Investigating the problems experienced by virtual team members engaged in requirements elicitation
- Authors: De Abrew, Upuli Kanchana
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Virtual work teams Virtual work teams -- South Africa System design System analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007845
- Description: The constant acceleration in the rate of technological innovation, and the ever growing emphasis on the importance of information for competition has seen organisations around the world strive for the technologies that give them global customer reach. One of the most pervasive technological innovations developed is the internet, and its unique quality of being able to draw people from across the world together in one virtual space has given birth to the concept of virtual teams. Organisations have seized the advantages of such virtual teams to give them the cost and time reductions they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace. In the software industry, where product and service development is always a race against time, forward thinking software companies in the developed world have taken full advantage of the cost and time saving benefits that virtual teams have to offer. In addition, the rate of expansion of technology and software to support such teams is also growing exponentially, offering increasingly faster ways of virtual working. Despite the immense advantages offered by such teams, South African software development companies do not seem to engage in distributed work to any great degree. The importance of this research rests on the belief that South African software development companies will be unable to avoid engaging in distributed software development if they are to achieve and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace. This research focuses on a sub-section of the software development process with a specific reference to South African software development. The requirements elicitation phase of software development is one of the initial stages of any software project. It is here that developers work with the users in order to identify requirements for the system to be built. It is acknowledged that other phases of distributed development also bring to bear their own problems, however, in the interests of scoping this research, only the requirements elicitation process is focused on. The research shows that most techniques of requirements elicitation can be adapted for use within the virtual environment, although each technique has its share of advantages and disadvantages. In addition, virtual team members experience problems during their general, day-to-day interactions, many of these arising from the dependence on technology for communication and task performance. The research identifies the problems in both categories, and develops a holistic model of virtual requirements elicitation to prevent or solve the problems experienced by virtual teams engaged in distributed requirements elicitation. The model is made up of three key frameworks, each of which prescribes actions to be taken to ensure the success of the virtual team within the requirements elicitation process. The model is verified through the testing of its critical success factors. Certain aspects of the model were adapted based on the findings of the study, but it was confirmed that the rationale behind the model is sound, indicating that it has the potential to solve the problems of virtual RE when implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: De Abrew, Upuli Kanchana
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Virtual work teams Virtual work teams -- South Africa System design System analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007845
- Description: The constant acceleration in the rate of technological innovation, and the ever growing emphasis on the importance of information for competition has seen organisations around the world strive for the technologies that give them global customer reach. One of the most pervasive technological innovations developed is the internet, and its unique quality of being able to draw people from across the world together in one virtual space has given birth to the concept of virtual teams. Organisations have seized the advantages of such virtual teams to give them the cost and time reductions they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace. In the software industry, where product and service development is always a race against time, forward thinking software companies in the developed world have taken full advantage of the cost and time saving benefits that virtual teams have to offer. In addition, the rate of expansion of technology and software to support such teams is also growing exponentially, offering increasingly faster ways of virtual working. Despite the immense advantages offered by such teams, South African software development companies do not seem to engage in distributed work to any great degree. The importance of this research rests on the belief that South African software development companies will be unable to avoid engaging in distributed software development if they are to achieve and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace. This research focuses on a sub-section of the software development process with a specific reference to South African software development. The requirements elicitation phase of software development is one of the initial stages of any software project. It is here that developers work with the users in order to identify requirements for the system to be built. It is acknowledged that other phases of distributed development also bring to bear their own problems, however, in the interests of scoping this research, only the requirements elicitation process is focused on. The research shows that most techniques of requirements elicitation can be adapted for use within the virtual environment, although each technique has its share of advantages and disadvantages. In addition, virtual team members experience problems during their general, day-to-day interactions, many of these arising from the dependence on technology for communication and task performance. The research identifies the problems in both categories, and develops a holistic model of virtual requirements elicitation to prevent or solve the problems experienced by virtual teams engaged in distributed requirements elicitation. The model is made up of three key frameworks, each of which prescribes actions to be taken to ensure the success of the virtual team within the requirements elicitation process. The model is verified through the testing of its critical success factors. Certain aspects of the model were adapted based on the findings of the study, but it was confirmed that the rationale behind the model is sound, indicating that it has the potential to solve the problems of virtual RE when implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation of social computing
- Authors: Schlenkrich, Lara
