Denotation and connotation in the human – computer interface: The ‘Save as …’ command

This paper presents a semiotic technique as a means of exploring meaning and understanding in interface design and use. This is examined through a study of the interaction between the ‘file’ metaphor and ‘save as’ command metaphor. The behaviour of these (from a functional or computational basis) do not exactly match, or map onto, the meaning of the metaphor. We examine both the denotation of a term to the user, i.e. its literal meaning to that person, and the term's connotations, i.e. any other meanings associated with the term. We suggest that the technique applied is useful in predicting future problems with understanding the use of metaphor at the interface and with designing appropriate signification for human-computer interaction. Variation in connotation was expected but a more fundamental difference in denotation was also uncovered. Moreover, the results clearly demonstrate that consistency in the denotation of a term is critical in achieving a good user understanding of the command.     

The effects of design,size, and uniqueness of smartwatches: perspectives from current versus potential users

ABSTRACT

This study proposes design, uniqueness, and screen size as the key components of aesthetic appeal and investigates their role in influencing the use behaviour of current smartwatch users and purchase intentions of potential users. Hypotheses were tested using SmartPLS to analyze data collected from 377 current smartwatch users and 361 potential users. Design aesthetics was found to be the most important factor influencing the behavioural intentions of both user groups. Screen size and uniqueness had significant effects on current users’ use behaviour and potential users’ purchase intentions, respectively. Gender moderated the effect of design on the use behaviour of current smartwatch users, such that female users’ behaviour was more likely to be influenced than male users. A subsequent analysis on the moderating effect of brand revealed that the design aesthetics of smartwatches mattered more for Apple than Samsung in terms of promoting use behaviour.     

How employees' perception of information technology application and their knowledge management capacity influence organisational performance

This study investigates how workers' gender, work experience, designated division, and appointment affect (i) their perception of information technology (IT) within the organisation, (ii) their self-perceived capacity in knowledge management (KM), and (iii) their perception of organisational performance (OP). Furthermore, the study also examines the correlation among the above three dimensions by using t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and stepwise regression analysis. These results show a positive correlation among IT application, KM capacity, and OP. In addition, the study discovers that (i) adequate IT investment and acceptance will improve employees' KM capacity, (ii) appropriate IT investment and training and employees' knowledge replication ability can better predict organisational outcomes, and (iii) employees' KM capacity is a better predictor of OP than IT application. Results also show that personal factors do affect workers' perception of the organisation's IT application, their KM capacity, and overall OP.     

里石门水库综合自动化系统的设计与建设

里石门水库在大坝安全监测、闸门监控、水情测报、安全监视等方面采用计算机监控技术实现了资源共享与科学调度,充分发挥了水库的综合效益,实现了水库安全科学管理的目标。     

浅析除险加固高压旋喷灌浆质量问题与对策

通过对高压旋喷灌浆施工技术的特点、流程及施工质量控制、工艺要求等进行探讨,对高压旋喷灌浆施工质量问题进行分析并提出相应对策;为确保工程质量,高压旋喷灌浆应严格按照技术要求进行操作,重点对水压、水量、气量、浆液密度、进浆量、提升速度、回浆密度进行控制。通过具体项目实施,结果表明:高压旋喷注浆施工质量问题通过采取措施是能有效控制的,高喷灌浆对坝体防渗堵漏效果好,对类似的坝体防渗加固工程具有借鉴作用。     

太湖蓝藻信息采集系统的建设与应用

太湖蓝藻信息采集系统项目的建设,是结合卫星遥感、3G图像传输、浮台水质监测及GIS等技术监测太湖蓝藻。同时项目中采用的3G视频传榆技术,为今后水利水文信息化项目中条件受限制的站点上传图像信息也起示范作用。     

浅湿灌溉技术是水稻节水增产的最佳灌溉制度

针对牡丹江地区水资源面临短缺的问题,对林口县刁翎水利试验站进行多年试验,掌握了大量的试验数据。试验证明,浅湿灌溉在诸多节水栽培技术中有明显的优势。     

基于预应力锚索设计和施工要点

近些年来建筑产业经济高速发展,一些新兴技术也逐渐被人们所关注与重视。其中,预应力锚索技术在当前岩体加固施工过程中基本已实现普及推广。这是因为预应力锚索技术具备应用便捷、施工占地空间小、以及加固性能良好等优良特性,进而能够保证加固质量。基于此,以预应力锚索作为研究视角,阐述了预应力锚索具备的特性、设计要点、以及锚索施工技术要点等,以期岩体加固工程作业成果与质量得以保障。     

空间信息技术在堰塞湖应急处置中的应用

主要介绍了汶川地震中唐家山堰塞湖应急处置过程中空间信息技术的具体应用。通过收集堰塞湖发生及处置全过程中所获取的有关基础地理信息、航空航天遥感影像、地质、水文气象、资源环境、人口社会经济以及应急决策等各类数据,并对上述数据进行处理,以使相同类型的数据能在统一的格式下进行组织、存储并进行有效的数据库管理。利用Web Services、空间数据库等技术建立数据库管理信息系统,实现基于网络的各类数据的查询检索和分析功能。该数据库的建设,可为今后类似应急处置提供快速、准确和直观的基础信息和经验指导。     

地震形成堰塞湖潜在影响范围快速评估

以汶川地震诱发的唐家山堰塞湖为研究区域,以下游各水文站点的实测水文历史数据为基础,采用模拟退火智能算法训练计算了该河段的马斯京根演算方程系数,并在给定初始条件下,快速预报了下游各个重要地区的流量变化过程。结合断面的水位流量关系得到水位变化过程。最后,使用空间信息技术得到了下游潜在淹没范围。结果表明：在溃决水位为690 m的条件下,洪水将全部淹没下游北川县城。