Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with interaction

Does my girlfriend spend too much time on online forums?

kleenkat — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:25:23 -0800

Am I being unreasonable about how much time my girlfriend spends on online forums and message boards? It's ironic that I am asking this on metafilter, but I really feel like my girlfriend spends way too much time online talking to strangers about every day things, hobbies, etc. What is weird though, is that she doesn't actually participate in many of the hobbies she claims she is on the message boards for. She just talks about them and the stuff she talks about sits and collects dust in our apartment (cameras, guitars, etc.) Hasn't touched them in over a year. She is a moderator on one forum and probably spends 4-5 hours each day, if not more, on these three forums. One being Fluther, where a bunch of people ask questions that can simply be Googled. I understand online community and what not, and when I say something to her she gets pissed off because I'm doing work for school. I am not, however spending nearly as much time doing graduate work as she does online. She is only these forums throughout the work day, and on her computer when I get home from work every day, even when we are cooking dinner she intermittently checks the forums for new posts or to answer ridiculous questions on Fluther.

Am I being picky or unreasonable? I just think it's strange but hey to each their own. I just feel like she is constantly at her computer. Yet, when I try to get her to go out in the "real world" and hang out with friends, she says the general population annoys her. Since I started dating her I really miss REAL social interaction with people, even with strangers. It now makes me reluctant to participate in many social events because I know she will be bored or despise being there. What should I do? I love her very much, and I don't want to come off as insensitive....I just wonder if it is unhealthy. She's a sweet, caring girl.

THanks in advance...

Are there needles in this haystack?

Other — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:24:20 -0800

I'm looking for user interface shops or departments within companies that do a particular kind of work, and that hire a particular kind of role (even if they have no jobs open right now). Do you know if they exist, and whether they're common or rare? Or, do you know how I can find out? What I'm looking for is defined by two things -- the kinds of interfaces the company creates and the kind of role I would have.

For the kinds of interfaces, examples of what I'd like would be the screen that a nurse uses to run a machine, or the pda application that a sales person uses to manage their road-trips. I like working on interfaces where:
-- The users have a goal to accomplish besides exploring the interface itself. So, not brand websites or information databases.
--The users really need or want to do the task; it's not something the company has to convince them to want to do. So, not most retail sites or marketing-related work.
--The goal is focused and concrete. So, not sprawling system or multi-purpose application work.
I think that embedded systems are more often good examples of this kind of interface than websites or PC applications, though I wouldn't rule those out if they satisfy the description.

For the kind of role
--I love gathering requirements and defining offerings through qualitative ethnographic research and analysis of the functions of comparable products.
--I love figuring out the logic and architecture.
--I don't mind qualitative usability testing.
--I don't mind some specification/documentation.
--I don't do any visual design.
--I don't do any quantitative testing, market testing, or ergonomic stuff like eye-tracking.
--I don't do any coding, not even in something like Flash or html.
So, I'd need a user experience role on a team where others are responsible for both the visual design and the techie parts.

Is defining the work and the role as above so narrow that I eliminate just about every position I might ever find? Or are there lots of potential matches? Do you know of any in particular? Or, do you know how I could find out, including for companies that aren't currently hiring?

My wife and I live in northern California now, but we're open to some other parts of the US. I can stay in my current, good job and out-wait the economy indefinitely.

Positive interaction careers?

Picklegnome — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:14:10 -0800

Although I've always considered myself somewhat misanthropic, I've been finding more and more that I'm stimulated by higher-level or professional interaction with others. What professions might give that stimulus, that aren't predominately negative (i.e. inbound customer service calls, police work, or criminal defense lawyering)?

What is this? And: Is it loud?

Henrik — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:33:46 -0800

Can you identify this strange interactive sound making device? The sound making device in question.

There seem to be multiple buttons and at least one speaker on this thing. It seems to be in public (on a street pole), as the german text says: "Please refrain from switching on this damn thing at night! This is an order! You are just upsetting the residents, here. Hopefully, this finally becomes clear. 'Respect' is demanded!"

