Change in User Interaction Using the Internet - Literature review Example

?Change in User Interaction Using the Internet/Worldwide Web Change in User Interaction Using the Internet/Worldwide Web The main objective of this literature is to unearth the evolution process in the World Wide Web, and the changes in user interaction due to the evolution (Mentes & Turan, 2012). It also looks into the impact of the evolution and innovations in the information technology sector to user interaction on the Web are also explored (Mentes & Turan, 2012). The paper has a deep insight into human-computer interaction (HCI), which is the exploration of the interaction between humans and computer systems (Aghaei et al, 2012). Additionally, the World Wide Web is explored as part of the Internet that helps humans to interact through technological networks. The paper will be written based on research that includes the review of relevant academic and scientific literature, and research through the internet for consultation. The scope of the paper is to provide extensive information on the changes in user interaction on the World Wide Web, as a result of evolution in the Web and information technology. The paper also provides information for more insight of the World Wide Web as a techno-social system that enhances the three forms of human interaction, that is, communication, cognition, and co-operation (Aghaei et al, 2012). These are interdependent forms of human interaction, whereby cognition is the necessary prerequisite to communication, whereas human communication needs cognition (Lindroos, 1997). Generally, the paper has an in-depth review of the Web evolution, from Web 1.0 to Web 4.0, in addition to description of multiple Web terms for clearer insight of the Web as a platform for interaction. The paper also explores on the prevalent radical evolution in the Web since its inception by Tim Burner-Lee in 1989, which has transformed the Web as the major information construct (Aghaei et al, 2012). According to Burner-Lee, this suggests that the Web is a creation of a global hypertext space through which information would be accessed on the network through a single unified Document Identifier (UDI) (Aghaei et al, 2012). This paper further explores the web as a design platform for human interaction and a common information space, where humans interact through sharing of information. There has been a lot of web evolution within the duration of the past two decades and has led to the four generation of the Web, that is, Web 1.0 as a web of recognition, Web 2.0 as a web of communication, Web 3.0 as a web of co-operation and Web 4.0 as a web of integration (Aghaei et al, 2012). On the basis of user/human interaction, the Web was classified in accordance to the analytical distinction where Web 1.0 was classified as a thought tool, Web 2.0 as a communication medium amongst the humans, and Web 3.0 as a networked digital technology to help in human co-operation (Aghaei et al, 2012). There has been much progress on the web, as an information space, and there is fast move towards the use of artificial intelligence that is likely to deliver highly intelligent interactions, such as Web 4.0 (Aghaei et al, 2012). According to Burner-Lee, Web 1.0 was a read-only web and a platform for broadcasting business information to people, as well as a system of cognition (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 1.0 had limited user interactions and/or content distribution and hence strictly allowed searching and reading of information. Web 1.0 was static and used HTML pages that reorganized infrequently, with businesses providing their catalogues and brochures through the web for people to retrieve, read and make contacts (Aghaei et al, 2012). The websites were only read-only and provided no interaction room, where information was published for people to establish an online presence for easy retrieval of information on the businesses. Web 1.0 had HTTP, HTML and URI as the core protocols (Aghaei et al, 2012). According to Dale Dougherty (vice president of O’Reilly Media), Web 2.0 was a business revolution resulting from evolution of the internet into a platform that raised curiosity of understanding the new rules used in the platform, such as the integration of built-in applications that harnessed the network effects. Web 2.0 was an interactive network that allowed both reading and writings that is bi-directional and allowed its users to interact more with reduced controls, unlike in the Web 1.0. Web 2.0 is an evolution of Web 1.0 that has more flexible web design, frequent updates, collaborative content creation, creative reprocess, and easy modification (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 2.0 helped in collective gathering of intelligence and supported collaboration. Web 2.0 mainly included technologies and services such as tags, really simple syndication (RSS), blogs, mashups, wikis, tag clouds, and folksonomy (Aghaei et al, 2012). The adoption of Web 2.0 has been facilitated by web development tools used in developing blogs, mashups and social networks; such as blog software, wiki engines, and mashup tools that have made Web 2.0 adoption faster, easier and cheaper (Aghaei et al, 2012). The table below is a comparison of features in Web 1.0 and 2.0; Web 1.0 Web 2.0 Reading Reading and Writing Client-Server Peer to Peer Ownership Sharing Companies Communities HTML, Portals XML,RSS Lectures Conversations Information Portals Platforms Dialup Broadband Netscape Google IPOs Trade Sales Table 1.0- Feature Comparison between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0(Aghaei et al, 2012) In the