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006194 , Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Description: Social network sites have recently become extremely popular online destinations as they offer users easy ways to build and maintain their relationships with each other. Consequently, students, lecturers, teachers, parents and businesses are using these tools to communicate with each other in a fast and cost-effective manner. However, literature suggests that the full potential of social network sites has not yet been revealed since users are still battling to overcome the various negative characteristics surrounding these sites. A framework for appropriate use of these sites is needed so that users are able to overcome these negative aspects, allowing them to be more effective and use the sites successfully. The goal of this research is to construct a framework for perceived successful use of social computing tools in educational institutions. This framework will include critical success factors that need to be adopted by users in order to develop the positive aspects of social computing, while at the same time overcoming the disadvantages experienced by users. Factors for successful use were derived from the literature and consolidated into a theoretical framework in order to understand the factors that drive successful use of social network sites. Measures used to test successful use of social network sites were also derived from these sources and were included in the same theoretical framework; these measures allow users to evaluate the extent of perceived successful use of social network sites. This framework was tested empirically by means of a pilot study and online survey, and revised according to the results of the survey. The factors were identified using Cronbach alpha coefficients (in the pilot study) and exploratory factor analysis to confirm the reliability of the scales developed. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, t-tests and Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the framework proposed in this research. The factors influencing perceived successful use of social network sites were identified by the empirical study as: • Privacy and Security Settings need to be enabled. These are split into: - Settings: content that users allow others to see - Viewers: people who are allowed onto a user's profile • It is necessary for users to practise Legal and Acceptable Activities when using social network sites • Suspect Information needs to be checked before sharing it with others • Personal and Professional Time needs to be separated to ensure that work is completed before social activities occur • Users need to practise Professional and Ethical Behaviour • Users need to have a Positive Attitude when using social network sites • Usability of sites affects their success. This includes: - technical capacity (broadband) - ease of use - functionality (range of features and functions) • Current and Controversial Issues need to be discussed on social network sites. The extent to which social network sites are being used successfully can be evaluated by the presence of the following measures: • Range of Content must be available to users. This includes: - Content displayed on profiles - Viewers able to visit profiles • Visitors Behaviour is monitored and no unwanted visitors are present users' profiles • Social Contracts found on sites are followed by users • Critical Thinking Skills and Accurate Information are displayed by users • Work is completed before social activities occur on sites • A Variety of Users is present on sites • Collaboration between people as well as variety of opinions exist on sites • Social Capital (well-being) is present after users have been on sites • Learning and Advising Skills are enhanced on sites. The framework developed provides users with a useful instrument to overcome the negative characteristics associated with social network sites. If used successfully, social network sites can offer lecturers and students a unique method to develop their relationship, creating a positive learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Schlenkrich, Lara
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006194 , Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Description: Social network sites have recently become extremely popular online destinations as they offer users easy ways to build and maintain their relationships with each other. Consequently, students, lecturers, teachers, parents and businesses are using these tools to communicate with each other in a fast and cost-effective manner. However, literature suggests that the full potential of social network sites has not yet been revealed since users are still battling to overcome the various negative characteristics surrounding these sites. A framework for appropriate use of these sites is needed so that users are able to overcome these negative aspects, allowing them to be more effective and use the sites successfully. The goal of this research is to construct a framework for perceived successful use of social computing tools in educational institutions. This framework will include critical success factors that need to be adopted by users in order to develop the positive aspects of social computing, while at the same time overcoming the disadvantages experienced by users. Factors for successful use were derived from the literature and consolidated into a theoretical framework in order to understand the factors that drive successful use of social network sites. Measures used to test successful use of social network sites were also derived from these sources and were included in the same theoretical framework; these measures allow users to evaluate the extent of perceived successful use of social network sites. This framework was tested empirically by means of a pilot study and online survey, and revised according to the results of the survey. The factors were identified using Cronbach alpha coefficients (in the pilot study) and exploratory factor analysis to confirm the reliability of the scales developed. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, t-tests and Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the framework proposed in this research. The factors influencing perceived successful use of social network sites were identified by the empirical study as: • Privacy and Security Settings need to be enabled. These are split into: - Settings: content that users allow others to see - Viewers: people who are allowed onto a user's profile • It is necessary for users to practise Legal and Acceptable Activities when using social network sites • Suspect Information needs to be checked before sharing it with others • Personal and Professional Time needs to be separated to ensure that work is completed before social activities occur • Users need to practise Professional and Ethical Behaviour • Users need to have a Positive Attitude when using social network sites • Usability of sites affects their success. This includes: - technical capacity (broadband) - ease of use - functionality (range of features and functions) • Current and Controversial Issues need to be discussed on social network