Pattern Languages in Interaction Design

In this paper, writer investigate how the Pattern Languages in Interaction Design can be structured in a meaningful and practical way. The issue of structuring collections of patterns into Pattern Languages becomes relevant,both from a theoretical and a practical perspective. They also described a way to apply the concept of a pattern language in Interaction Design using Web Design as an example. And this approach follows a top-down design methodology where high-level design problems are gradually decomposed into smaller design problems.

The basic assumption in the concept of a pattern language is that patterns are related to each other, forming a network of connected patterns. These relationships are at the heart of the pattern language because they create actual additional value over single patterns.

When looking at such a networked set of patterns, we can also see layers of patterns emerging, when going from high level patterns to lower level patterns. These layers are rough delineations of the typical levels that are encountered in design. The levels we have identified so far are posture, experience, task and action.

Here writer also discussed which tools we used for the pattern languages. A web-based tool environment is probably best suited for the task since a pattern language itself already consist of hyperlinked patterns that allow users to go from one pattern to another.

Pattern languages also worked as mental models. A pattern language can be seen as a mental model (van der Veer & Puerta Melguizo, 2002) that a designer has. Writing down design knowledge using a pattern language is an activity of making a structured explicit representation of ones mental model.

Reference:

Martijn van Welie,Gerrit C. van der Veer; Pattern Languages in Interaction Design: Structure and Organization

http://welie.com/papers/Welie-Interact2003.pdf

PACT analysis : Check out bus schedule on a web travel planner

Introduction:
PACT analysis is one of the procedures that is used to determine the utility of an interactive system. It also can refer as a framework for designing interaction systems. PACT analysis contains some factors that is People: relevant user characteristics and skills, Activities: how is the activity currently carried out, why and what can be improved, Context: the environment of the activity and Technology: what tools are used now, and how might new developments be used. Depending on those factors we have started our analyzing process.

Comparing among topic we get interest in Check out bus schedule on a web travel planner. We start our task searching online with different transport company who have web based and online facilities. We decide all the factors of PACT analysis should be supported and we select Swebus transport which will help us to accomplish our analysis.

   

Swebus is a renowned company in Sweden. They provide all the facilities and traveling with Swebus that   is very enjoyable. We enter into the Swebuss web site and have a look in whole. There are different option and feature and traveler can easily get all information include bus/time schedule and fix a trip.

About the users:

For our chosen system, we can identify a user group who are computer skilled and they need to travel on vacation or business purpose. To search a bus schedule, this user group has no specific age limit and sex as a factor. They have to know how to operate computer and browse the web pages.

The current IT solution SweBus portal is not suited for the user groups who have no computer skill. The solution is not affordable if the user has no Internet enable device.

About the activity:

The main activity is to check the bus time schedule in the web portal. For this user should the web portal link where they will find a search box to search their required bus schedule. After retrieving information from the web, they can check whether the time is suitable or not. And if it is ok then user can book ticket or buy the ticket through the online payment system. The user checks the schedule often when they are interested to travel to different location. But they checks more in vacation season.

The system should react very fast. Because in the same time, many user can search schedule together and book ticket. If the system is slow then different user can find different information for the same schedule which is wrong. And for limited number of ticket, while one user is searching the schedule first, another user can book that ticket.

The schedule search is performed by individually where traveler will be the only user and the system performs as an opposite part. The solution can display wrong information if there is any technical problem inside. And if the user makes any mistake like providing wrong travel information to the system, the system will display irrelevant information. If the user provides wrong information to receive the ticket confirmation, then he will not receive the confirmation after paying the fare.

The SweBus has all the above properties and it fulfills the basic activities and sub activities for the system. The user can search his bus schedule in www.swebus.se providing date and location. Then he can select his schedule and book for tickets through online payment system. The ticket confirmation can be sent to user’s email or mobile.

About the context:

Some of the factors like smooth Internet connectivity, user friendly web design, browser compatibility, and sufficient data are necessary for the web based travel planner. If the Internet connectivity is not fast then the user can be bored in searching his plan and buying their tickets. The portal should have nice user friendly interface where user can easily find out his input fields, buttons, etc. The browser should be browser compatible because different users can have different browser and all browser should have same information and format. The information has to be displayed in nice format as if they can chose their trip and book ticket.

The SweBus portal has a nice and friendly interface, different language facilities, browser compatibility and easy and fast data generation system.

About the technology:

To input information in the web portal, user should go through a connected Internet device and browse the portal with correct web address. Then providing input like date, location in the search area. After submitting the information, the list of data will be displayed according to date, time, fare etc. and the output information can be displayed on the web page, in the user email address or in the mobile phone via sms. And the data should be centrally stored in the central database.

The SweBus has departure and destination list from where user can easily select his location. And date can be selected manually or from the calendar. The information is displayed in the list with detail information like total journey time, fare, location etc. user can select and book his trip by selecting the check box. The information is automatically stored in the cart box and user can pay by his credit card. But in this solution user can not book multiple ticket at a time.

Conclusion:

To implement such a new system, The specific requirements for this solution are a nice web portal, high data transfer speed, secured hosting server, proper update and management. The content should be secured as there will happen money transaction. The database structure should be well structured for fast data retrieval. And there should have features for multiple ticket purchasing system.

Group assignment - Syncronous Collaboration

This assignment gives us some thoughts and ideas that is how to communicate with each other. It’s a nice experience about on our distance learning and group works. We made our group call conference through skype.

Here we all share our views and thoughts about our surroundings. Then we discuss on some issues like local environment, neighbors, accessibility, security, cleanness, peace, nature, history etc. We also write these ideas in google docs simultaneously and also post some photos of our outside environment where we live in. 


After we made a combined report for the submission.

Introducing . . .

Hi, I am Nijam Uddin from Bangladesh having this Interactive Media Design program at Sodertorn Hogskola. From the past I have a lot  of interest to do something in this field so that it has a vast opportunity that can interact within the any system. Wish that I can do. 

Why interactive media Interesting?

Interactive Media Design interesting to me because it covers a broad spectrum of professions and industries. Usually defined, this condition is characterized by the designers of all products and systems that the user can interact. This also covers several areas like business information systems, natural products, environmental products, services and several other systems all need designers of interactive media. Most Interactive Media Design specialists are working with complex technical system,such as software, mobile devices and other electronic devices. I have a lot of interests to work with that in future too.