Monday, May 28, 2012

Downloads - Gapminder.org

Downloads - Gapminder.org

A great example of what happens if you combine good visualisation with some carefully collected data.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Postdoc Position in Mobile Human Computer Interaction

Gerd is getting the Ubicomp group back to strength with this. I look forward to the lab getting more use.
Open University - Computing Department
Temporary contract until 31 January 2015
Based in Milton Keynes

Closing date: noon on 7 June 2012.

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AEL512/research-associate-in-mobile-human-computer-interaction/

The Computing Department at the Open University is looking for a
Research Associate in the area of Mobile Human Computer Interaction.
The post is available in the EU-funded GAMBAS project. The main
objective of GAMBAS is to develop fundamental technologies for
context-aware, behaviour-driven services for innovative public
transportation applications.

The post holder will conduct research in mobile user interfaces for
public transport systems, with a particular focus on proactive
services that predict user movement and information needs. You will
apply human-centred design methods to create engaging mobile user
experiences, and use empirical research methods to conduct user
studies and field trials.

The post holder will be expected to develop proposals for individual
or joint research and contribute to writing bids for research funding.

To apply you must hold a first degree in the areas of computer
science, human-computer interaction, electronic engineering,
mathematics or a related discipline, and a PhD relevant to the
research area or equivalent qualifications. Also, you should have
demonstrated your research competence through high-quality
publications in top conferences in the area of mobile computing,
pervasive computing, human-computer interaction and/or machine
learning. Strong practical software development skills are required
for both posts.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Gerd Kortuem
(http://www.kortuem.com) at the Ubiquitous Computing and
Sustainability Lab, Department of Computing, The Open University.

Closing date: noon on 7 June 2012.

For detailed information, an electronic copy of an application form
and how to apply go to www.open.ac.uk/employment, or call the Staffing
Assistant on +44 (0)1908 654161 or email mct-staffing@open.ac.uk
quoting the reference number.

Further particulars are available in large print, disk or audiotape
(minicom 01908 654901).

We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all
sections of the community.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prof. Gerd Kortuem
Computing Department, The Open University
email: g.kortuem@open.ac.uk, twitter: @kortuem, mob: +44 7590 490843
http://www.kortuem.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Postdoc Position in Ubiquitous Computing: Context and Behaviour Prediction

Gerd is getting the ubicomp group  back 


Open University - Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
Temporary contract until 31 January 2015
Based in Milton Keynes, UK

Closing date: noon on 7 June 2012.

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AEL513/research-associate-in-context-and-behaviour-prediction/

The Computing Department at the Open University is looking for a
Research Associate in the areas of Context and Behaviour Prediction.
The post is available in the EU-funded GAMBAS project. The main
objective of GAMBAS is to develop fundamental technologies for
context-aware, behaviour-driven services for innovative public
transportation applications.

The post holder will conduct internationally-leading research in
algorithms and systems for context and behaviour prediction.  You will
use an experimental systems approach to develop and evaluate location
and behaviour prediction algorithms, and build system infrastructures
for collection and processing of movement and behaviour data.

The post holder will be expected to develop proposals for individual
or joint research and contribute to writing bids for research funding.

To apply you must hold a first degree in the areas of computer
science, human-computer interaction, electronic engineering,
mathematics or a related discipline, and a PhD relevant to the
research area or equivalent qualifications. Also, you should have
demonstrated your research competence through high-quality
publications in top conferences in the area of mobile computing,
pervasive computing, human-computer interaction and/or machine
learning. Strong practical software development skills are required
for both posts.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Gerd Kortuem
(http://www.kortuem.com) at the Ubiquitous Computing and
Sustainability Lab, Department of Computing, The Open University.

Closing date: noon on 7 June 2012.

For detailed information, an electronic copy of an application form
and how to apply go to www.open.ac.uk/employment, or call the Staffing
Assistant on +44 (0)1908 654161 or email mct-staffing@open.ac.uk
quoting the reference number.

Further particulars are available in large print, disk or audiotape
(minicom 01908 654901).



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prof. Gerd Kortuem
Computing Department, The Open University
email: g.kortuem@open.ac.uk, twitter: @kortuem, mob: +44 7590 490843
http://www.kortuem.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Difficult things like paying for DIS2012


  1. Ok procedure for paying on line. 
  2. fill in form. 
  3. fill in form again
  4. fill in form again retyping info again
  5. get credit card
  6. fill in credit card details 
  7. press go
  8. Be told there have been too many attempts to pay (this is first).
  9. Phone up Barclayard 
  10. Answer verification question 
  11. Answer verification question 
  12. Answer verification question 
  13. Answer verification question 
  14. Answer verification question 
  15. Answer verification question Again
  16. Answer verification question 
  17. Answer verification question 
  18. Press change password ( as instructed) 
  19. type in credit card details 
  20. type in other details including data of birth. 
  21. Get out pass word app on iPhone
  22. type app security password
  23. type app security password
  24. generate new password 
  25. fill in new pass word 
  26. fill in new password ( verify) 
  27. Notice system is asking for 15 letter of 12 letter password
  28. type in credit card details 
  29. type in other details including data of birth. 
  30. Go back to create new password 
  31. type app security password
  32. type app security password
  33. generate new password 
  34. fill in new pass word 
  35. fill in new password ( verify) 
  36. Notice system is asking for pass words of no more than 15 letters
  37. Get out pass word app on iPhone
  38. Generate new random password of exactly 15 letters.
  39. type app security password
  40. type app security password
  41. generate new password 
  42. fill in new pass word 
  43. fill in new password ( verify) 
  44. fill in new password ( verify) 
  45. fill in new password ( verify) 
  46. Press close
  47. type in  3 letters from new password 
  48. press submit
  49. type in  3 letters from new password 
  50. press submit
  51. Success!!!! 
Looks like no one is doing GOMS analysis  here. All this for a £50 saving to Open university.
I'm in a new house and have switched to walking into the physical branch  for most of my online banking needs. Its much simpler and the more I use it ( the more they recognise me) the simpler it gets. 


Thursday, May 10, 2012

CHI Quote of the day

Science is method, all else is commentary. 




Notes form lecture 


Theories with a purpose. 
What is technology means to active a purpose. 



  1. Technologies consist of combinations of other technologies. ( so Technologies grow exponentially ) 
  2. Recursion - technologies have parts that are technologies until 3
  3. Technolgies relay on some phenomenon or truism of nature. You don't have to have 

Radical engineering means new principles. 
Technological Agenda 
  • the space of needs 
  • the space of means
Technology cycle. 
  1. Experiments, 
  2. Pioneering Architecure
  3. Pioneering Products
  4. Dominate Design
  5. Settler Products
There are only a few times where you can do something big.