Interfaces for the Active Web

The web is changing. Its pages are no longer static, but moving, changing, interacting. Even as we watch, it is evolving from an information repository into a distributed interface to a global networked computational engine. But this change has its price. Can users understand what they are seeing? What is the appropriate technology? How do we ensure that the goals and objectives of our highly dynamic and interactive sites are met?

To find correct answers to these, as with all design problems, we must surely match the technology to the needs. Sometimes, for marketing or image reasons this means using the newest technology just because it is the newest and sexiest. But when functionality and usability matter it is likely to mean using a blend of technologies and often a socio-technical solution, involving, dare we say it, people!

This special issue of Interacting with Computers will focus on issues surrounding the design, development and evaluation of dynamic interfaces for the Web. Potential topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

Design approaches and techniques suitable for dynamic web content Usability studies regarding active web front-ends Client/server technologies and standards Database-driven approaches Emerging end-user devices (e.g. mobile and small-screen devices, web-phone, web-TV)

Dialogue persistence and state Intelligence and knowledge-based support Web accessibility Multi-lingual approaches E-commerce solutions Software tool support Personalisation at the web interface

Other Information

Please also see our pages from the Active Web Day Conference held in January 1999, which include full on-line copies of the proceedings. Paper copies of these are also available on request. Contact Dave Clarke or Alan Dix below for further information.

Guest Editors