title: On the use of mobile tools in everyday life

authors: Pascoe, Jason

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper explores how mobile tools are used in everyday life and investigates the issues surrounding their usage, or indeed, their lack of usage. Personal computers support us in a wide range of our desk-bound activities, but there is still relatively little use of computer-based tools in other parts of our day-to-day lives. We hypothesise that this is because certain barriers-to-use exist that discourage their use in everyday environments, namely that the tools are not readily to hand at the time of need and/or that they distract the user's attention too much from the surrounding environment or main task at hand.
We briefly present our concept of a Smartwatch -- a wrist-worn form of a general-purpose wearable computer -- that aims to overcome these barriers. However, we strongly believe that a prerequisite to the successful development of this, and other types of mobile devices, is a better understanding of the use, or disuse, of mobile tools in everyday life (including traditional and paper-based solutions). To gain this understanding we conducted a diary study in which a group of twelve volunteers recorded their usage of mobile tools over a period of 2 days. With the large volume of data that was collected we performed a qualitative analysis based on grounded theory techniques, resulting in a comprehensive and detailed picture of the use of mobile tools in everyday life. From this understanding we have drawn out nine key themes which we present in some detail in this paper, including: situational versus portability strategies, the mobility of information, new behaviours derived from mobile phone usage, the importance of creative expression, concern over privacy and security issues, and the demonstrated existence of the barriers-to-use.

text: On the use of mobile tools in everyday life This paper explores how mobile tools are used in everyday life and investigates the issues surrounding their usage, or indeed, their lack of usage. Personal computers support us in a wide range of our desk-bound activities, but there is still relatively little use of computer-based tools in other parts of our day-to-day lives. We hypothesise that this is because certain barriers-to-use exist that discourage their use in everyday environments, namely that the tools are not readily to hand at the time of need and/or that they distract the user's attention too much from the surrounding environment or main task at hand.
We briefly present our concept of a Smartwatch -- a wrist-worn form of a general-purpose wearable computer -- that aims to overcome these barriers. However, we strongly believe that a prerequisite to the successful development of this, and other types of mobile devices, is a better understanding of the use, or disuse, of mobile tools in everyday life (including traditional and paper-based solutions). To gain this understanding we conducted a diary study in which a group of twelve volunteers recorded their usage of mobile tools over a period of 2 days. With the large volume of data that was collected we performed a qualitative analysis based on grounded theory techniques, resulting in a comprehensive and detailed picture of the use of mobile tools in everyday life. From this understanding we have drawn out nine key themes which we present in some detail in this paper, including: situational versus portability strategies, the mobility of information, new behaviours derived from mobile phone usage, the importance of creative expression, concern over privacy and security issues, and the demonstrated existence of the barriers-to-use.

year: 2007

title: Influence of powder forging and heat treatment conditions on the properties of the cost-effective Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy

authors: Bolzoni, Leandro

abstract: The Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy is a cheaper α+β Ti alloy with mechanical performance comparable to those of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy whose cost could be further reduced by producing it via powder metallurgy. In this study, the effect of the thermomechanical deformation temperature on the properties of the Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy produced from elemental powders was studied. Furthermore, the effect of the modification of the microstructure via heat treatments on the properties of the forged billets was analysed. This study demonstrates that powder forging can successfully be used to manufacture α+β Ti alloys and the selection of the forging temperature significantly affects the mechanical behaviour, where the lower the forging temperature the stronger and the less ductile the material. The post-processing via solution treatment plus aging generally improves the mechanical properties of the Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy, especially in terms of ductility, without compromising the strength.

text: Influence of powder forging and heat treatment conditions on the properties of the cost-effective Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy The Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy is a cheaper α+β Ti alloy with mechanical performance comparable to those of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy whose cost could be further reduced by producing it via powder metallurgy. In this study, the effect of the thermomechanical deformation temperature on the properties of the Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy produced from elemental powders was studied. Furthermore, the effect of the modification of the microstructure via heat treatments on the properties of the forged billets was analysed. This study demonstrates that powder forging can successfully be used to manufacture α+β Ti alloys and the selection of the forging temperature significantly affects the mechanical behaviour, where the lower the forging temperature the stronger and the less ductile the material. The post-processing via solution treatment plus aging generally improves the mechanical properties of the Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy, especially in terms of ductility, without compromising the strength.

year: 2023-01-01

title: Supervision as cultural partnership: Contributions to dialogue

authors: Crocket, Kathie

abstract: The term cultural supervision has been coined as part of a strategy that implicates supervision in the support and development of culturally appropriate therapeutic practice. In Aotearoa New Zealand particular focus has been given to supervision where the client is Māori and the practitioner is a member of the dominant Pākehā culture particularly, or of other non-Māori cultures. However, while the phrase cultural supervision has entered common professional parlance, the practice has had little research attention in counselling/psychotherapy in New Zealand. Cultural supervision appears to encompass a range of understandings, and there is no clear agreement about practice implications. It is unclear what alignment there is between aspirations, regulations, and practice. This article reports on an exploratory qualitative study that investigated how supervision might work in supporting culturally appropriate counselling practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study’s findings are presented as a multi-voiced dialogue. This arts-based representational practice enacts the uncertainties of post-colonial experience. Its intention is to make assumptions, ideas, and practices available for discussion. Its contribution is to join current dialogue about supervision and culture, and to raise further questions about how supervision and culturally appropriate practice come together.

text: Supervision as cultural partnership: Contributions to dialogue The term cultural supervision has been coined as part of a strategy that implicates supervision in the support and development of culturally appropriate therapeutic practice. In Aotearoa New Zealand particular focus has been given to supervision where the client is Māori and the practitioner is a member of the dominant Pākehā culture particularly, or of other non-Māori cultures. However, while the phrase cultural supervision has entered common professional parlance, the practice has had little research attention in counselling/psychotherapy in New Zealand. Cultural supervision appears to encompass a range of understandings, and there is no clear agreement about practice implications. It is unclear what alignment there is between aspirations, regulations, and practice. This article reports on an exploratory qualitative study that investigated how supervision might work in supporting culturally appropriate counselling practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study’s findings are presented as a multi-voiced dialogue. This arts-based representational practice enacts the uncertainties of post-colonial experience. Its intention is to make assumptions, ideas, and practices available for discussion. Its contribution is to join current dialogue about supervision and culture, and to raise further questions about how supervision and culturally appropriate practice come together.

year: 2015