Project 2 for G5BUID - Task analysis

Due date: 15 December, 1997, 3pm GMT.

Each of these parts should generate about a page or two of word processed text with supporting documents as necessary. Turn in printed copies to Farida.

Worth 25% of the marks for this module. Your name should be on every page, and each page should contain information about only one question.

Papers should be single stapled in the upper left hand corner. Binding or page protectors will be removed during grading and will not be returned (so don't use them).

Part 1. KLM (no more than 2 pages) 25% of project 2

The University of Nottingham is considering changing its computer addresses from the abbreviated form (e.g., psychology.nottingham and cs.nott) to a full form for clarity (e.g., psychology.nottingham). What are the potential costs and benefits of this approach. (Leave whether it is a good idea to the person balancing the costs and benefits!)

Part 2. GOMS (no more than 2 pages) 25% of project 2

Evaluate the effect of the software described below. You can (and will have to) make assumptions, but be sure to explain and justify them. Comment on learning time, time to use, and amount of knowledge necessary. (If this is not a complete enough description for your analysis, make reasonable assumptions, and note them clearly.)

AltCDEF ("alternate control definition") from Alexander Colwell is a system extension that enhances the Mac's scroll bars. Drop AltCDEF into your System folder, and the up and down scroll arrows each become two-headed arrows, so you can scroll easily in either direction without mousing all around the screen. Extra scrolling functions are controlled by Option- and Shift-clicking. (Note that you may have to click once in the arrows before all the details of the scrollbars appear.)

 

This is how the scrolls bars currently look on the Macintosh.

Part 3. Task analysis (2 pages) 50% of project 2

Prepare a description of the activities involved in sending a single email message. Try to include as much information as necessary, and choose and justify an appropriate representation. Explain your assumptions. (about 1 page)

Imagine basing a manual on the description. What else would a novice (who does not about email and the internet) need to know? (about 0.5 page)