Statistical Interaction—I know it's there, I just need directions please.

No New Diamonds Please — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:43:25 -0800

How do I determine directionality in a significant statistical interaction? I'm using SPSS. I’m pretty good at understanding Statistics on a qualitative level, decent on a quantitative level, and terrible at SPSS! My advisor helped me with some archival data involving correlations and interactions. Now, I’m having difficulty with trying to figure out the math on my own! Oh, and understanding which numbers really matter!

Okay, let’s say I’ve got orthogonal Factors A and B, and I know that they interact significantly with respect to Dependent Variable C. But now, I’m interested in finding out about directionality. Is it that (high or low) levels of A and (high or low) levels of B lead to (high or low) levels of C!!!

I’m trying to recreate what my advisor did. We standardized the variables (so, in the parlance of SPSS, we would have ZFactorA, ZFactorB and ZVariableC). And then, calculated ZFactorA*ZFactorB as the. . . interaction term (?). Next, we did some type of correlation (multiple regression?) where ZFactorA, ZFactorB and ZFactorA*ZFactorB were the independent variables and ZVaribleC was the dependent variable. The beta weight of ZFactorA*ZFactorB was negative (it was significant, as we knew) and so I think that that is why we knew that the interaction happened with low levels of both ZFactorA and ZFactorB. I’m not really sure.

[We also did a whole other procedure wherein we ranked and divided the data of each of A, B and C into 3 “Ntiles” and then we semantically had a 3x3 resolution of data where we could see if any of the boxes were surprisingly high or low (which is the essence of an interaction—the whole 1+1=3 paradigm). So, the box that corresponded to low levels of both factors was indeed surprisingly low.]

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? What would be the process you would use to determine the directionality of these interactions? What statistics would you use? Which numbers would be important to you? Bonus points for any software that would allow me to 3D graph this stuff!

How to deal with a hinter.

cranberrymonger — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:24:42 -0800

I would like to discourage an acquaintance from engaging in an annoying conversational habit. The disclaimer: I understand that being direct is the best course of action in most cases but in this situation, it is my expressed intent to amuse myself and rankle someone else. I am aware of the inherent pettiness and promise not to use any ideas given here during vulnerable moments; my only intent is to get ideas for humourusly navigating the ultra (ULTRA) banal.

I know someone who "baits" instead of simply relating anecdotes. This occurs in any and every conceivable situation, regardless of its importance. The set-up always frames the issue in an intriguing light (e.g. "I thought of a great idea for breakfast." or, more shamelessly: "So-and-so and I met under quite remarkable circumstances."). Then, the unbearable silence begins.

Note that I am obliged to have periodic encounters with this person and they ought to be civil; I am not concerned with how they regard me but I cannot be overtly rude. I no longer wish to follow-up with "Oh, what is it?" or its equivalent and my overall aim is to learn to anticipate these forced interactions with levity and amusement instead of bitterness.

Hive, please unleash your creativity! What are some fun and funny tactics to deal with and dodge dangling hints?

IT grad schools for those with no IT background?

NeoLeo — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:02:21 -0800

Is there any Master's degrees for students pursuing an IT field with no background in IT? I'm interested in a career in Human Factors/Human-Computer Interaction, but have a degree completely unrelated degree to that field. I've been looking at options to get into that field, including having considered getting a second bachelor's degree (which is mostly what my previous AskMe question was about).

To get into various HCI programs (I'm particularly interested in the Carnegie Mellon program), I'd need at least some extent of programming background and/or some cognitive psychology background. So I can either work and teach myself at the same time, or go to school... and honestly my current degree won't get any good jobs anytime soon so I prefer the school route.

One option I discovered recently was UPenn's Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) program. It's a Masters program designed for people with no IT background trying to get an IT education. Do you know of any other programs that are like it?

I've tried Googling/doing internet research to find similar programs, but haven't been able to come up with anything. It would also take quite a long time to individually look up every school that offered computer science graduate programs. Thanks for any help.

