1,720,977 research outputs found
Designing search engine user interfaces for the visually impaired
No full textSearch engines are a fundamental tool for retrieving specific and appropriate information on the Internet; for this reason it is essential for any user to be able to interact with simple, clear and accessible interfaces. In this paper we describe the main design issues affecting the user interface of a search engine when a sightless user interacts by means of a screen reader or voice synthesizer. In particular, the most important differences between a visual layout and aural perception are discussed, in order to propose appropriate and specific guidelines for improving the design of search engine interfaces
Designing search engine user interfaces for the visually impaired
No full textSearch engines are a fundamental tool for retrieving specific and appropriate information on the Internet; for this reason it is essential for any user to be able to interact with simple, clear and accessible interfaces. In this paper we discuss the main differences between a visual layout and aural perception, and propose a set of guidelines for search engine user interface UIs design
Adopting a scenario-based approach to test a modified search engine user interface for the blind
No full textSearch engines have become an indispensable tool for retrieving information from the Internet; thus simple and effective interaction is important for anyone and especially for blind users who navigate via screen reader. We believe that an appropriately designed user interface is crucial for improving accessibility and usability. For this reason we proposed a set of specific guidelines that would improve interaction of the blind with search engines and applied them to Google, modifying the source code of its simple search interfaces while maintaining the same graphical layout. In this paper we discuss user interaction with both the original and modified Google UIs, presenting two scenarios of use in which two blind persons were assigned the same search task. In both scenarios the modified UIs improve the sequential access furnished by screen reader since the content's internal structure has changed by moving at the top of the page source file the parts that the user judges more important, i.e. the search box on the home page and the query results in the result pag
Increasing usability of search engine interfaces for the blind
No full textSince search engines have become an indispensable tool for retrieving information from the Internet, simple and effective interaction is important for anyone wishing to explore a web page. Navigating is especially difficult for those blind individuals who navigate via screen reader. We believe that an appropriately designed user interface is crucial for improving accessibility and usability, and in a previous phase of our research we proposed a set of specific guidelines that would improve interaction with search engine user interfaces. In this paper we applied our guidelines to a commercial search engine, modifying the Google interface source code while maintaining the same graphical layout. For a better understanding of how screen readers read a web page and how our changes improve readability via assistive technology, we offer two scenarios in which two blind persons were assigned the same task. We then show the two individuals attempting to perform the task, one with the original and the other with the modified Google interface, and briefly compare the two scenarios
Can I find what I'm looking for?
No full textIn recent years, search engine research has grown rapidly in areas such as algorithms, strategies and architecture, increasing both effectiveness and quality of results. However, a very important aspect that is often neglected is the user interface. In this work we analyzed the interfaces of several popular search tools from the user's point of view, and collected individual feedback in order to determine whether it is possible to improve interface design
Accessibility and usability of search engines: a preliminary study
No full textDue to the enormous amount of information on the Internet today, search engines have become an indispensable tool for finding specific, appropriate information. Therefore, it is essential for search engines to offer user interfaces that are easy to use and accessible to all. In this study we describe the initial steps of a project aimed at evaluating the accessibility and usability of several popular search tools. The analysis is centered on two user categories: sighted and blind users. With this goal in mind, we collected individual feedback in order to determine whether it is possible to improve interface design
Accessibility and Usability of Search Engine Interfaces: Preliminary Testing
No full textDue to the enormous amount of information on the Internet today, search engines have become an indispensable tool for finding specific, appropriate information. Therefore, it is essential for search engines to offer user interfaces that are easy to use and accessible to all. In this study we describe the initial steps of a project aimed at evaluating the accessibility and usability of several popular search tools. The analysis is centered on two user categories: sighted and blind users. With this goal in mind, we collected individual feedback in order to determine whether it is possible to improve interface design
Electronics authentication using electrical measurements and machine learning
Full text linkThe problem of counterfeiting in electronics is not recent but still critical today. Identifying counterfeit devices can be a complex task since not all suspicious items are necessarily inauthentic. The paper deals with the non-destructive detection of counterfeiting in electronics by using only electrical measurements. This approach paves the way for machine learning classification-assisted counterfeit detection through electrical measurements. Physical de-processing provides the final confirmation
Improving search engine interfaces for blind users: a case study
No full textThis article describes a research project aimed at improving search engine usability for sightless persons who use assistive technology to navigate the web. At the beginning of this research, a preliminary study was performed concerning accessibility and usability of search tools, and eight guidelines were formulated for designing search engine user interfaces. Then, the derived guidelines were applied in modifying the source code of Googleâ s interface, while maintaining the same look and feel, in order to demonstrate that with very little effort it is possible to make interaction easier, more efficient, and less frustrating for sightless individuals. After providing a general overview of the project, the paper focuses on interface design and implementation
Evaluating a modified Google user interface via screen reader
No full textThis paper describes the progress of a research project aimed at improving the usability of web search tools for blind users who interact via screen readers and voice synthesizers. In the first stage of research, specific guidelines were proposed for simplifying the interaction with search engines for the blind. To evaluate these criteria, they were applied to Google user interfaces, by re-implementing the search form as well as the results page. Finally, the redesigned interfaces were evaluated through remote testing with 12 totally blind users. The results highlighted how Google, although already accessible, may be further improved in order to simplify interaction for people with impaired vision
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