davidpaulrosser{blog}

Windows Live Dock

I recently completed the Windows Live Dock application. Before I show the finished product im going to detail what this product does and why it does it.

Product details

Windows Live Dock was designed and developed to help anyone with little Windows OS (Operating System) knowledge. The application enables users to access essential programs they frequently use whilst providing a fun and interactive experience. The user engages with the application teaching them the simple Windows interactive elements within the OS. By the applications default settings the user has access to the following programs:

Windows Explorer – Search

The user can search through the OS finding documents easier than the normal search methods within the OS.

Windows Internet Explorer – Google Homepage

The user can launch their default web browser which takes them to the Google homepage by default. I choose to use Google over other websites as it’s simplistic and easy to use.

Windows Live Email

The user can access their emails with their default email application. When the application launches it opens a new message for the user. This was the only way I could launch Windows Live Mail without simulating it like most of the other windows.

Windows WordPad

Here the user can quickly write something down. If the user does not have access to a word processor application within Windows, they can use WordPad. Which is a free, user friendly alternative.

Windows Recycle Bin

The user can delete files through dragging and dropping files into this window (Most interactive and fun way). This is one of the methods a Windows user can delete a file or folder. Other methods are right-clicking on a folder or file and clicking delete from the context menu.

Windows Update

Here the user can download the latest updates from Microsoft. Ensuring their computer is protected against the latest threats and is up to date with the latest software updates.

Windows Ease of Access Center

This is probably the most important shortcut in this application. The user can customize the easability of Windows by changing the following settings:

• Start Magnifier
• Start Narrator
• Start On-Screen Keyboard
• Set up High Contrast
• Use the computer without a display
• Make the computer easier to see
• Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard
• Make the mouse easier to use
• Make the keyboard easier to use
• Use text or visual alternatives for sounds
• Make it easier to focus on tasks

Windows Media Player

Here the user can listen to music on Windows or a connected device. It alse provides them with the ability to listen to their favourite radio stations, download new music and watch DVD’s.

The application

In our last presentation before the December break Giles asked the question “How would the user run the application?”. This made me rethink about the distribution of the application. For example, if the user didn’t have internet capabilities how would they get hold of the application.

So instead of creating a micro-site for the application, I decided to produce a package for the end user. The package would include:

• DVD case
• Windows Live Dock on DVD

The DVD runs a setup application where the user can install Adobe Air and Windows Live Dock. The user also has the ability to watch video tutorials on how to perform each task successfully. This way the user has a guide throughout the process to help them achieve the developers (myself) intentions.

Here’s a graph of the user’s actions for the installation.

1 – 2)

User places DVD in computer

3)

Install screen loads. User clicks install. If user needs help, the user can click the Help button symbolized as the (?).

4)

User can watch video tutorial on required actions. The help text tells user to watch the video then click the install Air button.

5)

User can watch video tutorial on required actions. The help text tells user to watch the video then click the install Windows Live Dock button.

6)

Installation Completed. User can watch video tutorial on how to use the Dock. Help button tells user to close window after watching the video tutorial.

The final product

You can see the final product by clicking here.

Conclusion

Playing with the concepts of interactivity and creating something new and innovative is a hard challenge in modern digital media. It can either require hours of research or a single moment where an idea just clicks in your mind. My final idea isn’t new, but it’s an idea to help and solve an issue. It breaks down the barrier of complexity in Windows for the user.
Interactivity should be for everyone. This means the designer’s need to take into consideration not just the target audience for the product, but also other user’s who might use the product.

My idea of creating an accessible and easy-to-use application for Windows is something that hasn’t been developed for the platform. The user is required to have necessary knowledge of the OS in order to successfully achieve their goal within the OS environment. My design was simplistic, it needed to be in order to be successful with my target audience.
The installer of the application removed unnecessary information and just displayed what needed to be displayed. Using big buttons with video’s made the installer more helpful and easier to use.
If I had more time with this project I would of liked to add more features. One feature would be the functionality of adding and removing additional programs/ shortcuts to the dock. This would of created another level of interactivity within the dock, and would of made it customizable for the user.

