David Dearman | University of Toronto (original) (raw)

Papers by David Dearman

Mobile location-aware devices are poised to influence our social experiences. It is important tha... more Mobile location-aware devices are poised to influence our social experiences. It is important that we explore how these devices influence social behaviours and communication in order to understand their impact and realize their full potential. This thesis presents two complementary field simulations exploring the use of a mobile location-aware device to facilitate rendezvous activities.

ABSTRACT Mobile devices are increasingly being used to access web applications. Unfortunately, th... more ABSTRACT Mobile devices are increasingly being used to access web applications. Unfortunately, the usage model for web applications today is still desktop-centric, in which users work in isolation. As a result, using mobile devices to find or share data, or collaborate while in a social setting is cumbersome at best, and often frustrating.

Abstract In this paper, we present a field study comparing software-based navigation techniques (... more Abstract In this paper, we present a field study comparing software-based navigation techniques (scrollbars, tap-and-drag, and touch-n-go) on mobile devices. In particular, we were interested in exploring the efficiency and user preference of these navigation techniques for different levels of mobility (sitting, walking, and standing) in a naturalistic environment.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that novices do not tend to extract or use data-flow informa... more Abstract Previous studies have shown that novices do not tend to extract or use data-flow information during program comprehension. However, for impact analysis and similar tasks, data-flow information is necessary and highly relevant. Visual data-flow programming languages, such as Prograph/CPX, have been commercially successful, suggesting that they provide effective data-flow representations.

Abstract This ongoing project considers the question of information requirements of the location ... more Abstract This ongoing project considers the question of information requirements of the location consumer (people requesting or wanting location information) in order to make their everyday activities more effective or engaging. Superficially, the question seems simple to resolve. However, initial investigations have shown that a series of in-depth studies are required to elicit these answers. As a result, we have developed a suite of studies as detailed below.

Abstract. This paper presents a field study investigating the behavioral effects of mobile locati... more Abstract. This paper presents a field study investigating the behavioral effects of mobile location-aware computing on rendezvousing. Participants took part in one of three mobile device conditions (a mobile phone, a location-aware handheld, or both a mobile phone and a location-aware handheld) and completed rendezvousing scenarios. The results reveal key differences in communication patterns between the mediums, and in the type of contextual and state information provided.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on the methodological challenges involved in conducting collabo... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on the methodological challenges involved in conducting collaborative mobile computing. We investigated two social navigation studies in which pairs of participants were collaborating together over small, mobile, devices. Both of these studies took place in the field, in outdoor and unstructured environments. We reflect on the difficulties identified in previous literatures in addition to new obstacles we encountered.

This work contributes to the field by not only assessing grounded reactions to current technologi... more This work contributes to the field by not only assessing grounded reactions to current technologies but also using these responses to uncover research and design considerations for new technologies (see the ���Related Work in Pervasive Recording Technologies��� sidebar for more information). ... Method People's understanding of encountered recording technologies���in particular, when considering privacy, security, and control of data���is a highly contextualized, personalized, situated concern. Thus, this study focused on maximizing data collection

The effectiveness of interaction with mobile devices can be impacted by handedness; however, supp... more The effectiveness of interaction with mobile devices can be impacted by handedness; however, support for handedness in the interface is rarely provided. The goal of this article is to demonstrate that handedness is a significant interface consideration that should not be overlooked. Four studies were conducted to explore left���handed user interaction with right���or left���aligned scrollbars on personal digital assistants.

Abstract Community-authored content, such as location specific reviews, offers a wealth of inform... more Abstract Community-authored content, such as location specific reviews, offers a wealth of information about virtually every imaginable location today. In this work, we process Yelp's community-authored reviews to identify a set of potential activities that are supported by the location reviewed. Using 14 test locations we show that the majority of the 40 most common results per location (determined by verb-noun pair frequency) are actual activities supported by their respective locations, achieving a mean precision of up to 79.3%.

Rendezvousing is a basic component of social navigation where individuals or groups of individual... more Rendezvousing is a basic component of social navigation where individuals or groups of individuals agree to meet at a prearranged time and place. There are many possible outcomes of a rendezvous resulting from the different rendezvousing behaviors which have been explored and identified [1, 2] by Martin Colbert. Colbert has identified problematic aspects of rendezvousing, including stress and lost opportunity along with a variety of rendezvousing scenarios.

