DSO@UK

More about INVISQUE

2011-11-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

Browsed the IDC website and found that INVISQUE was presented in International Conference on Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries 2011 (TPDL 2011). The paper presented explained INVISQUE in detail. In case anyone of you is interested in the project, you can find the paper from Middlesex University repository. It was not the first time INVISQUE was presented but this paper included more about application (use case) and technical architecture of the system.

A quick start

2011-11-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Almost everyone knows about Google.

Almost everyone has tried using search engine at least once, or might be using it intensively everyday.

The way we use searching on the internet is quite the same for the past years. "The same" I mean from an end-user point of view:

1) type the search keyword/key phrase to a text box

2) click "Search"

3) from a tabular list of result, we go through one by one

4) done / or go to step 1 again

About how efficient, or how fast we can find what we need, relies on the technology side of the search service provider. For example Google has its own complicated indexing algorithm in judging the order of the result so that you can "reach your destination" faster; a shopping website compares your keyword with pre-defined tags of the product and production description collaboratively to show/promote the product you need to buy...

Still, the industry is still looking into how to make it more efficient and faster by putting in huge effort and investment. For example personalized search... etc.

How about the interface?

Due to some technical constraint like browser or device capability, for general public, we were quite stuck on what we are using today: using mouse point clicking on a list of result. Why I would say it is a technical constraint issue? Thinking about the browser capability, desktop processing power and display resolution of desktop/laptop in the past 10 years, we were kind of limited in what we can have. Lower resolution made us unable to read more information at the same time; browsers/platform does not allow doing something too fancy visually; processing power did not allow intensive drawing and calculation on your desktop...

The listing approach seemed to be the best option because it is clear, adhere to most of our reading habbit (from top to down, left to right).

However, it starts to change.

With the gaining popularity of mobile devices and other touch devices, general public has become more acceptable to shift from "point-and-click" to "tap-and-browse". "Tapping" and "Dragging" becomes something that we probably will do everyday (and quite a lot of times): tapping on your iPhone reading news; tapping and dragging on iPad/tablet reading books...

Can we empower our searching habbit by "tapping and dragging"? Can we make search result display in a different "visualized" way so as to make the information searching process more efficient?

This is what I will be doing from now on and it will mainly be an extension from what I learnt from INVISQUE and my dissertation. I will research on how to apply visual search into e-grocery shopping.

Remark: I was choosing a number of subject in applying visual search: cosmetic items, books, movies... I choose e-grocery because I think this is what I found myself really enjoy when I was in London. I like eating and cooking, and particularly shopping in supermarket. I will enjoy this research topic more I am sure :)

Back to my way...

2011-11-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

I still remember those days when I first put up this blog. It was established because of Knowledge Management class I took in Middlesex University. This blog, as a tool for dual purposes: 1) to jog down the knowledge I picked up, processed and understood. 2) to share with the HUGE community for whoever passes by and discuss together.

One thing I wanted, and always wanted to, is to investigate how to empower user interface using multi-touch interface. In the beginning, I was thinking to apply the technology in gambling business, but ethically from my point of view, I think it is not something I should investigate further (though all those ideas are still in my mind). In order to do something that can enrich my life and my heart, I prefer doing something that can benefit the community.

I was luckie that during the final phase of my Master degree, I had a chance to work with the Interactive Design Centre of Middlesex University. Thanks Dr. William Wong who allowed me, someone from a different major, to participate in one of their key projects: INVISQUE. It opened up a new door in front of me about visualization and information retrieval using multi-touch interface. I managed to finish dissertation with Dr. Wong and his team's guidance. Ever since I cannot stop myself from observing and thinking different type of data visualization and information retrieval information. However due to some "practical life" concern (work and finance I mean), I spent most of my time in my job. I slowly walked away from what my heart wants to do.

Now, it's the moment again because of some important inspiration in life. I have decided and I will spend more time do carry on with my research on this subject.

This is to the people who love me and support me all the way. To enrich my life, as a way to thank you for your love and tolerance.

Thank you.