It's not seasonal allergies

Jason and Laszlo — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:48:09 -0800

On city sidewalks, when strangers pass each other, why do they sniffle? Walking toward each other, we size each other up at a distance of 25 ft, then avert eyes, then 10 ft, then avert eyes and as we pass *sniffle* or quick intake of air through the nose that makes a sound. What does this mean? It seems wholly subconscious. Are we tracking a scent? Are they sticking their nose in the air in an aristocratic air of disapproval? I've noticed this phenomenon, so I consciously avert my sniffling because I don't even know why it happens, or what it means. But now I hear it from passers-by all the time. It's definitely not allergies; it seems very focused.

What's the best way to react to a socially awkward situation?

gregb1007 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:51:01 -0800

What's the best way to react to a socially awkward situation? What I mean to talk about here is those kind of conversations with people you know just a bit that turn sour.

Sort of as in neither side says anything mean, but both people don't understand what the other person is trying to get at and get very finicky and frustrated as a result. And then silence and awkwardness follows.

The funny thing about such a situation is that though it really is no big deal and nothing particularly negative has happened, there's still a major feeling of a bad vibe. There's also the sense that because this conversation has gotten off to a bad start, future occasions will be impacted with the same awkwardness and/or perhaps a strategy of avoidance. (There's already an instictive avoidance that is grabbing hold of me)

Sorry for the long-windedness, but what's the best way to sort of deal with this situation?

Best HCI Examples In Pop Culture

libraryman — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:09:26 -0800

What are the best examples of human/computer interaction in tv and movies (please mention specific scenes and episodes if you can). ex: HAL in 2001, The touch screen in Minority Report, Scotty talking to the mouse in Star Trek IV -lol, etc...

Interaction design: do I need to be an artist?

saraswati — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:01:26 -0800

Conflicted about a career in interaction design, please help! I'm really interested in interaction design but I'm hearing a lot of confusing things from different people about how important a graphic design background is. My interest is more in HCI/human factors/user research and my artistic skills are fairly lacking. I can do rough interface sketches, but more advanced graphic design stuff escapes me.

To anyone working in the field already: are there people working in design with these kinds of interests alongside the artists or is it more typical that the designer is a combination of my interests and artistic ability and my kind are the "analysts" doing user testing on prototypes and crunching numbers? I know it probably varies a great deal between companies but I'm hoping to find a general consensus so I know where I stand.

Thanks!

Y'know, I'd really like to be a luthier.

tmcw — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:07:48 -0800

I'm a college sophomore on my way to a CS Major / Religion Minor. Apparently my initial career options (just from that major) are a little bit better than my English-major friends. But I'd much rather make interesting things than work in a cubicle. How do I do this? My school offers a little bit of engineering, but it's basically a physics minor. Not incredibly practical, but somewhat. What inspires me are companies that make things that are useful and really change lives. iPods, wah pedals, guitars, zoom lenses, etc. A company like Frog Design, I'd kill to work at. How should I go about this? Is it possible / practical / worth it at all? I'm thinking of attempting to get into an HCI program, maybe at CMU, but I know that program is nearly impossible (I have a 3.9 major gpa, but outside of my major it ain't so hot).
The thing is, compiler construction and algorithm analysis just annoys me. And computer science (as opposed to engineering) has a whole lot of that. I'd like to have a tangible effect on the world. But... how? Also, I have some business classes, and some art talent.

Mental decline, perception and creativity.

allterrainbrain — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:39:00 -0800

Mental decline, perception and creativity. Layperson looking to understand the medical changes that happen during aging-related mental decline, mental illness and dementia -- and looking for any research or just speculation re. various ways "reduced function" might translate into "different/new function" or "different modes of perception." (I'm getting plenty of info by Googling, but I'm asking here in case people want to point me to their favorite resources or add their own thoughts.)

I'm thinking about this because of a creative project I might get to do (making audio/music in collaboration with people who are in various stages of aging-related mental decline or illness).

