A346 - 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. 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, design methods discussed in class to:
   • Construct map of help system with the start page(s) location, hand drawn is OK. Mark on the map a scenario that will be implemented using a paper prototype.
   • Implement paper prototype for testing the scenario.
      
2. Implement site help accessible from each page.

• Implement in HTML/XML/XLS/script/graphics/etc. the portion of the help implemented in the paper prototype.
• Add the IU site search service (consider adding to a navigation element such as top, left or bottom navigation); search files in your IU account (e.g. http://homepages.ius.edu/...).
• Verify search implementation.

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.
   2. Give written or graphical (hand drawn is OK) suggested improvements.
   • Designing for Users
   • Navigation Systems, Site Maps
   • Page Sizes, Page Margins, Layouts
   • Concepts and Terminology, What you don't know, Body Type, Display Types

Testing

The user interface (implemented in A346) for the stock trading site requires logic and data (implemented in A348 project) to fully test the implementation. The www.csci.ius.edu server can be used for testing.

1. FTP
   • In browser address enter: ftp://www.csci.ius.edu
   • Login using your IUS username and password.
   • Create a directory on www.csci.ius.edu named A346 (any will do but this might be more memorable).
   • Copy the complete A346 project directory onto www.csci.ius.edu A346 directory. Delete ALL ASP files from the directory.
2. Start test by clicking http://www.csci.ius.edu/TEST/A346A348Test.asp.

Turn in

1. Cover Page - Your name, date, A346 Project Finish. Staple all pages together.
2. Help - Map and paper prototype.
3. Critique
   • Copy of your written project critique.
   • Screen shots - Mark and identify violations of good user interface practices on the screen shots.
4. Implementation
   1. FTP
      • In browser address enter: ftp://www.csci.ius.edu
      • Login using your IUS username and password.
      • Create a directory on www.csci.ius.edu named A346 (any will do but this might be more memorable).
      • Copy the complete A346 project directory onto  www.csci.ius.edu A346 directory. Delete ALL ASP files from the directory.
      • If you are in both A346 and A348 courses, create a directory on www.csci.ius.edu named Project that contains the combined files from both courses.
   2. Start test by clicking http://www.csci.ius.edu/TEST/A346A348Test.asp.
   3. Email notification to rwisman@ius.edu with subject: A346 Project Finish

      Copy yourself to verify that email correct.