cumulus vs. portfolio: an interactivity slam-down between two digital asset management applications...
TRANSCRIPT
Cumulus vs. Portfolio: An interactivity slam-down between two Digital Asset Management Applications
Theories and Practice of Interactive Media7 December 2004
Don Wilson
Agenda
• Introduction• Consumer Features• Definitions• Purpose, Significance, Objective• Tasks and Results• Interactivity comparison• Discussion• Conclusion
Introduction• A picture is worth one thousand keywords, that is if
you ever want to see it again• Task based comparative analysis between two
computer mediated single-user Digital Asset Management applications
• Does interactivity enhance usability and efficiency?– How and why?– Which is the better application and why?
Consumer Features• Display thumbnails, larger previews and view metadata• Organize your subjects into categories, galleries, use keywords• Records are representational, originals can be stored anywhere • Create slide shows, print contact sheets, publish galleries to
internet• Portfolio can batch convert, rename and move files• Portfolio can burn CD catalogues and include browser so user
can view and sort files just like application• Cumulus 6 ($99.95), Portfolio 7 ($199.95)
Definitions
Digital asset:Any digital file – image, text, video, PowerPoint, multimedia, audio, layouts – which holds potential value through reuse.
Digital Asset Management:The technology that enables access to existing digital assets and their potential reuse for profit.
Definitions
Interactivity:“A cyclic process in which two actors alternately listen, think and speak.”
“Conversation is a loop through which information flows, changing its content and character with each pass through the loop (Crawford, 2003).”
Purpose• Compare the interactivity of Cumulus and Portfolio using
identical tasks• Determine best single user application
Significance• Manage digital assets to save time and make money• Digital assets are only assets if they accessible
Objective• Learn and apply theories and practice of interactivity to my
business
Task 1: Download software
Cumulus• Roughly one hour to download, confusing interface,
finally had to go to online help (that worked)– Very confusing feedback, I was lost, not user oriented
• -2 on a scale of 10
Portfolio• Downloaded in five clicks, very simple, immediately
offered link to 15 online Flash tutorials– Interactive loop, great navigation,
• 10 on a scale of 10
Task 2: Add imagesCumulus• Two hour struggle – back and forth from online help – I still can’t
make it work – Too many small steps, not easy and open, heavy memory
commitment– Many choices but unclear feedback and strict hierarchy
• Still -2 on a scale of 10
Portfolio• Looked at 7 tutorials, browsed Quick Start PDF and I’m in
business making catalog, galleries, dragging & dropping– Intuitive, paths are obvious, great feedback, many choices
• Still 10 on a scale of 10
Task 3: Keyword search
Cumulus• Keyword search works great, better than Portfolio
– Al keywords listed alphabetically, keyboard shortcuts– Many choices but unclear feedback and strict hierarchy
• 2 on a scale of 10, the only thing I can do is search keywords
Portfolio• Keyword search is case sensitive (Mac)
– Weak control in search interface, intent to help user slipped
• 7 on a scale of 10
Interactivity comparison• Cumulus
– Confusing interface– Poor navigation– Many choices– Confusing feedback = no
meaning– Memory dependent– Good control with
keywords– Strict hierarchy– Not user oriented
• Portfolio– Interactive loop– Clear navigation– Many choices– Great feedback– Intuitive (not memory
dependent)– Weak control with
keywords– User oriented
Discussion• Cumulus plagued by large Gulf of Evaluation
and Gulf of Execution– Crippled productivity– No flow
• Portfolio– Good feedback (Schramm, 1982)– Had moments of flow– Actively involved, in control – intent realized (Uses
and Gratifications)
Conclusion• Cumulus is the anti-Elvis of DAM applications• Interactivity made Portfolio far superior in
terms of usability and efficiency
• “If the tedium can be separated from the creative effort, therein lies a potential for application software (Crawford, 2003).”