autumn 2008
CS294H: Social Software
Thursdays (and some Tuesdays), 3:15pm - 5:05pm, Wallenberg 124
Many of the most successful web applications are social, from personalized homepages to social networks. You will learn the fundamental interface, systems, and algorithms concepts in designing social software. The case-based syllabus will cover insights from both research and industry. As a student, you will contribute to this burgeoning field through a quarter-long, team-based project. Students are required to enter the class with an initial project idea.
Students in this course are encouraged to attend CS547, the HCI seminar, on Fridays from 12:30 - 2:00pm.
Please join the Google Group right away!
Studio: Submit homework, view others' work, and see your grades at this link. Use your SUNet Username / Password to log in.
syllabus & readings
Tuesday | Thursday | |
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Week 1 |
September 25 Idea |
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Week 2 |
September 30 Inspirational Designs and Discovery Reading: Contextual Inquiry |
October 2 Storyboard Reading: Understanding Comics |
Week 3 |
October 7 Paper and Video Prototype Reading: Paper Prototyping |
October 9 HTML Mockups of all pages and Page Flow & User Testing I |
Week 4 |
October 14 Design Doc — High Level System Architecture Reading: Fix Time and Budget, Flex Scope and Half, Not Half-Assed |
October 16 No class, just office hours |
Week 5 |
October 23 Engineering Meeting |
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Week 6 |
October 30 Engineering Meeting |
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Week 7 |
November 6 Alpha Version Due |
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Week 8 |
November 13 Beta Version Due |
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Week 9 |
November 20 Beta-test results and Test Plan due; Launch! |
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November 27 Thanksgiving Holiday |
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Week 10 |
December 4 Testing Results Due |
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Finals Week | Monday, 12/8 3:30-6:30PM Final Presentations |
requirements & grading
Prerequisites:
- CS108 or equivalent programming experience
- Working knowledge of Java, PHP, or Ruby on Rails highly recommended
- CS147 recommended
Attendance and participation in class is mandatory.
Grading: Each assignment is graded out of a set amount of points (these can be seen on each assignment's page). These points, combined with class/studio participation (75 points), add up to a total of 1000 points.
late work & absence policy
No late assignments will be accepted, but you may submit them early.