sites. The extent to which social network sites are being used successfully can be evaluated by the presence of the following measures: • Range of Content must be available to users. This includes: - Content displayed on profiles - Viewers able to visit profiles • Visitors Behaviour is monitored and no unwanted visitors are present users' profiles • Social Contracts found on sites are followed by users • Critical Thinking Skills and Accurate Information are displayed by users • Work is completed before social activities occur on sites • A Variety of Users is present on sites • Collaboration between people as well as variety of opinions exist on sites • Social Capital (well-being) is present after users have been on sites • Learning and Advising Skills are enhanced on sites. The framework developed provides users with a useful instrument to overcome the negative characteristics associated with social network sites. If used successfully, social network sites can offer lecturers and students a unique method to develop their relationship, creating a positive learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A study of the factors influencing the success of internet marketing in small South African tourism businesses
- Authors: Elliott, Roger Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Strategic planning , Marketing -- Management , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016252
- Description: The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to job creation, economic growth, and redressing past imbalances in South Africa as it has been recognised as an underexploited sector with considerable potential for growth. The majority of tourism enterprises fall within the definition of small businesses, which have been identified as the most appropriate enterprises through which the economic challenges facing South Africa can be addressed. Small businesses differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The focus of this study is to identify the primary factors driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified, this will allow existing and emerging small businesses to access markets and retain customers more easily leading to a proliferation of these enterprises. A theoretical model was formulated from the literature in which the factors influencing the success of Internet marketing were identified. These factors can broadly be divided into generic (marketing or management) factors and Internet specific factors. The technological aspects of the Internet were not ignored, but regarded as a resource to be managed rather than an autonomous source of competitive advantage. This model was tested by making use of a large-scale empirical study. Convenience sampling was used and the data was collected from small tourism businesses (that is businesses with fewer than 100 employees) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to confirm the reliability of these scales. Structural equation modelling was used as the principal mode of statistical analysis to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the model proposed in this study. A correlation analysis was used to measure the impact of marketing objectives on the success of Internet marketing. The primary determinants of the success of Internet marketing in small businesses operating in the tow-ism sector in South Africa were identified by the empirical study as: Product champion Links Alliances Owner-manager knowledge Entrepreneurial orientation Owner-manager vision Customer orientation Marketing objectives Interestingly, one factor, Strategic planning, recorded a negative influence on the success of Internet marketing. This is possibly because the owner-manager felt that this was a redundant exercise given the dominant and pervasive influence of the owner-manager in all spheres of the business. Nevertheless, if small tourism firms consider the factors identified in this thesis as essential aspects in the use of the Internet for marketing, this will allow them to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to their prosperity, namely, the access to markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Elliott, Roger Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Strategic planning , Marketing -- Management , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016252
- Description: The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to job creation, economic growth, and redressing past imbalances in South Africa as it has been recognised as an underexploited sector with considerable potential for growth. The majority of tourism enterprises fall within the definition of small businesses, which have been identified as the most appropriate enterprises through which the economic challenges facing South Africa can be addressed. Small businesses differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The focus of this study is to identify the primary factors driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified, this will allow existing and emerging small businesses to access markets and retain customers more easily leading to a proliferation of these enterprises. A theoretical model was formulated from the literature in which the factors influencing the success of Internet marketing were identified. These factors can broadly be divided into generic (marketing or management) factors and Internet specific factors. The technological aspects of the Internet were not ignored, but regarded as a resource to be managed rather than an autonomous source of competitive advantage. This model was tested by making use of a large-scale empirical study. Convenience sampling was used and the data was collected from small tourism businesses (that is businesses with fewer than 100 employees) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to confirm the reliability of these scales. Structural equation modelling was used as the principal mode of statistical analysis to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the model proposed in this study. A correlation analysis was used to measure the impact of marketing objectives on the success of Internet marketing. The primary determinants of the success of Internet marketing in small businesses operating in the tow-ism sector in South Africa were identified by the empirical study as: Product champion Links Alliances Owner-manager knowledge Entrepreneurial orientation Owner-manager vision Customer orientation Marketing objectives Interestingly, one factor, Strategic planning, recorded a negative influence on the success of Internet marketing. This is possibly because the owner-manager felt that this was a redundant exercise given the dominant and pervasive influence of the owner-manager in all spheres of the business. Nevertheless, if small tourism firms consider the factors identified in this thesis as essential aspects in the use of the Internet for marketing, this will allow them to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to their prosperity, namely, the access to markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An evaluation of "on-line" banking web sites in South Africa to determine essential design criteria