creation of Web 2.0 applications, developers use; Adobe Flex- a software development kit for creation and delivery of cross-platform rich internet applications (RIAs) on the web (Aghaei et al, 2012). Asynchronous JavaScript and XML(AJAX)- a web development method that retrieves small data amounts from the web server and displays it on the web application in the development of utmost interactive websites, without reloading the whole page. It includes XHTML or HTML, JavaScript, XML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) (Aghaei et al, 2012). Google Web Toolkit- an open source Java development framework that eases the creation of AJAX applications that provides a compiler and special web browser for developers to debug GWT applications (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 3.0 is a semantic web that was introduced as a third generation of the web in 2006 by John Markoff (New York Times) (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 3.0 was used in defining structure data and connecting them in order for easier and effective retrieval, automation, recycling, and integration across diverse web applications (Aghaei et al, 2012). There is the creation of new information links through linkage, integration and analyzing of various sets of data that result in improved data management, simulation of creativity and innovation, encouragement of the globalization phenomena, enhancement of customer satisfaction, and organization of web collaboration (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 3.0, as a semantic web, ensures that the web is readable by both the computers and humans. Figure 1.0- Web of Documents (Aghaei et al, 2012) Key: indicates un-typed links The semantic web is developed as web of documents with an inclusion of a global file system, with the web of documents designed for human use, that is, documents and links between the documents are the primary objects. The semantic web is designed for the understanding by the computers first, and the humans later, with explicit content and link semantics (Aghaei et al, 2012).According to Burner-Lee, the semantic web can be graphically represented as below; Figure 1.1- Semantic Web Layer Architecture (adopted from (Aghaei et al, 2012)) According to Aghaei et al (2012), Unicode uniquely represents characters in the language and URI uniquely identifies all types of resources, and hence the provision of a unique identification mechanism within the language stacks for the semantic web (Aghaei et al, 2012). The Extensive Markup Language (XML) helps in the formation of a collective data structure mechanism without any communication between the meanings of the data. On the other hand, the Resource Description Framework (RDF) uses URIs in identifying web-based resources and supports interoperability at the semantic level (Aghaei et al, 2012). The RDF schema provides a basic predefined system for RDF models, and a simple reasoning framework for inference of resource types. Ontology describes a specific domain through inference (Aghaei et al, 2012). Logic and Proof layer makes new inferences through an automatic reasoning system, whereas the Trust layer addresses trust for the provision of quality assurance on the web information that provides a confidence degree in the information resource (Aghaei et al, 2012). Semantic web is involves connection of related data, and hence Burner-Lee introduced the Linked Data principles, that include; The use of URIs as names for things. The use of HTTP URIs to look up those names. The provision of useful information using standards (RDF, SPARQL) by looking up a URI. Inclusion of links to other URIs for discovery of more things. Web 3.0 targets on linked sets of data, as opposed to web 2.0 that target on the content creativity of the users and producers (Aghaei et al, 2012). Table 1.2 below shows the comparison between Web 3.0 and Web 2.0 (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 2.0 Web 3.0 Read/Write Web Portable Personal Web Tagging User Engagement AJAX RDF Blogs Live stream Communities Individuals Content sharing Consolidation of dynamic content Google, Wikipedia Igoogle, Dbpedia Web 4.0 is a symbiotic web for the interaction of humans and computers through symbiosis, with a possibility to build more powerful interfaces (Aghaei et al, 2012). The powerful interfaces raise the intellect of the machines, such that they read the web contents, react through execution, and decide on the execution sequence for a fast website loading, with superiority in performance and quality (Aghaei et al, 2012). Web 4.0 has more powerful and commanding interfaces, and is a read-write-execution-concurrency web. It is similar to the human brain and is characterized by highly intellectual interactions, and is likely to function almost like an operating system (Aghaei et al, 2012). As the evolution in information technology continues to occur rapidly, there is the creation of a digital divide that need creativity and innovation, such as the incorporation of artificial intelligence that helps in improving the human-machine interactions (Bojko, 2006). Proliferation of information technology is demonstrated by the internet or the World Wide Web, and hence market fundamentalism has proven unsustainable due to dynamics in the global economy (Zviran, Glezer &Avni, 2006). Information technology (IT) spans time and space whereby the modern-day internet has become extremely complex a network due to a rising prevalence of computers in homes, schools, companies, institutions and corporations (Zviran, Glezer &Avni, 2006). The Web has evolved from a simple means of accessing information