I think (and I know other people think) concepts like dementia, mental illness and "reduced mental function" are sometimes very gross-motor, reductive ways of talking about the various changes that can happen as a brain ages. (So if these changes can lead to new ways of perceiving the world, then what are some useful ways people who are experiencing those things can interact/communicate with people who aren't?) I also don't want to romanticize; I know in many cases reduced function is medically just that, and I want to get as clear an understanding as I can of the various ways the brain declines in physical terms and why.

I have no medical training but I am technically/academically oriented, so in addition to lay-terms resources, it's fine to recommend journal articles or other things I might have to work/Google to figure out. Thanks for any thoughts!

Help me provide thought provoking interaction in meetings

TheDonF — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:35:50 -0800

Help me break my meetings by making them more interactive. I manage a team of ~25 intranet publishers who have web skills varying from almost non-existent to fairly advanced. Once a quarter we have a meeting where I bring them up to date on what's happening in the business and explain some basic web principles (eg: all about alt text, writing good links).

I'm running a two hour meeting next week that's split between basic SEO principles and some coding "no nos" such as using tables for layout. I'm fine with the basic content of the meeting - I have screen shots, examples, explanations and so on. What I really need to avoid is 25 people sitting down and listening to me talk for almost 2 hours because there's no point in doing this as they'll get bored very quickly and will lose concentration. I need to get them thinking and doing things.

I'm really struggling to think of activities for people to do to get them thinking about the two topics. The coding "no nos" section is going to be based around not using tables for layout, making sure all information conveyed with colour is also available without colour and correct table markup. The SEO section will be on metadata, tags, lists, keywords and so on.

I'm open to almost any ideas but they must involve the people staying in the room (no running around doing treasure hunts, for example). Splitting people into small teams would be best so the stronger people support the weaker ones. Equipment I have at my disposal: one laptop connected to big screen, flip charts, pens, paper, glue, scissors. I'd guess the activity should probably last about 15-20 minutes. Help!

How to make a child comfortable around those that are different from them

MrMulan — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:14:50 -0800

How do I expose my 2 1/2 year old son to people who have handicaps, or chronic illnesses like CP or MS? I remember my mom taking me to her nursing home when I was younger, and am very glad she did. I also remember most of the patients/residents were extremely happy to see me.

I would like to hear from people who grew up with somebody with a chronic illness, or somebody who was fine and then became ill. Before my mom started taking me to the nursing home, I remember visiting my grandfather who had a stroke and tormenting him, and generally being a dick with with my other cousins. I think I was either 4 or 6. I still feel like a dick for doing that.

I don't really like the insert childrens' book series/television program here that deals with this for one token episode.

Are there any books/programs with recurring characters with disabilities? Can I take him anywhere? Can I volunteer somewhere with him?

Motivation, Leadership, Learning, Change

divabat — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 01:15:52 -0800

What other learning programs are out there that are similar to Sauve Scholars? The Sauve Scholars program describes itself as "an opportunity for highly-motivated people, under thirty, of demonstrated leadership potential, to come to Montreal for eight months to research, reflect, question and enlarge upon their understanding of the state of the world and their roles in effecting positive change." The program involves seminars with leaders in various fields, field trips, interaction with others from different countries, and working on a project related to social change.

What other programs out there are similar in structure and scope? Something that connects likeminded people, involves working on projects, and also involves different forms of learning such as seminars, trips, or hands-on learning, for people in their 20s? Something related to social development or creativity would be handy, but I'm open to all.

It doesn't have to be academic...the UN has yearly internships and fellowships that have a similar focus, for example. But it should be open to undergrads from anywhere in any field (in my case, I'm doing Creative Industries [writing and management], but any field is OK too, for research's sake).

Thank you!

