N341 - Help, Search, Project Finish

Overview 

The Stock Trading site is nearly complete, all that remains of the implementation is to add search and help. A self-critique will serve to identify implementation problems before public release.

The user interface implemented for the project was not designed following any recognized method or practices but was arbitrarily assigned by the instructor. The result is an excellent example of a Web system with a few strengths and many weaknesses. At this point the interface is implemented; the concrete has been poured, any significant changes would be costly. However, as a functioning user interface it does present an opportunity for a critical examination of its flaws.

The assignment then is to add search and help to the implementation and to critique the user interface, offering recommendations for improvement. The lecture notes provide discussion of common practices, reasons for their use, and examples for basing your critique and recommendations.

Assignment

1. Follow analysis and design methods from class notes to design a help system. The system should provide provide help for the stock trading site.
   • Construct a site map containing only the help system. Begin with the start page location through a complete task of discovering help. Assume there are multiple help topics but consider in detail only that for withdrawing a payment from ones account. Also assume there are at least 3 possible methods of payment (e.g. bank transfer, credit card reimbursement, etc.); provide help on only one. Because the complete site page links could be extensive, only show no more than 3 links from pages along the path to the help on your selected method of payment.
   • Mark on the site map the scenario that will be implemented to test the help system using a paper prototype.
   • Implement the paper prototype for testing the scenario.

    

2. Implement site help and search accessible from each page.

• Implement in HTML/XML/XLS/script/graphics/etc. only the portion of the help system implemented in the paper prototype.
• Add the IU site search service; search files in your IU account (e.g. http://homepages.ius.edu/...). See course notes on local search. You can also View Source of this page to see how IU search is implemented.
• To make help and search accessible from each page, considering adding to a navigation element such as top, left or bottom navigation.

3. Prepare a written critique of the project on the following:
   1. Mark and identify on screen shots one violation of accepted user interface practices from each of the 4 class note sections listed below, a total of 4 violations. Reference the practice violated.

       

      1. Designing for Users
      2. Navigation Systems, Site Maps
      3. Page Sizes, Page Margins, Layouts
      4. Concepts and Terminology, What you don't know, Body Type, Display Types

      Windows screen capture: Alt + Prnt Scrn keys capture the currently open window to the clipboard. It can then be pasted into Word, etc.

       

   2. Give written and/or graphical (hand drawn and scanned is OK) suggested improvements.

Testing

Students in ONLY N341 (Dennis and Blaise)

The user interface (implemented in N341) for the stock trading site requires logic and data (implemented in N342 project) to fully test the implementation.

The www.csci.ius.edu server can be used for independently testing the N341 implementation.

1. FTP
   • In browser address enter: ftp://www.csci.ius.edu
   • Login using your IUS username, the password is username.
   • Create a directory on www.csci.ius.edu named N341 (any will do but this might be more memorable).
   • Copy the complete N341 project directory onto www.csci.ius.edu N341 directory. Include the Project.mdb file.
   • Delete ALL ASP files from the directory.
2. Start test by clicking http://www.csci.ius.edu/TEST
3. Follow instructions. Your user interface should be fully functional with live data.

Students in BOTH N341 and N342

Combined testing will be performed as described for N342 Project finish.

 

Turn in - Due on the date listed in the syllabus.

1. OnCourse Drop Box (all students)
   1. The N341\Project directory should include all Word or PDF documents containing:
      • Help - Site map and paper prototype, hand drawn and scanned is OK. CV112 lab has a scanner.
      • Critique
        • Copy of your written project critique.
        • Screen shots - Mark and identify violations of good user interface practices on the screen shots.
   2. Compress the N341\Project folder containing the project files from Assignment 1-3.
      • In Windows Explorer, right-click on the Project folder.
      • Click Send to then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.
      • Project.zip will be created.
   3. Upload Project.zip to your CSCI N341 OnCourse Drop Box using the Display Name of Project.
2. CSCI server (students in N341 only)
   1. Follow the instructions for Testing above. This will allow testing your N341 project as a complete implementation.
3. Email notification to rwisman@ius.edu with subject: YOUR NAME - N341 Project - username