Challis Hodge’s UXblog

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers have developed a scheme to solve a fundamental difficulty with distributed grid computing: coordinating the efforts of all computers. The simple solution avoids the need to have a global supervisor, which would introduce scaling problems. Each individual computer makes occasional checks with randomly-chosen others, to ensure it is properly synchronized. The result is a self-stabilising effect on the system as a whole; processors that are ahead with their calculations are asked by others to wait for the next batch of data.

Are you the unb�ring type? First click the television to enjoy some hilarious adverts! After you’ve yucked it up, head over to the unb�ring community to give or get some advice on interior design.

Specially tailored for working design professionals, the MDM can be completed full-time in two semesters or part-time in 4 or 6 semesters. It draws on the Institute of Design�s particular strengths in design methodology, allowing practitioners with established studio and project management skills to develop additional competency in methods like user observation and research, prototyping, interaction design, visualization and strategic design planning.

The MDM is ideal for the mid-career designer seeking a stepping-stone to management, and the ability to drive design decisions and product development strategy in conjunction with marketing, finance and other functions. The user-centered methods taught in the MDM provide a way to support proposed solutions with hard research and a clear business case. From an employer�s perspective, designers with a toolkit of these methods are invaluable as leaders of the innovation and development process.
Contact: www.id.iit.edu/grad/mdm.html

Mike Kuniavsky offers up ten tips for conducting a successful nondirected interview.

The message is clear: without thorough planning, your intranet could face extinction. Good advice here for Intranet decision makers, designers and developers.

In this Boxes and Arrows feature, Bob Baxley covers the difference between Web applications and content-based Web sites, as well as the unique design challenges associated with Web applications.

A few good points in this article.

“In traditional user-centred design, focus is on users� needs and their use of the product, while marketing is left to the marketing department. On the web, usability and marketing go hand in hand. Whether commercial or not, a web site has to meet the need of its users and at the same time convince them to take action, for the objectives behind the site to be meet. For a site to meet its strategic objectives, it has to orient and direct its target audience through the process of conversion, whether that conversion is buying a product, subscribing to a newsletter, making a phone call, or exploring related information. To incorporate such objectives, we have to think beyond the boundaries of ease of use.”

“iT” is a 12.1 inch fully interactive touch-screen monitor located in the passenger area of NYC taxicabs. “iT” is powered by a computer invisible to the passenger and updated routinely via a wireless connection. “IT” provides the taxi rider with current news, sports, weather, local dining information, public service announcements, entertainment guides, emergency information and continuous changing advertising messages.

Of course what we’re really talking about here is a captive audience for advertisers. Nonetheless it has great potential. A directions feature my not be bad to track your cab’s actual vs. fastest route.