, but along with those extraordinary abilities comes a new awareness of dark forces in the world from which mortals need protection. In some cases, those forces have been plotting a long time to steal the Halliwells magical legacy once they awakened to it--and now they will never let up. Indeed, the forces of the Underworld never do let up in Charmed, giving the Halliwells a major headache for the next eight seasons. Yet the show became about so much more than that, blending (again, like Buffy) the sisters personal lives with their responsibilities as protectors and stewards of magic. Jobs, lovers, marriage, and children were just as prominent in Prues, Phoebes, and Pipers thoughts and emotions as warlocks and leprechauns. In fact, Charmed peaked creatively when the whole of season three concerned the fallout of Phoebes romance and marriage to a disguised demon (Julian McMahon). The series focus at that point was quite gripping, but it was inevitable that subsequent seasons would back off on such a singular perspective and develop a broader range of storylines. A major change in Charmed accompanied the departure of Shannen Doherty from the show at the end of season three, replaced by Rose McGowan as a fourth sister, Paige, unknown to either Phoebe or Piper. While Paige had the same mother (herself a witch) as the other two surviving Halliwell girls, her father was a so-called Whitelighter, essentially an angel. That combination gave Paige unique gifts that made Charmed even more fun (if slightly less compelling). But the loss of Doherty--the shows best actress, who gave at least one bravura performance per season--proved significant. Charmed wasnt quite the same, but it carried on, continuing to make new fans and maintaining a breathless pace and intriguing mix of the arcane and ordinary. --Tom Keogh

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Random Thoughts

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