How to play with a newborn?

justonegirl — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:33:22 -0800

Any ideas for interacting with a newborn? Our son is five weeks old and finally starting to have some chunks of awake/aware time in between his many naps and feedings. I'd like to interact with him more and start engaging him in some simple play, but so far, he's not responding much beyond a confused stare. He's not really focusing on toys or other objects (beyond human faces, and one can only wiggle one's nose and stick out one's tongue so much). One song in particular seems to soothe him when he's fussy, but he doesn't seem to have much reaction to other music. Any other parents -- or aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends -- have any ideas on meaningful interaction with a child this little?

Hi there!

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:32:10 -0800

If someone who knows your name greets you by not using your name, is that rude and/or disrespectful? Example: Co-worker come in. S/he walks down aisle at cube farm. Says "Hi Biff, Hi Muffy." To me: "Good morning." Am I being too sensitive? I tend to use folks first names if I know them. So I'd greet you by saying "Good morning, [your name here]. Are they saying 'Hey, you are not really registering on my radar screen."

Help! I need friends/socialization/stress relief

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 22:14:01 -0800

I am not good at interacting with people, making friends, or handling stress. Until I was 18 I spent most of my time avoiding my parents so I wouldn't get beaten for one reason or another. I took a lot of long walks and spent a lot of time alone. Over the first years of college I learned how to eat in public without breaking into a nervous sweat. That's probably the last big development in my socialization. Society confuses me. Hectic, loud, full of symbols that I don't know the meaning of--exchanges between people that mean something to both people but nothing to me. I'm confused, irritated, and intimidated just going outside.

I don't know how to interact with people beyond the basic "please" and "thank you." I tend to offend people, not on purpose but just from thoughtlessness. Society in general seems like a foreign civilization. I don't have many friends (one in town, who's currently very busy writing a dissertation) and don't know how to make any. I feel like I could use a Complete Idiot's Guide to Damn Near Everything. Manners doesn't cover enough--even small talk, or how to handle being smiled at without almost breaking into tears.

I've seen a lot of psychologists over the years but I don't know if I should take one now. I had a job I hated for seven years and then I quit after a big pay cut. The last interview I had, halfway through it the interviewer quit making eye contact. I doubt I'll be getting another job soon. I'll shoot myself in the head before I go back to that last one. I've got enough money for another year or so, without a psychologist.

I need some stress relief, but I hurt my wrist in a wreck last month and so most exercise is out of the question. Weight lifting, boxing, bike rides--can't do it. I can barely open a jar.

I need some new form of exercise. Jogging hurts my wrist. Walking, even for hours, isn't doing it.
I need to learn how to interact with people.
I need to learn how (and where?) to make friends.
I need someone to talk to.

Non-SF Fiction Where Online is Central Milieu?

staggernation — Fri, 06 Feb 2004 17:56:04 -0800

Fiction that centers on online interaction? [mo' inside makes it mo' inside] Fiction that centers on online interaction? [mo' inside makes it mo' inside]

I'm looking for any and all novels, short stories, plays, or (non-documentary) movies that deal with online communication—specifically, but not limited to, community interaction—as a central milieu and/or story element. BBSes, message boards, Usenet, weblogs, mailing lists, etc. But I'm not after SF/cyberpunk—I want stuff that deals with the contemporary realities of online life. (It doesn't have to be up-to-the-minute, though; a novel set in 1983 involving a BBS would be great.)

Also, please don't limit yourselves to works you've liked and would recommend; I'm equally as interested in fiction that does a hamfistedly awful job of dealing with this type of material. Genre fiction, self-published novels, chick-lit about online dating, whatever.

Yes, I have seen You've Got Mail. I'm also already aware of the following:

The Cybergypsies, Indra Sinha
Angelica's Grotto, Russell Hoban
Lucy Crocker 2.0, Caroline Preston
Virtual Terror, Jeri Fink
Love at First Type, Epstein LaRue
Men Seeking Women, anthology

And while we're at it, any nonfiction with in-depth first-person narratives of online experiences, along the lines of Deeper by John Seabrook or My Tiny Life by Julian Dibbell, would be great as well.