Title: Perspectives on the evaluation of affective quality in social software

Authors: Elaine C.S. Hayashi; Lara Schibelsky Godoy Piccolo; Maria Cecília Calani Baranauskas

Addresses: IC-UNICAMP, Cx Postal 6176-3083970, Campinas, SP, Brazil ' Fundação CPqD/IC-UNICAMP, Rod. Campinas-Mogi, km, 118, 5 Campinas, SP, Brazil ' IC/NIED-UNICAMP, CX Postal 6176-3083970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Abstract: Enormous changes in the computing field are being experienced, altering the way we relate ourselves with computational technology. If computers had at first limited function and presence in our lives, they are now being used everywhere, all the time, for a multitude of purposes and interaction means for interactivity, supporting even our social relations. This shift calls for new ways of evaluating systems, demanding attention not only to usability and accessibility issues but also to the emotional and affective ones. This paper presents a brief review on theory and methods for affective evaluation of computer systems, as a preliminary discussion on the suitability of existing methods for social software applications. The discussion is instantiated in inclusive social software - Vila na Rede, a system developed under a participatory design approach with the purpose of fostering a digital culture among the less favoured segment in the Brazilian society.

Keywords: human-computer interaction; HCI; inclusive social networks; ISNs; affective quality; emotional design; computer systems; social software; participatory design; digital culture; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2013.057217

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2013 Vol.9 No.4, pp.519 - 534

Published online: 30 Jan 2014 *

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