http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5534 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:11:10 GMT 2026-08-12T08:11:10Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6017 Title: Investigation of the process of learning touch-screen mobile applications Authors: Tokárová, Lucia; Weideman, Melius Abstract: With the recent expansion of the mobile industry, applications for mobile devices are quickly becoming complex, empowering people to perform more advanced tasks. However, current mobile user interfaces introduce several introduce several challenges, such as direct manipulation, gesture control, solely visual feedback, or limited screen size. These factors affect the learnability of mobile applications. The primary objective of this research project is to investigate how people learn to use mobile applications and how this process can be supported. This needs to be done so that people can perceive the value of the application, accomplish basic tasks and gradually learn new features in a natural way. A pilot study will consist of observation of users' behavior in the context of skill acquisition within mobile user interfaces. Patterns in users' behavior the links between behavior and background information will be investigated. It is anticipated that the study will demonstrate the correlation between learning strategies and personal information about users. The results of this study will aid in creating learning profiles of representative user groups. Further examination of these profiles should lead to the design of support mechanisms that will encourage various types of application learners in the process of continuous learning of mobile applications. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6017 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6016 Title: Cape Town hotel reservation system usability Authors: Shasha, Ziphozakhe Theophilus; Weideman, Melius Abstract: The aim of this research project is to determine the degree of usability of Cape Town hotel online reservation systems. Literature has shown that the goal of website usability is to improve website efficiency and enjoyableness. Researchers note that good content, simple design, and few grammatical errors establish trust in a website. It has been proven that poor website design results in loss of potential sales due to users being unable to find what they want.. The researcher instrument that will be used in this research is a usabilty test. The research will focus on web-based reservation, and only usability will be measured. In this research project, both standard approaches is user testing will be used-quantitative and qualitative testing. The outcome of this study will be used to guide the improvement of the usability of Web-based hotel reservation systems. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6016 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6015 Title: Investigation of the relationship between Website usability and Web metrics Authors: Ntlangula, Brian Malakhiwe; Weideman, Melius Abstract: Website usability and use of web metrics are both methods which could be used to indicate popularity and/or success of a website. For commercial website, being successful in terms of listing on search engine result pages is of paramount importance. Prior research on website usability has indicated that a number of elements can be used to make up usability from the user's point of view. At the same time, programs that provide website metrics are freely available, and their output give many indications of website activity and performance. The purpose of this paper is to propose a method of determining whether or not there is a link between the results of measuring usability as opposed to website metrics. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6015 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6014 Title: An empirical study on the effect of demographic features and choice of keywords have on searching success of Ananzi users Authors: Weideman, Melius; Visser, Eugene B Abstract: The main objective was to determine if demographic features, as well as the choice of keywords used on local search engine Ananzi, do affect searching success. In determining this, other factors of search engines need to be considered l.e the use of robots and information retrieval methods. Method: A list of keywords was obtained from Ananzi, based on searches of the previous month. The keywords were used to derive categories. These categories were intergrated into the questionnaire and then hosted by Ananzi to elicit user responses. The first question asked of the user was whether or not they used Ananzi during the month in question, which linked the categories derived from the previous month's list of keywords to the current user. Analysis: A quantitative method was used. Results: The results of the questionnaire analysis indicate that age, race, spelling, use the Boolean operators and the number of keywords used, all affect searching success. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was determined that demographic features and the choice of keywords do affect searching success. Furthermore views on different perspectives were taken to determine what influential factors could cause demographic features to have an effect on searching success. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/6014 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z