Research Overview

We are soliciting feedback on a redesign of GIMP’s user interface. Specifically, we wish to make an adaptable version of the interface that allows one to customize the interface to match one’s needs. Accordingly, we will post mock-ups of the interface to a public website (http://adaptablegimp.blogspot.com) where anyone can comment on the designs. This document describes the research project, its goals, and the terms you agree to when accessing web pages associated with this project.

This research is being led by Dr. Michael Terry (mterry@cs.uwaterloo.ca).

Research Study Description

Adaptable user interfaces are interfaces that modify their appearance and/or functionality to a user’s needs and tasks. We wish to explore these types of interfaces in the context of GIMP. Accordingly, we will post mock-ups of potential new GIMP user interface designs to solicit feedback from the user community. Your feedback will help us improve the design of the interfaces. Note that this effort is independent of the official GIMP development effort: This effort is being conducted by Dr. Michael Terry (mterry@cs.uwaterloo.ca) at the University of Waterloo. Also note that there is no guarantee that any of the mock-ups will ever be implemented. Though we hope to one day build an adaptable user interface, we make no guarantees that it will be implemented.

Participation

The research project’s web pages include the ability to post content. By accessing and using those pages, you agree not to post any material that is abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented, or that may violate any laws, be it of your country, Canada, or International Law. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move, or close any post, topic, information, content, and/or file at any time should we see fit. As a user of the web pages, you agree to have any information that you enter into them to be stored in a database. Furthermore, you agree to allow us to analyze content on the web pages a) to improve our user interface designs, and b) to understand how the public reacts to, and participates in, the overall usability process. You also agree that your posts may be a) directly used in future designs and b) quoted, summarized, paraphrased, or otherwise analyzed and presented in future publications and/or presentations, without future consultation.

Disclaimers

Because the project web pages are publicly accessible and allow anyone to post content, there are absolutely no guarantees with respect to the validity of the information found on them. None of the contributors, sponsors, administrators, or anyone else connected with this research project in any way whatsoever can be responsible for the appearance of any inaccurate or libelous information, or for your use of the information contained in or linked from the project web pages.

Principal Investigator

This study is being conducted by Professor Michael Terry in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. Questions should be directed to mterry@cs.uwaterloo.ca.

Participation is Voluntary

Participation in this research study is completely voluntary and can be stopped at any time by simply not accessing the website. However, as noted below, any and all data you submit will be kept indefinitely by the researcher.

Remuneration

You will not be remunerated for participation in the study. However, the information you provide may lead to more usable software as well as an increased understanding of how users of open source software contribute to usability efforts.

Confidentiality and Data Retention

All data will be kept indefinitely by the researcher. All posts are publicly accessible.

Support

We offer no support. However, if you have any questions about participation in this study, during or after the study, please contact Dr. Michael Terry at mterry@cs.uwaterloo.ca.

Consent

By accessing and using the project’s web pages, you are indicating your consent to participate in this study and are acknowledging that you may legally provide consent, or that you are a parent or legal guardian granting permission for your minor to participate in this study. If you are 13 years or younger, your parent or legal guardian should be aware that you are accessing the project's web pages and permit your access.

Your consent indicates that you have read this consent agreement and have had the opportunity to receive any additional details about the study, and that you agree, of your own free will, to participate in this study. Further, it indicates that you are aware that you may withdraw consent at any time by terminating your use of the project’s web pages.

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo. Any comments or concerns resulting from participation in this study may be directed to the Director of the Office of Research Ethics at +1 (519) 888-4567 ext. 36005, or via email at ssykes@uwaterloo.ca.