Browsing by Author "Youngblood, Norman E."
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Item Influence of technology on perceptions of films: How audience gender, audience grouping, and presentation format affects enjoyment of content displayed on television, PCs, and laptops.(Texas Tech University, 2005-08) Fisher, Howard D.; Callison, Coy; Reeves, Jimmie; Youngblood, Norman E.How presentation technology influences perceptions of films displayed on that technology as well as how gender dynamics influenced perceptions of technology and viewing experience was investigated. Research participants (N = 282) were divided into three technology conditions (television, desktop computer, laptop computer) and into four group conditions (mixed-gender, all female, all male, individuals). Participants viewed portions of two films and answered questions regarding their perceptions of the films, the group environment (for those participating in groups), and the equipment on which the films were viewed. Results indicated that participants perceived no differences in the films based on the technology on which they viewed them. Group participants also indicated a preference for viewing films when members of the opposite sex were present rather than absent. Participants perceived the greatest ease of use when working with the laptop computer instead of either the TV or the desktop computer. The results imply that, for this generation at least, technology has no impact on perceptions of films and that corporations may market convergent technologies such as the Playstation Portable without worrying that content will be negatively affected by the technology on which it is viewed.Item Nielsen versus Nielsen: A usability analysis of television homepages(2006-08) McDermand, Amanda; Youngblood, Norman E.; Callison, Coy; Gallagher, Amanda H.Several studies explore the design and usability of homepages, but none have investigated both in the context of local television Web sites. A content analysis of 173 local and eight national television homepages stratified by Designated Market Area (DMA) rank and station rating within a DMA provide insight into how these homepages follow recommended usability guidelines proposed by Jakob Nielsen. Additionally, this research seeks to discover major design trends found on local television homepages based on a high or low DMA rank. This study revealed through a correlation analysis that DMA rank does not correlate with usability score; however, station rating within a DMA and usability score are correlated. Furthermore, DMA rank and station rating within a DMA are correlated with homepage traffic and the number of interactivity features found on a homepage. These findings suggest usability standards may need revisions based on the rapid growth and adoption of the Web.Item Nielsen versus Nielsen: a usability analysis of television homepages(Texas Tech University, 2006-08) McDermand, Amanda; Youngblood, Norman E.; Gallagher, Amanda H.; Callison, CoySeveral studies explore the design and usability of homepages, but none have investigated both in the context of local television Web sites. A content analysis of 173 local and eight national television homepages stratified by Designated Market Area (DMA) rank and station rating within a DMA provide insight into how these homepages follow recommended usability guidelines proposed by Jakob Nielsen. Additionally, this research seeks to discover major design trends found on local television homepages based on a high or low DMA rank. This study revealed through a correlation analysis that DMA rank does not correlate with usability score; however, station rating within a DMA and usability score are correlated. Furthermore, DMA rank and station rating within a DMA are correlated with homepage traffic and the number of interactivity features found on a homepage. These findings suggest usability standards may need revisions based on the rapid growth and adoption of the Web.Item The development of landmine warfare(Texas Tech University, 2002-12) Youngblood, Norman E.This dissertation traces the technical, tactical, and ethical developments in landmine warfare from its genesis some 3 000 years ago through the present. It is based largely on primary sources and relies heavily on government documents and military manuals. Landmine warfare developed from two disparate areas. The first, dating to at least the Assyrian Empire, involved digging a tunnel under a fortification in order to collapse its walls. The second is the use of pit-traps, caltrops, and other devices to form a defensive barrier and deny an enemy access to an area. The first modern pressure-sensitive landmine was developed by Immanuel Nobel in the 1850s and first used during the Crimean War. Confederate Brigadier General Gabriel Rains copied Nobel's design during the American Civil War, and variants of Nobel's fuse are still in use. While landmines were used as part of fortification defenses after the American Civil War, the use of landmines did not become widespread until World War II. World War Two saw the development of cheap, easy-to deploy landmines and air-delivered minefields. Previous armies had typically used fewer than 100 landmines to secure a defensive position. In contrast, during the battle of Kursk in World War II, Soviet forces deployed over a half million landmines to secure their defenses. Despite some debate during the American Civil War as to where it was appropriate to use landmines, the use of landmines per se was not really questioned until the 1980s. In large part, this was a reaction to the millions of landmines used in the wars of insurgency and civil wars following World War II. Millions of these landmines are still active, and landmines injure an average of 24,000 people every year. In 1997, representatives of 122 countries signed the Ottawa Convention and promised to stop using antipersonnel mines and to destroy their existing stockpiles of antipersonnel mines. Some countries, including the United States, have not signed the treaty, however, and the use both antipersonnel and antitank mines is still standard practice for many militaries.