Its been a long time since I have posted, almost a month or so since I graduated and got back. And it feels strange that I am once again typing on a blog...
I wonder what I have been doing all this time, so many things have happened, I'm been busy writing cover letters and sending out resumes, OCF have finished the Romans study and with it I have finished my responsibility of BS coordinator.
So much has changed, so much has happened, and I've embarked into a new journey in my Christian ministry, by once again taking up the role of ACGL which I left behind 2 years ago, it seems like time stopped for me while everybody moved on. I'm still an ACGL, just as when I left, I am still in the same CG, I still have mostly the same close friends, I still like the same person...
Strange isn't it? Did time really stop for me? But not all things remain the same, I've taken on other ministries now, I am attending SMU-CF which I didn't 2 years ago, and of course with ministry, other things as well.
Lets see what else is same and different, but one thing I know for sure, the journey and experience this time will be different.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Beyound Function and Design
I noticed the over the past few year's I've talking to much about media design, about it having a purpose and meaning and all. However I am also a software designer, so what is it about software design are there and key things to note in the field of the design of software.
Well, there is as amazing as it is, there are actually design principles when it comes to coding, the design of applications. Sadly these princples have been ignored to the point where functions is focused and when there is trouble using a software, it is the fault of the user. However that should not stand most of the time, it is true that new software will generate a new breed of idiots who are clueless in using them, but lets take a look at how even the software aspect has to complie to the principles of design.
1. Beauty V.S. Usability
One of the first and most interesting things discovered was that beauty and usability works together in an application. On one hand from a cognitive point of view, colour added no discernible value for everyday work, which means how good the applications looks doesn’t really matter (Norman 1988). However, on the other hand the surprise is that we also discovered evidence that pleasing things work better, are easier to learn and produce better results (Asdhy 1999). Furthermore good human-centred design practices are most essential for tasks or situations that are stressful (Isen 1993). Hence we can conclude that true beauty in a product has to be more than skin deep. To be truly beautiful, the product has to fulfil its functional purpose, be easy to use and comprehensible (Norman 2002).
2. Knowing what V.S. Knowing where
Next we moved on towards the in-depth look at the functionality of the interface. The screen objects should provide information that can potentially be used to evaluate the object’s function (Ehret 2002), in other words it is not enough to be able to know what we are looking for; we must also know where to look for it (Jones 1986). In order to achieve this we have to take into account the elements on the screen like space, colour, grouping, so to enable the users to locate the correct button/function without having to move their eyes from a cantered location (Moyes 1995). In addition, users of direct manipulation interfaces will rely on location as a performance cue only to the extent that the interface provides them (Moyes 1994). In conclusion we know that an interface has to provide spatial hints on what and where to look for function.
3. Importance of information
The one key thing which is important is the information displayed. Noting that users will not be using the application for some "experiential feeling" but for the content that is on it (Nielsen 1995). Furthermore content should be displayed in a simple yet understandable manner (Nielsen 1999; Nielsen 2000). Apart from that we have to also take note that in the case of the SMM, information displayed on the screen should be big and kept short as people tend to read 25% slower on screens as compared to paper (Nielsen 2000). Another factor to note is information retention, as there is no use displaying important information when the user does not remember anything (Hall 2004). Here we can see the importance of the information so much so that "content is king" (Nielsen 1999)and also the importance of making sure it gets retained beyond the time of access.
There so next time we design a software, its not just concentrate in functionality, but think about the human aspects of it.
References
Asdhy, F. G., Isen, A.M., and Turken, A.U. (1999). "A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition." Psychological review 106: 529 - 550.
Ehret, B. D. (2002). "Learning Where to Look: Location Learning in Graphic User Interfaces." 4(1): 211 - 218.
Hall, R. a. H., P. (2004). "The Impact of Web Page Text-Background Color Combinations on Readability, Retention, Aesthetics, and Behavioral Intention." Behaviour & Information Technology.
Isen, A. M. (1993). Handbook of Emotions, New York: Guilford: 261 - 277.
Jones, W. P., and Dumais, S.T. (1986). "The spatial metaphor for user interface: Experimental tests of references by location versus name." ACM transactions on Office Information Systems 4(1): 42 - 63.
Moyes, J. (1994). "When users do and don't rely on icon shape." Proc. of ACM CHI'94 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2: 283-284.
Moyes, J. (1995). Putting icons in context: the interface of contextual information on the usability. Glasgow, University of Glasgow.
Nielsen, J. (1995). "Guidelines for multimedia on the Web." Retrieved 02 May, 2007, from www.useit.com/alertbox/9512.html.
Nielsen, J. (1999). User Interface Directions for the Web. Communications of the ACM. 42: 65 - 72.
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. Indianapolis, IN, New Riders Publishing.
Norman, D. A. (1988). The Design of Everyday Things. New York, Basic Books.