stored across diverse platforms to an extreme widely used communication medium, with the hypertext system and the link as its essence (Zviran, Glezer &Avni, 2006). The usability of the Web plays a great role in the satisfaction of the needs and expectations of website users (Wan, 2000). Additionally, the web has transformed the traditional ways of interaction between companies/businesses with the public, and/or their clients (Wan, 2000).The World Wide Web has enlarged the clients and audience for businesses and companies through the facilitation of communication and interactions, which has in turn improved the efficiency of the companies and businesses (Wan, 2000). Company and business websites are a virtual representation of the organizations and communicate the goals, mission and vision statements, organizational culture, and values (Wan, 2000).There is a rising demand for usability of websites, with a prevalent usage of the eye-tracking technique as a supplement to usability tests in commercial and academic practice. The eye-tracking technique is being widely used on company and business or organizational websites to help in catching the attention of the audience, thereby creating a platform for advertising their goods and services (Ehmke & Wilson, 2007). The change in the user interaction on the World Wide Web has led to evolution in information technology through creativity and innovations, such as the use of eye-tracking technology (Bojko, 2006). There is a growing population of the old people, with the World Health Organization predicting an estimated population of 1 billion by the year 2020, globally. The rapid growth of the older population has led to the need of development of new technology to be able to cater for in the understanding of the demographics of the older population, which is exposed to technology (Bojko, 2006). The unique requirements of the older population have led to the development of special human interfaces that suit their needs (Ehmke & Wilson, 2007). Though there has not been research studies conducted on the usability of the web by the older population in the past, recent studies have indicated that adults who are over the age of 65 tend to experience about half of the web usability as compared to the younger population. According to research, the older population is less likely to use the Web, those who use the Web and have difficulties in the terms of interactions with the computers (Mentes & Turan, 2012). However, one preliminary research study asserted that the older population is more accurate, though they take longer when using the Web, on the ground that they take their time to read texts and other contents on the screen, which improves their interaction experience with the computers (Mentes & Turan, 2012). In general, the young population is more likely to use computers and the Web as compared to their older counterparts, who tend to have difficulties and spend a lot of time while using the Web (Eksioglu et al, 2011). The reduction of usability difficulties with the older population has brought about the need to integrate special design modifications for the improvement of efficiency and performance (Eksioglu et al, 2011). However, some studies have suggested that the integration of specific design can improves the usability of the Web by the older population, though it does not actually improve their performance (Sengel &Oncu, 2010). Design modifications for the older population have also proven helpful to the younger users, in the terms of performance improvement due to increased interaction efficiency (Sengel &Oncu, 2010) In Web usability, age and experience tend to correlate with the overall performance, with the older population likely to complete lesser tasks on the Web and take longer as compared to the younger users (Sengel &Oncu, 2010). The use of larger texts is likely to be efficient and preferred by the older population, though it has no effect on the overall (Mentes & Turan, 2012). According to research, the older population is bound to be more cautious on the Web and tend to spend more time reading information prior to clicking and tend to deliberate on the pros and cons of clicking, before clicking on links (D'Ambra & Rice, 2001). Therefore, the older population has a more cautious approach to Web user interactions as compared to their younger counterparts, who tend to click on links randomly in the attempt to find more information (Mentes & Turan, 2012). The young generation users are more conversant with the technical jargon used on the Web as compared with their older counterparts (Mentes & Turan, 2012). The older generation users tend to spend a lot of time in reading texts and/or instructions and have difficulties in understanding their locations on the Websites, and often have difficulties with tabbed navigations (Mentes & Turan, 2012). Due to the challenges faces by the older Web users, there are multiple design strategies that improve the interaction. These include; the use of icon and bullet links for familiarity, use of action word links for guided use, consistency in link treatment for easier link recognition, use of scalable fonts and adjustable text size for optional text increment, use of concise instructions for easier understanding and successful task completion, use of simple terminology for familiarity, and use of simple navigation and provision of redundant navigation cues for easier guided navigation. The Internet helps in searching, browsing and monitoring, as a medium for communication, entertainment and education (Shackel, 2009). The Internet is a vast resource that contains huge information, and hence the nature