william h. bowers – [email protected] software posture cooper 8

William H. Bowers – [email protected] H. Bowers – [email protected]

Software PostureSoftware Posture

Cooper 8Cooper 8


TopicsTopics

PosturePosture Four Posture CategoriesFour Posture Categories

– Sovereign PostureSovereign Posture– Transient PostureTransient Posture– Daemonic PostureDaemonic Posture– Auxiliary PostureAuxiliary Posture


TopicsTopics

Postures for the WebPostures for the Web– Information Oriented SitesInformation Oriented Sites– Transactional Sites and ApplicationsTransactional Sites and Applications– Web PortalsWeb Portals

Other PlatformsOther Platforms


PosturePosture Program behavior should reflect Program behavior should reflect

usageusage Behavioral stance is postureBehavioral stance is posture Program’s look and feel is a Program’s look and feel is a

behavioral choicebehavioral choice


Four Posture CategoriesFour Posture Categories SovereignSovereign TransientTransient DaemonicDaemonic AuxiliaryAuxiliary


Sovereign PostureSovereign Posture Monopolizes screen and processingMonopolizes screen and processing Used for long, continuous Used for long, continuous

processingprocessing– Word processingWord processing– SpreadsheetsSpreadsheets– Presentation softwarePresentation software– Programming IDEsProgramming IDEs– EmailEmail


Sovereign PostureSovereign Posture Usually run full screenUsually run full screen Used as a primary toolUsed as a primary tool Shorter learning curveShorter learning curve Most users are intermediatesMost users are intermediates Make the UI easy on the eyesMake the UI easy on the eyes

– Muted, narrow conservative color Muted, narrow conservative color palettepalette

– Smaller, more numerous controlsSmaller, more numerous controls


Transient PostureTransient Posture Single-function applicationSingle-function application Temporary usage and appearanceTemporary usage and appearance Clear, simple, bold UI requiredClear, simple, bold UI required Bolder, brighter colorsBolder, brighter colors Use only the necessary screen sizesUse only the necessary screen sizes Larger, coarser graphics Larger, coarser graphics

permissiblepermissible Instructions built-in to UIInstructions built-in to UI


Transient PostureTransient Posture Keep controls away from window Keep controls away from window

bordersborders May be used to support sovereign May be used to support sovereign

programsprograms Store window preferencesStore window preferences Resizing may not be appropriateResizing may not be appropriate Must be movableMust be movable


Daemonic PostureDaemonic Posture Usually do not interact with useUsually do not interact with use Manage processesManage processes Background applicationsBackground applications Usually invisibleUsually invisible Must be accessible to end usersMust be accessible to end users

– May require configurationMay require configuration– Use control panel applicationUse control panel application


Auxiliary PostureAuxiliary Posture Blend of sovereign and transientBlend of sovereign and transient Continuously presentContinuously present Performs smaller, supporting rolePerforms smaller, supporting role Silent reporters of ongoing Silent reporters of ongoing

processesprocesses UI must be simple and boldUI must be simple and bold


Postures for the WebPostures for the Web

Information oriented sitesInformation oriented sites Transactional sites and Transactional sites and

applicationsapplications PortalsPortals


Information Oriented SitesInformation Oriented Sites

No complex transactionsNo complex transactions Must balanceMust balance

– Information densityInformation density– Ease of use for first time and infrequent Ease of use for first time and infrequent

usersusers Frequently updated = repeat usersFrequently updated = repeat users Can not assume screen resolution or sizeCan not assume screen resolution or size Consider cookies or server-side dataConsider cookies or server-side data


Transactional Sites and Transactional Sites and ApplicationsApplications Focus on goals and needs or Focus on goals and needs or

personaspersonas Consumers, employees, B2B usersConsumers, employees, B2B users Frequent, weekly, monthly usersFrequent, weekly, monthly users Heavy informational aspectHeavy informational aspect Requires navigational clarityRequires navigational clarity Amazon.com is a good exampleAmazon.com is a good example


Web PortalsWeb Portals

Consumer orientedConsumer oriented EnterpriseEnterprise Sovereign posture is appropriateSovereign posture is appropriate Minimal complexityMinimal complexity Rich in explanatory elementsRich in explanatory elements Composed of mini-applicationsComposed of mini-applications



KiosksKiosks– Full screenFull screen– First time, infrequent usersFirst time, infrequent users– Short usageShort usage– Touch screens or side buttonsTouch screens or side buttons– Transient posture is appropriateTransient posture is appropriate



Handheld devicesHandheld devices– Limited resources (screen, memory, Limited resources (screen, memory,

power)power)– PDAs are satellites of desktopPDAs are satellites of desktop– More for viewing than input or More for viewing than input or

processingprocessing– Cell phones are primary devicesCell phones are primary devices– Transient posture is bestTransient posture is best


Questions and DiscussionQuestions and Discussion

william h. bowers – [email protected] software posture cooper 8

Documents