- Authors: Palmer, Lydia
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- South Africa Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa Home banking services -- South Africa Electronic funds transfers -- South Africa Web sites -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007667
- Description: The use of the Web to carry out business on the Internet has become a viable option in all business sectors, and Internet banking in South Africa is no exception. The nature of business on the Internet in South Africa and the World is investigated. The extent of Internet banking in South Africa is ascertained and the expectations and perceived problems of online bankers are discussed. The importance of Human Computer Interface and Web Interface Design for successful business is promoted with a discussion of their guidelines and principles. Web Evaluation techniques and Tools are assessed and The "Gartner" Web evaluation tool is selected to evaluate the three bank Web sites. The results of the evaluation indicate that there are several generally well implemented design criteria used by all of the banks while some criteria are not implemented at all. Each bank is discussed individually to identify strong and weak features of their Web site design. Essential aspects of Web design have been proposed for inclusion during the design of "online" Banking Web sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Palmer, Lydia
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- South Africa Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa Home banking services -- South Africa Electronic funds transfers -- South Africa Web sites -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007667
- Description: The use of the Web to carry out business on the Internet has become a viable option in all business sectors, and Internet banking in South Africa is no exception. The nature of business on the Internet in South Africa and the World is investigated. The extent of Internet banking in South Africa is ascertained and the expectations and perceived problems of online bankers are discussed. The importance of Human Computer Interface and Web Interface Design for successful business is promoted with a discussion of their guidelines and principles. Web Evaluation techniques and Tools are assessed and The "Gartner" Web evaluation tool is selected to evaluate the three bank Web sites. The results of the evaluation indicate that there are several generally well implemented design criteria used by all of the banks while some criteria are not implemented at all. Each bank is discussed individually to identify strong and weak features of their Web site design. Essential aspects of Web design have been proposed for inclusion during the design of "online" Banking Web sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Design of a performance evaluation tool for multimedia databases with special reference to Oracle
- Authors: Stakemire, Tonia
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Oracle (Computer file) , Application software -- Evaluation , Database management -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015975
- Description: Increased production and use of multimedia data has led to the development of a more advanced Database Management System (DBMS), like an Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS). These advanced databases are necessitated by the complexity in structure and the functionality required by multimedia data. Unfortunately, no suitable benchmarks exist with which to test the performance of databases when handling multimedia data. This thesis describes the design of a benchmark to measure the performance of basic functionality found in multimedia databases. The benchmark, called MORD (Multimedia Object Relational Databases), targets Oracle, a well known commercial Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS) that can handle multimedia data. Although MORD targets Oracle, it can easily be applied to other Multimedia Database Management System (MMDBMS) as a result of a design that stressed its portability, and simplicity. MORD consists of a database schema, test data, and code to simulate representative queries on multimedia databases. A number of experiments are described that validate MORD and ensure its correct design and that its objectives are met. A by-product of these experiments is an initial understanding of the performance of multimedia databases. The experiments show that with multimedia data the buffer cache should be at least large enough to hold the largest dataset, a bigger block size improves the performance, and turning off logging and caching for bulk loading improves the performance. MORD can be used to compare different ORDBMS or to assist in the configuration of a specific database.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Stakemire, Tonia
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Oracle (Computer file) , Application software -- Evaluation , Database management -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015975
- Description: Increased production and use of multimedia data has led to the development of a more advanced Database Management System (DBMS), like an Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS). These advanced databases are necessitated by the complexity in structure and the functionality required by multimedia data. Unfortunately, no suitable benchmarks exist with which to test the performance of databases when handling multimedia data. This thesis describes the design of a benchmark to measure the performance of basic functionality found in multimedia databases. The benchmark, called MORD (Multimedia Object Relational Databases), targets Oracle, a well known commercial Object Relational Database Management System (ORDBMS) that can handle multimedia data. Although MORD targets Oracle, it can easily be applied to other Multimedia Database Management System (MMDBMS) as a result of a design that stressed its portability, and simplicity. MORD consists of a database schema, test data, and code to simulate representative queries on multimedia databases. A number of experiments are described that validate MORD and ensure its correct design and that its objectives are met. A by-product of these experiments is an initial understanding of the performance of multimedia databases. The experiments show that with multimedia data the buffer cache should be at least large enough to hold the largest dataset, a bigger block size improves the performance, and turning off logging and caching for bulk loading improves the performance. MORD can be used to compare different ORDBMS or to assist in the configuration of a specific database.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Modelling parallel and distributed virtual reality systems for performance analysis and comparison
- Authors: Bangay, Shaun Douglas
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Virtual reality Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006656
