Papers in PDF format

Implementation
The tool is a Web-based application that presents a questionnaire form to the user where s/he can choose a Web browser
and then fill in the answers to all the questions. When the user submits the form, a CGI script takes all the data and
stores it in a file in such a way that later can generate the appropriate graphics.
The structure of the software includes a home page with textual description of the guidelines, scores, and an example. It
also presents other links to the Web sites of each browser to check for latest releases and other kind of information.
Once the user chooses a Web browser to evaluate, a script generates the guidelines form on the fly. The user answers the
questions and also enters some personal opinions about certain features. When the form is submitted, another script
takes all the data and stores them in a logfile.
Furthermore, if a user wants to know the results, there is a link to a page with different graphics showing up-to-date
data. For now, the graphics are basically histograms written in Java and the parameters for the applets are also generated
on the fly [Gosling & McGilton 1995]. In a future, the idea is to have different queries to databases in order to generate
customized graphics.
The construction of new features was done using both aforementioned approaches. Delphi and VisualObliq were the
main tools used in the first approach and Java was used for the second approach for a simple interface.
Final Discussion
We believe that the model introduced is appropriated to perform distributed interface evaluation. This task can be
performed anywhere, anytime and only requires a Web browser. From the designer point of view, the incorporation of
Java applets makes the feedback process much more interactive. Users can test miniapplets in order to analyze a special
feature(e.g. a dialog box). Actually, users can add applets and have more interaction with the design. Last, but not least,
the pages with the guidelines, results, user feedback, and applets act as a collective memory by keeping track of the
different stages in the design process.
Acknowledgments
This work was partially supported by the Chilean Science and Technology Fund (FONDECYT), Grant 1950584.
References
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[Fowler and Stanwick 1995] Fowler, S. & Stanwick, V.(1995). The GUI Style guide. Cambridge, Massachusetts:
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[Gosling and McGilton 1995] Gosling, J. & McGilton, H.(1995). The Java Language Environment. A White Paper. Sun
Microsystems, Inc. Cupertino, CA
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