Norman, D. A. (2002). Emotions & design: Attractive things work better. Interactions Magazine. july + august: 36 - 42.
Well, there is as amazing as it is, there are actually design principles when it comes to coding, the design of applications. Sadly these princples have been ignored to the point where functions is focused and when there is trouble using a software, it is the fault of the user. However that should not stand most of the time, it is true that new software will generate a new breed of idiots who are clueless in using them, but lets take a look at how even the software aspect has to complie to the principles of design.
1. Beauty V.S. Usability
One of the first and most interesting things discovered was that beauty and usability works together in an application. On one hand from a cognitive point of view, colour added no discernible value for everyday work, which means how good the applications looks doesn’t really matter (Norman 1988). However, on the other hand the surprise is that we also discovered evidence that pleasing things work better, are easier to learn and produce better results (Asdhy 1999). Furthermore good human-centred design practices are most essential for tasks or situations that are stressful (Isen 1993). Hence we can conclude that true beauty in a product has to be more than skin deep. To be truly beautiful, the product has to fulfil its functional purpose, be easy to use and comprehensible (Norman 2002).
2. Knowing what V.S. Knowing where
Next we moved on towards the in-depth look at the functionality of the interface. The screen objects should provide information that can potentially be used to evaluate the object’s function (Ehret 2002), in other words it is not enough to be able to know what we are looking for; we must also know where to look for it (Jones 1986). In order to achieve this we have to take into account the elements on the screen like space, colour, grouping, so to enable the users to locate the correct button/function without having to move their eyes from a cantered location (Moyes 1995). In addition, users of direct manipulation interfaces will rely on location as a performance cue only to the extent that the interface provides them (Moyes 1994). In conclusion we know that an interface has to provide spatial hints on what and where to look for function.
3. Importance of information
The one key thing which is important is the information displayed. Noting that users will not be using the application for some "experiential feeling" but for the content that is on it (Nielsen 1995). Furthermore content should be displayed in a simple yet understandable manner (Nielsen 1999; Nielsen 2000). Apart from that we have to also take note that in the case of the SMM, information displayed on the screen should be big and kept short as people tend to read 25% slower on screens as compared to paper (Nielsen 2000). Another factor to note is information retention, as there is no use displaying important information when the user does not remember anything (Hall 2004). Here we can see the importance of the information so much so that "content is king" (Nielsen 1999)and also the importance of making sure it gets retained beyond the time of access.
There so next time we design a software, its not just concentrate in functionality, but think about the human aspects of it.
References
Asdhy, F. G., Isen, A.M., and Turken, A.U. (1999). "A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition." Psychological review 106: 529 - 550.
Ehret, B. D. (2002). "Learning Where to Look: Location Learning in Graphic User Interfaces." 4(1): 211 - 218.
Hall, R. a. H., P. (2004). "The Impact of Web Page Text-Background Color Combinations on Readability, Retention, Aesthetics, and Behavioral Intention." Behaviour & Information Technology.
Isen, A. M. (1993). Handbook of Emotions, New York: Guilford: 261 - 277.
Jones, W. P., and Dumais, S.T. (1986). "The spatial metaphor for user interface: Experimental tests of references by location versus name." ACM transactions on Office Information Systems 4(1): 42 - 63.
Moyes, J. (1994). "When users do and don't rely on icon shape." Proc. of ACM CHI'94 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2: 283-284.
Moyes, J. (1995). Putting icons in context: the interface of contextual information on the usability. Glasgow, University of Glasgow.
Nielsen, J. (1995). "Guidelines for multimedia on the Web." Retrieved 02 May, 2007, from www.useit.com/alertbox/9512.html.
Nielsen, J. (1999). User Interface Directions for the Web. Communications of the ACM. 42: 65 - 72.
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity. Indianapolis, IN, New Riders Publishing.
Norman, D. A. (1988). The Design of Everyday Things. New York, Basic Books.
Norman, D. A. (2002). Emotions & design: Attractive things work better. Interactions Magazine. july + august: 36 - 42.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
An old man
Finally I'm free enough to add stuff here, actually I've been free for a long time, just a bit lazy to blog again. Or rather have nothing to blog about until this afternoon.
If most of you know I have a tendency to run off to somewhere, don't have to be a quite place, grab myself a cup of good (and expensive) coffee and do my bible study.
This time the venu of choice was the newly opened shopping mall "Riverlink" in Ipswich (the place I'm living in Australia). Since the it was winter I ordered an extra warm cup of Irish creme mocha. Sounds nice? Taste even better...hahahaha...
The book of choice, Revelations, finally I have the courage to study the book I've never dared to look at for fear of what I might find or learn from it, but now I guess its time at the concluding point of this milestone, I thought I'll give it a shot. So there I was having my coffee, and doing my bible studies, than a group of people, a family I guess, came and seat down at the table beside me. Well, I'll cut the long story short and say they had a very loud conversation and I was will, not pissed, but slightly irritated.