In my theoretical framework I talked about how learning computer tools can give opportunities to elderly people (Shneiderman and Plasiant, 2009). They may not of had the chance to learn how to use computers in their childhood / adulthood. As computer’s can provide entertainment and a gateway to social interaction via networking sites, I think it’s important to give the elderly computer user’s a chance. There’s no better time than now than to be connected with your friends and family.

I have achieved what I set out to accomplish with this idea. In the process I have learnt new technologies such as Adobe Air API’s within the AS3 environment.
With the help and criticism from the course lecturer’s and students I have created something that’s helpful for the end user.

Possible ideas?

I have a few possible ideas from my research.

I recently saw an advert on co2 emissions on TV (which you can watch here). The advert features a car’s exhaust in the first scene. Its in the perspective of an industrial tower producing a load of co2 emmisons. The camera zooms out showing the car. The voice over explains how car’s are the second biggest contributor to co2 emissions.

My idea was to create an installation, based on what could happen in the future if we don’t act now. The installation would be placed in a city environment. Capturing a video feed from the street. This video feed would be manipulated into five rectangles for instance. Each rectangle could represent 20 years in advance from the other. A tagline could say “Act on co2 emissions”, lower your carbon footprint. This would engage the street passer’s by with the subject as Adobe did with their brand.

My second idea is virtual identities. How we digitize our lives within modern culture. Relating back to a university trip to Tent London there was an interactive installation based on Gold as obsession.

The installation allows the audience to explore the obsession with super-stardom and the extravagance that accompanies it.

My idea is to develop an installation which allows the user to view themselves as a digital form. The installation would capture their image and digitize it in a metal pin art type effect. Each pin would represent something about them. This would hopefully show the user that their online identity doesn’t replicate their true personality.

Trip to Digit London

On the 19th October our class took a trip to Digit London. Here’s a brief description about them taken from their website’s about section:

Digit is a London-based interactive communications agency. We believe in using technology to make life easier and more enjoyable, not to complicate things further. It’s an approach we call ‘Simple Human Interaction’. Source.

A couple of Digit’s in-house workers showed us a variety of projects. These projects ranged from Interactive installations such as the Sony Ericsson’s Cybershot installation to personal R&D projects.

This installation was designed to promote Sony’s new Cybershot camera phone. It let people interact with the phone differently to show the phone’s new features. This was captured through body motion. Getting the public to do something fun and capturing it in motion engaged the user with the product.

The reason why this was so successful fall’s back to Digit’s approach to their work: ‘Simple human interaction’. This is the concept I want to push forward within my interactive theory.

I can see why that approach has made Digit a successful business. In my opinion, Interactivity need’s simplicity to function properly. Creating something interactive that is extremely complex ruins the whole experience. Interactivity should be fun and easy to engage with.

Idea based on ‘Simple human interaction’

A few months back I remember my girlfriend’s grandad using a laptop for the first time. He had trouble understanding the basics concepts of interactivity within the operating systems UI. The problems were program opening and finding. For most computer users these tasks are very basic to do. But for the generation that grew up with limited technology these tasks are difficult to perform and understand.

My idea was to develop an application style dock for Windows. The user can add items to the dock, open applications, providing easability for the user. Basicly acting as the shortcut navigation to the operating system. Think of it as the equivalent to the Mac OSX dock.

Human computer interaction (HCI)

I’ve started to research into the idea mentioned above. I wanted to include some theories within my Theorectical Framework. I came accross Human Computer Interaction (HCI) which Jack Witherdean has talked about on his blog post.

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of how people design, implement, and use interactive computer systems, and how computers affect individuals, organizations, and society. Source.

One of HCI’s goals is to improve interacitvity between people and computers. This is exactly what im trying to get accross with this idea. I believe that making something thats easily accessible and usable will improve HCI.

Other existing dock’s

In order to design and develop a successful dock I firstly need to look at existing available docks:

Stardock’s objectDock

“ObjectDock is a program that adds a skinnable dock to your Windows desktop. It is one of the most popular desktop enhancement programs available.” Source.

