Abstract
The challenge of pervasive computing to HCI is significant. HCI theory has been dominated by ‘the person using the computer’, work and efficiency. In the future of pervasive computing people will be living inside information spaces. If we take this view then it is natural to consider how people move through such spaces; navigation of information space. Usage of terms such as ‘navigation’ have been common since the inception of the Web; Internet explorer, Netscape navigator and so on. People complain of being ‘lost in hyperspace’, Web sites provide ‘navigation bars’ and even my mobile (cellular) phone has a navigation map. In this paper we report on a novel approach to helping people navigate a Web site — a dynamic site map. In doing this we aim to implement some ideas taken from the writings of Gordon Cullen on the design of townscapes whereby he stresses the unfolding nature of interaction with a town. The bigger picture is to explore this new approach to HCI that arises from people being inside information spaces and to see to what extent design principles from the built environment transfer to information spaces.
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Benyon, D., Wilmes, B. (2004). The Application of Urban Design Principles to Navigation of Information Spaces. In: O’Neill, E., Palanque, P., Johnson, P. (eds) People and Computers XVII — Designing for Society. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3754-2_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3754-2_7
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