So sometime went by and they were about to leave, the old man sitting on that table walked over and he was look in my direction and noticed I was doing bible studies. He asked me what was I studiying about, and we proceeded to talk about things. He talked about how the bible has changed his life, about how, we need to so much more spread the gospal look at the situation in the world today, I talked how it has changed mine, issues, my fear of the word...etc
Which brings up a though, can anyone picture life without God? I know I can't, I can't get by a day without talking to God, without putting God into propective of things, without acknowledging God in the things I do, seeking God....I cannot get by one day with out spending time with God. So what is life without God? Life is nothing....
If most of you know I have a tendency to run off to somewhere, don't have to be a quite place, grab myself a cup of good (and expensive) coffee and do my bible study.
This time the venu of choice was the newly opened shopping mall "Riverlink" in Ipswich (the place I'm living in Australia). Since the it was winter I ordered an extra warm cup of Irish creme mocha. Sounds nice? Taste even better...hahahaha...
The book of choice, Revelations, finally I have the courage to study the book I've never dared to look at for fear of what I might find or learn from it, but now I guess its time at the concluding point of this milestone, I thought I'll give it a shot. So there I was having my coffee, and doing my bible studies, than a group of people, a family I guess, came and seat down at the table beside me. Well, I'll cut the long story short and say they had a very loud conversation and I was will, not pissed, but slightly irritated.
So sometime went by and they were about to leave, the old man sitting on that table walked over and he was look in my direction and noticed I was doing bible studies. He asked me what was I studiying about, and we proceeded to talk about things. He talked about how the bible has changed his life, about how, we need to so much more spread the gospal look at the situation in the world today, I talked how it has changed mine, issues, my fear of the word...etc
Which brings up a though, can anyone picture life without God? I know I can't, I can't get by a day without talking to God, without putting God into propective of things, without acknowledging God in the things I do, seeking God....I cannot get by one day with out spending time with God. So what is life without God? Life is nothing....
Friday, June 01, 2007
A good reminder
Perhaps the question here would be “What or who are we working hard for?”
Earlier this year I felt or rather discovered that my perfect GPA which I got last semester was meaningless, as in there is no purpose what so ever for it, I didn’t felt fulfilled despite reaching the pinnacle for of university undergraduate achievement.
Problems like this usually appear when you think inside the box, which most people being brought up by the Singapore education system usually tend to because of “route learning” (Pang 1982; Gopinathan 1998; Chua 2006).
But I think the question should not just end there, however if we actually take the time to ask a further question on it, “Why is there no fulfillment?” followed by “What or who are we working for?”. It is strange that such a question would strike me at a time like this; strange indeed. Since receiving last semester’s results I have been trying very hard to maintain it from the looks of my assignment results for this semester I might just be able to pull it off again. And now this question “Who am I working so hard for?”.
Remember your creator… it all started with this phrase. If we were created in the same image as our creator and material things/works do not fulfill our creator, neither will it fulfill us. So how then do we find purpose in working so hard when the rewards are from this world? There are basically two things to consider; firstly are the rewards ONLY from this world? And secondly upon what do we focus on when we work hard?
It is rather clear that it can be all about focus. Upon what do we focus on when we do things? I’ll just quote from a conversation I just had recently “perhaps it doesn’t matter if u can maintain at it, or whether
References
(I’m adding these references because I am aware that people disagree with me saying the
Chua, S. K. (2006). A critical discourse analysis on the translation practice of the
Gopinathan, S., Pakin. A., Ho. W. K., Saravana V. (1998). Language, Society and Education in
Pang, E. F. (1982). Education, manpower and development in Singapore, Singapore University Press.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What is university life about?
Some would be tempted to just say "Education?"
To me by saying that, you have under estimated life. If you want an education go read a book or something. You don't need to go to school to learn something. So what than is university life about?
Not just education, put it this way, assignments and reading you'll have everyday and you'll be stuck doing them everyday. So what do you get to do in uni that is apart from this? Have fun?
Note this assignments and partying you can do every other day, but to be able to shape and make an impact in the life of another, is not something you get to do everyday.
So university life is more than an education, it about changing a life, making a difference, otherwise, just go read a book or something.
To me by saying that, you have under estimated life. If you want an education go read a book or something. You don't need to go to school to learn something. So what than is university life about?
Not just education, put it this way, assignments and reading you'll have everyday and you'll be stuck doing them everyday. So what do you get to do in uni that is apart from this? Have fun?
Note this assignments and partying you can do every other day, but to be able to shape and make an impact in the life of another, is not something you get to do everyday.
So university life is more than an education, it about changing a life, making a difference, otherwise, just go read a book or something.
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