Abstract Location awareness can help facilitate a rendezvous of two or more persons. To further e... more Abstract Location awareness can help facilitate a rendezvous of two or more persons. To further enhance the rendezvous experience, we conducted two complementary field studies to identify what information in a location-aware map application is important to rendezvous individuals (study 1) and to explore the use of autofocus, our automation technique to reduce user interactions with the rendezvous application while still providing relevant information to assist users with their navigation task (study 2).

ABSTRACT People often complete tasks and to-dos not only for themselves but also for others in th... more ABSTRACT People often complete tasks and to-dos not only for themselves but also for others in their household. In this work, we examine how household members share and accomplish errands both individually and together. We conducted a three-week diary study with eight households to understand the types of errands that family members and roommates share with each other. We explore their motivations for offering and requesting help to complete their errands and the variety of methods for doing so.

Emerging technologies such as location-awareness devices have the potential to significantly impa... more Emerging technologies such as location-awareness devices have the potential to significantly impact users' social coordination, particularly while rendezvousing. It is important that we explore how new technologies influence social behaviours and communication in order to realize their full potential. This paper presents a field study investigating the use of mobile location-aware devices for rendezvous activities.

Abstract We would like to say that experience prototyping and Wizard of Oz prototyping, taken tog... more Abstract We would like to say that experience prototyping and Wizard of Oz prototyping, taken together, constitute a suitable alternative to true contextual evaluation for early prototypes, one gaining realism at the expense of impartiality, the other impartiality at the expense of realism. As our experiences show, however, each pervasive application design poses unique challenges that you must consider when applying these approaches.

Abstract Triggering shortcuts or actions on a mobile device often requires a long sequence of key... more Abstract Triggering shortcuts or actions on a mobile device often requires a long sequence of key presses. Because the functions of buttons are highly dependent on the current application's context, users are required to look at the display during interaction, even in many mobile situations when eyes-free interactions may be preferable. We present Virtual Shelves, a technique to trigger programmable shortcuts that leverages the user's spatial awareness and kinesthetic memory.

Mobile location-aware devices are poised to influence our social experiences. It is important tha... more Mobile location-aware devices are poised to influence our social experiences. It is important that we explore how these devices influence social behaviours and communication in order to understand their impact and realize their full potential. This thesis presents two complementary field simulations exploring the use of a mobile location-aware device to facilitate rendezvous activities.

ABSTRACT Mobile devices are increasingly being used to access web applications. Unfortunately, th... more ABSTRACT Mobile devices are increasingly being used to access web applications. Unfortunately, the usage model for web applications today is still desktop-centric, in which users work in isolation. As a result, using mobile devices to find or share data, or collaborate while in a social setting is cumbersome at best, and often frustrating.

Abstract In this paper, we present a field study comparing software-based navigation techniques (... more Abstract In this paper, we present a field study comparing software-based navigation techniques (scrollbars, tap-and-drag, and touch-n-go) on mobile devices. In particular, we were interested in exploring the efficiency and user preference of these navigation techniques for different levels of mobility (sitting, walking, and standing) in a naturalistic environment.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that novices do not tend to extract or use data-flow informa... more Abstract Previous studies have shown that novices do not tend to extract or use data-flow information during program comprehension. However, for impact analysis and similar tasks, data-flow information is necessary and highly relevant. Visual data-flow programming languages, such as Prograph/CPX, have been commercially successful, suggesting that they provide effective data-flow representations.

Abstract This ongoing project considers the question of information requirements of the location ... more Abstract This ongoing project considers the question of information requirements of the location consumer (people requesting or wanting location information) in order to make their everyday activities more effective or engaging. Superficially, the question seems simple to resolve. However, initial investigations have shown that a series of in-depth studies are required to elicit these answers. As a result, we have developed a suite of studies as detailed below.