and context of user interaction is critical in Web use. Internet user support tools must allow for uninterrupted free-from switching for efficient Web use, for example, allowing the user to maintain a conventional browser usage without stopping them from switching (Shackel, 2009). This is ensured through the addition of a layer of DHTML to the current page, by the proxy. The system assists or facilitates the interaction with the user, such as the proxy acting as a cache for pages to help in searching in recently browsed pages (Shackel, 2009). The Web is a complex platform that needs effective support for user behavior for efficient interaction and improved user performance (Yan & Guo, 2010). There are social networks that act as infrastructure for human interaction, communication and information sharing on the Web (Yan & Guo, 2010). They include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Yahoo, LinkedIn, andothers. Social networks provide communication platforms for event organization or individual user-to-user interactions (Yan & Guo, 2010). In social networking, the confidence, reliability and trust of the user on the system depends on the interaction levels within the networks. Social networks are hosts of a high user population, with some social links tending to be indicative of active interactions amongst connected users (Mentes & Turan, 2012). The social networks are widely used around the globe, which has improved the user interaction on the Web. The design of the social networking sites has allowed for free user interactions and improved user-user communication (Mentes & Turan, 2012). In conclusion, there have been an evolution in user interaction on the Web due to rapid shifts and growth in technology (Sindhuja & Surajith, 2009). The changes in user interaction on the Web are results of the Web evolution, from the read-only Web 1.0 to the symbiotic Web 4.0. Modern systems are designed to improve human computer interactions (HCI) through additional interaction features (Sindhuja & Surajith, 2009). The World Wide Web is the part of the Internet that helps humans to interact through technological networks (Tan & Wei, 2006). The World Wide Web is a techno-social system that enhances human communication, cognition, and co-operation. The Web has helped in the evolution of user interactions, most specifically the HCIs. It is evident that Web evolution, in addition to the evolution in information technology, has led to the improvement in the Web for easier interactions with the users. The evolution in information technology sector has led to high-tech innovations that have eased the user interaction on the Web, and thereby change the way the users interact with the computers and the World Wide Web. However, Web expertise has proven qualitatively different from computer expertise as per virtual experience, with the Web access and interaction being largely independent of the access location (Tan & Wei, 2006). The complexity of the Web as a platform has created the need of implementation of effective support for user behavior for efficient interaction and improved user performance, and hence the gradual changes in the Web user interaction (Yan & Guo, 2010) Furthermore, the evolution and innovations in information technology has led to the design of the social networking sites, which have allowed or created space for free user interactions and improved user-user communication (Mentes & Turan, 2012). These are social networks that act as infrastructure for human interaction, communication and information sharing on the Web, thereby facilitating and changing the Web user interaction evolutionarily (Yan & Guo, 2010). In the Web, as a platform, the addition of a layer of DHTML to the current page by the proxy allows the system to assist and/or facilitate the interaction of the Web with the user, such as the proxy acting as a cache for pages to help in searching in recently browsed pages (Shackel, 2009). Additionally, social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, are widely used around the globe, which has improved the user interaction on the Web. Web usability and user interaction is influenced by several factors, such as age, whereby there are change in the Web to allow for the accommodation of all users indiscriminately. According to research, the older population is who use the Web have difficulties in the terms of interactions with the computers, and hence innovations must be effected to facilitate these interactions. This has, in turn, resulted to multiple changes in the Web user interaction for the older population (Mentes & Turan, 2012). To wide it all, the evolutions in both the Web and information technology has led to multiple changes in the user interactions due to increased innovations and modifications (Mentes & Turan, 2012). It is therefore sound to place the dynamics in the user interactions on the changing user needs on the Web and the impacts of the evolution in the information technology sector (Mentes & Turan, 2012). References Aghaei, S. Nematbakhsh, M. & Farsani, H. (2012), "Evolution of the World Wide Web: from Web 1.0 to Web 4.0," International Journal of Web & Semantic Technology (IJWesT), Vol. 3 (1),1-10. Bojko, A. (2006). “Using eye-tracking to compare web page designs: A case study.” Journal of Usability Studies, 3, 1, 112-120. D'Ambra, J. & Rice, R. (2001), “Emerging Factors in User Evaluation of the World Wide Web,” Information & Management, Vol. 38, 373-384. Ehmke, C. & Wilson, S. (2007), “Identifying Web Usability Problems from Eye-Tracking Data.” London: The British Computer Society. 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