Pros and Cons of Stardock’s ObjectDock:

Pro’s

• Equivalent of OSX dock
• Basic version free
• Magnifications of icons
• SDK for creating ObjectDock docklets

Con’s

• Requires Windows XP/Vista
• Price for full version

ObjectDock is a fantastic recreation of the Mac’s Dock in OSX. It provides Windows users the ability to customize their own personal dock. Either working with or without Windows taskbar. ObjectDock is a good example of the functionality Im going for within my dock.

Mac OSX dock

“The Dock in Mac OS X provides fast, one-click access to frequently used applications, folders, files, and even downloads from the Internet. The Finder makes working with your files and documents as easy as browsing your iTunes library.” Source.

The dock in OSX is an essential part in which users operate within OSX. The dock has been designed to allow users to access files, open applications and search through the hard drive with ease.

Pro’s

• Visually pleasing
• Re-sizable
• Magnifications of icons
• Light’s indicate running applications

Con’s

• Labels only appear when mouse is over
• Applications move place when applications are added and removed, causing confusion
• The size of the dock (normal size) within the OSX UI

What I like about the dock is that is pretty straight forward to use. The icons clearly represent the programs they correspond too. The only problems I have with the dock is that the features are too hidden. For example, to re-size the dock you need to click and drag on the dotted lines. If you didn’t read that in the manual there would be no clear indication of how to do it. Another problem would be the application titles. They only appear when the mouse has rolled over the icons. This could be a problem to someone who may have trouble relating to the images within the icons.

The University of the Third Age

Whilst I was discussing my idea with Giles (one of our course lecturers) he mentioned The University of the Third Age.

“U3A stands for the University of the Third Age, which is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. It consists of local U3As all over the UK, which are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers. Local U3As are learning cooperatives which draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership. The teachers learn and the learners teach. Between them U3As offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and walking. A typical U3A has about 250 members but could be as small as 12 and as large as 2000.

The U3A approach to learning is – learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained.” Source.

I thought it would be a good idea if I were to contact the U3A and talk about this idea with their IT department. I have sent an email to the U3A about the dock I intend to design and develop.

Ease of access in Windows

Accessibility and easability in Windows:

Windows has many built in features for its users. The main feature for easability is the Ease of Access Center.

Firstly, im going to say its not easy to find. Unless you know how to navigate through the OS. There are a number of ways to access Ease of Access Center. The first is through Start – Search:

The second through Desktop – Personalize:

When you launch the Ease of Access Center you have a variety of options to change:

As you can see from the picture of the window you have numerous options to help improve the easability of the OS for the user. Probably the most used feature within the Ease of Access Center is optimizing the visual display.

I think all of these features are essential to include within an operating system. The only downside to it is finding the feature. It would be a good idea to have a shortcut within my application to launch the Ease of Access Center.

Design and development

The previous Wednesday and Thursday I dicussed my design and idea with Giles and Andrew (two of my course lecturers). Giles and Andrew constructively criticized my design. Andrew talked about making the dock an interactive desktop environment. This was a good concept. But the application would have been full screen and the user wouldn’t be able to select anything on the actual desktop.

Giles mentioned that I should have an orb shaped dock. At first I was unsure of how this would look and feel within the Windows OS. I was keen to see if this would work instead of a rectangular dock that has to many similarities to the Mac’s dock.

I found a design someone came up with on Deviant Art:

The design has a very clean and simplistic aesthetic. The functionality of this design would be very user friendly. It relates to the iPod’s circular navigation, which I’ve mentioned in my Theorectical Framework.

I started to develop this idea further:

When I started to write a class for the navigation items I came across a big problem. Adobe Air doesn’t allow the launch of executable files (.exe) from the application, for security purposes. After reading through the Air documentation I realized that you can access the user’s directory, but you can’t open a new window through Windows Explorer. This would leave limited functionality to my dock. The only part that the user could interact with would be the items that load up a web page.

My other alternative is to make a flash projector (.exe) which has fscommands. Fscommands has the ability to launch folders and programs. The downside to this alternative is the Flash Player Chrome that it runs with. For example, the picture above is a transparent window, with the default Windows, window theme removed.