Abstract. This paper presents a field study investigating the behavioral effects of mobile locati... more Abstract. This paper presents a field study investigating the behavioral effects of mobile location-aware computing on rendezvousing. Participants took part in one of three mobile device conditions (a mobile phone, a location-aware handheld, or both a mobile phone and a location-aware handheld) and completed rendezvousing scenarios. The results reveal key differences in communication patterns between the mediums, and in the type of contextual and state information provided.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on the methodological challenges involved in conducting collabo... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on the methodological challenges involved in conducting collaborative mobile computing. We investigated two social navigation studies in which pairs of participants were collaborating together over small, mobile, devices. Both of these studies took place in the field, in outdoor and unstructured environments. We reflect on the difficulties identified in previous literatures in addition to new obstacles we encountered.

This work contributes to the field by not only assessing grounded reactions to current technologi... more This work contributes to the field by not only assessing grounded reactions to current technologies but also using these responses to uncover research and design considerations for new technologies (see the ���Related Work in Pervasive Recording Technologies��� sidebar for more information). ... Method People's understanding of encountered recording technologies���in particular, when considering privacy, security, and control of data���is a highly contextualized, personalized, situated concern. Thus, this study focused on maximizing data collection

The effectiveness of interaction with mobile devices can be impacted by handedness; however, supp... more The effectiveness of interaction with mobile devices can be impacted by handedness; however, support for handedness in the interface is rarely provided. The goal of this article is to demonstrate that handedness is a significant interface consideration that should not be overlooked. Four studies were conducted to explore left���handed user interaction with right���or left���aligned scrollbars on personal digital assistants.

Abstract Community-authored content, such as location specific reviews, offers a wealth of inform... more Abstract Community-authored content, such as location specific reviews, offers a wealth of information about virtually every imaginable location today. In this work, we process Yelp's community-authored reviews to identify a set of potential activities that are supported by the location reviewed. Using 14 test locations we show that the majority of the 40 most common results per location (determined by verb-noun pair frequency) are actual activities supported by their respective locations, achieving a mean precision of up to 79.3%.

Rendezvousing is a basic component of social navigation where individuals or groups of individual... more Rendezvousing is a basic component of social navigation where individuals or groups of individuals agree to meet at a prearranged time and place. There are many possible outcomes of a rendezvous resulting from the different rendezvousing behaviors which have been explored and identified [1, 2] by Martin Colbert. Colbert has identified problematic aspects of rendezvousing, including stress and lost opportunity along with a variety of rendezvousing scenarios.

Abstract Location awareness can help facilitate a rendezvous of two or more persons. To further e... more Abstract Location awareness can help facilitate a rendezvous of two or more persons. To further enhance the rendezvous experience, we conducted two complementary field studies to identify what information in a location-aware map application is important to rendezvous individuals (study 1) and to explore the use of autofocus, our automation technique to reduce user interactions with the rendezvous application while still providing relevant information to assist users with their navigation task (study 2).

ABSTRACT People often complete tasks and to-dos not only for themselves but also for others in th... more ABSTRACT People often complete tasks and to-dos not only for themselves but also for others in their household. In this work, we examine how household members share and accomplish errands both individually and together. We conducted a three-week diary study with eight households to understand the types of errands that family members and roommates share with each other. We explore their motivations for offering and requesting help to complete their errands and the variety of methods for doing so.

Emerging technologies such as location-awareness devices have the potential to significantly impa... more Emerging technologies such as location-awareness devices have the potential to significantly impact users' social coordination, particularly while rendezvousing. It is important that we explore how new technologies influence social behaviours and communication in order to realize their full potential. This paper presents a field study investigating the use of mobile location-aware devices for rendezvous activities.

Abstract We would like to say that experience prototyping and Wizard of Oz prototyping, taken tog... more Abstract We would like to say that experience prototyping and Wizard of Oz prototyping, taken together, constitute a suitable alternative to true contextual evaluation for early prototypes, one gaining realism at the expense of impartiality, the other impartiality at the expense of realism. As our experiences show, however, each pervasive application design poses unique challenges that you must consider when applying these approaches.

Abstract Triggering shortcuts or actions on a mobile device often requires a long sequence of key... more Abstract Triggering shortcuts or actions on a mobile device often requires a long sequence of key presses. Because the functions of buttons are highly dependent on the current application's context, users are required to look at the display during interaction, even in many mobile situations when eyes-free interactions may be preferable. We present Virtual Shelves, a technique to trigger programmable shortcuts that leverages the user's spatial awareness and kinesthetic memory.