- Description: Most Virtual Reality systems employ some form of parallel processing, making use of multiple processors which are often distributed over large areas geographically, and which communicate via various forms of message passing. The approaches to parallel decomposition differ for each system, as do the performance implications of each approach. Previous comparisons have only identified and categorized the different approaches. None have examined the performance issues involved in the different parallel decompositions. Performance measurement for a Virtual Reality system differs from that of other parallel systems in that some measure of the delays involved with the interaction of the separate components is required, in addition to the measure of the throughput of the system. Existing performance analysis approaches are typically not well suited to providing both these measures. This thesis describes the development of a performance analysis technique that is able to provide measures of both interaction latency and cycle time for a model of a Virtual Reality system. This technique allows performance measures to be generated as symbolic expressions describing the relationships between the delays in the model. It automatically generates constraint regions, specifying the values of the system parameters for which performance characteristics change. The performance analysis technique shows strong agreement with values measured from implementation of three common decomposition strategies on two message passing architectures. The technique is successfully applied to a range of parallel decomposition strategies found in Parallel and Distributed Virtual Reality systems. For each system, the primary decomposition techniques are isolated and analysed to determine their performance characteristics. This analysis allows a comparison of the various decomposition techniques, and in many cases reveals trends in their behaviour that would have gone unnoticed with alternative analysis techniques. The work described in this thesis supports the Performance Analysis and Comparison of Parallel and Distributed Virtual Reality systems. In addition it acts as a reference, describing the performance characteristics of decomposition strategies used in Virtual Reality systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Bangay, Shaun Douglas
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Virtual reality Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006656
- Description: Most Virtual Reality systems employ some form of parallel processing, making use of multiple processors which are often distributed over large areas geographically, and which communicate via various forms of message passing. The approaches to parallel decomposition differ for each system, as do the performance implications of each approach. Previous comparisons have only identified and categorized the different approaches. None have examined the performance issues involved in the different parallel decompositions. Performance measurement for a Virtual Reality system differs from that of other parallel systems in that some measure of the delays involved with the interaction of the separate components is required, in addition to the measure of the throughput of the system. Existing performance analysis approaches are typically not well suited to providing both these measures. This thesis describes the development of a performance analysis technique that is able to provide measures of both interaction latency and cycle time for a model of a Virtual Reality system. This technique allows performance measures to be generated as symbolic expressions describing the relationships between the delays in the model. It automatically generates constraint regions, specifying the values of the system parameters for which performance characteristics change. The performance analysis technique shows strong agreement with values measured from implementation of three common decomposition strategies on two message passing architectures. The technique is successfully applied to a range of parallel decomposition strategies found in Parallel and Distributed Virtual Reality systems. For each system, the primary decomposition techniques are isolated and analysed to determine their performance characteristics. This analysis allows a comparison of the various decomposition techniques, and in many cases reveals trends in their behaviour that would have gone unnoticed with alternative analysis techniques. The work described in this thesis supports the Performance Analysis and Comparison of Parallel and Distributed Virtual Reality systems. In addition it acts as a reference, describing the performance characteristics of decomposition strategies used in Virtual Reality systems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Virtual sculpting : an investigation of directly manipulated free-form deformation in a virtual environment
- Authors: Gain, James Edward
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Computer simulation , Computer graphics , Virtual reality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006661 , Computer simulation , Computer graphics , Virtual reality
- Description: This thesis presents a Virtual Sculpting system, which addresses the problem of Free-Form Solid Modelling. The disparate elements of a Polygon-Mesh representation, a Directly Manipulated Free-Form Deformation sculpting tool, and a Virtual Environment are drawn into a cohesive whole under the mantle of a clay-sculpting metaphor. This enables a user to mould and manipulate a synthetic solid interactively as if it were composed of malleable clay. The focus of this study is on the interactivity, intuitivity and versatility of such a system. To this end, a range of improvements is investigated which significantly enhances the efficiency and correctness of Directly Manipulated Free-Form Deformation, both separately and as a seamless component of the Virtual Sculpting system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Gain, James Edward
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Computer simulation , Computer graphics , Virtual reality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006661 , Computer simulation , Computer graphics , Virtual reality
- Description: This thesis presents a Virtual Sculpting system, which addresses the problem of Free-Form Solid Modelling. The disparate elements of a Polygon-Mesh representation, a Directly Manipulated Free-Form Deformation sculpting tool, and a Virtual Environment are drawn into a cohesive whole under the mantle of a clay-sculpting metaphor. This enables a user to mould and manipulate a synthetic solid interactively as if it were composed of malleable clay. The focus of this study is on the interactivity, intuitivity and versatility of such a system. To this end, a range of improvements is investigated which significantly enhances the efficiency and correctness of Directly Manipulated Free-Form Deformation, both separately and as a seamless component of the Virtual Sculpting system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
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