text:
Q: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable -- using `np.fromregex` This question has many answers (see Python Math - TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable). My question is different, because I correctly expect np.genfromtxt(...) to return an array (i.e np.genfromtxt(...) is not an in place function).
I am trying to parse and store the following into a single dimensional array:
http://pastie.org/10860707#2-3
To do so, I tried:
pattern = re.compile(b'[\s,]')
theta = np.fromregex("RegLogTheta", regexp = pattern, dtype = float)

This is the traceback (how should it be formatted?):
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/Users/ahanagrawal/Documents/Java/MachL/Chap3/ExamScoreVisual2.py", line    36, in <module>
theta = np.fromregex("RegLogTheta", regexp = pattern, dtype = float)
File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.5/lib/python3.5/site-packages/numpy/lib/npyio.py", line 1240, in fromregex
newdtype = np.dtype(dtype[dtype.names[0]])
TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

If you would like to run this, please download the text file from: http://pastie.org/10860707#2-3 and run the code above.

A: The file has multiple lines, with comma separation, 3 numbers perline, except the last has only 2
In [182]: fname='../Downloads/pastie-10860707.txt'

In [183]: np.fromregex(fname,regexp=pattern,dtype=float)
...
np.fromregex(fname,regexp=pattern,dtype=float)

/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/numpy/lib/npyio.py in fromregex(file, regexp, dtype)
   1240             # Create the new array as a single data-type and then
   1241             #   re-interpret as a single-field structured array.
-> 1242             newdtype = np.dtype(dtype[dtype.names[0]])
   1243             output = np.array(seq, dtype=newdtype)
   1244             output.dtype = dtype

TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

Loaded with a simple 'br' read, the file looks like:
In [184]: txt
Out[184]: b'2.75386225e+00,1.80508078e+00,2.95729122e+00,\n-4.21413726e+00,  -3.38139076e+00,  -4.22751379e+00,\n ...      4.23010784e-01,  -1.14839331e+00,  -9.56098910e-01,\n        -1.15019836e+00,   1.13845303e-06'

That missing number on the last line will give genfromtxt problems.
Your choice of pattern is wrong.  It looks like a delimiter pattern.  But the pattern in fromregex docs produces groups:
regexp = r"(\\d+)\\s+(...)"

fromregex does
seq = regexp.findall(file.read())  # read whole file and group it
output = np.array(seq, dtype=dtype)  # make array from seq

If you want to use fromregex you need to come up with a pattern that produces a list of tuples that can be turned into an array directly.
================
Though looking again at the error messsage I see that the immediate problem is with the dtype.   dtype=float is not a valid dtype spec for this function.  It expects a compound dtype (structured).
The error is produced by this action, where float is your dtype parameter:
In [189]: np.dtype(float).names[0]
 ...
TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable

But it's trying to do this because the pattern has produced
In [194]: pattern.findall(txt)
Out[194]:
[b',',
 b',',
 b',',
 b'\n',
 b',',
 b' ',
 b' ',
 ....]

not the list of tuples that it expected.
==================
I can load the file with
In [213]: np.genfromtxt(txt.splitlines(),delimiter=',',usecols=[0,1])
Out[213]:
array([[  2.75386225e+00,   1.80508078e+00],
       [ -4.21413726e+00,  -3.38139076e+00],
       [  7.46991792e-01,  -1.08010066e+00],
        ...
       [  4.23010784e-01,  -1.14839331e+00],
       [ -1.15019836e+00,   1.13845303e-06]])

I'm using usecols to temporarily get around the problem with only 2 numbers on the last line.
If I remove the \n and split it on commas, I can parse the resulting text fields directly with np.array.
In [231]: txt1=txt.replace(b'\n',b'').split(b',')

In [232]: np.array(txt1,float)
Out[232]:
array([  2.75386225e+00,   1.80508078e+00,   2.95729122e+00,
        -4.21413726e+00,  -3.38139076e+00,  -4.22751379e+00,
          ...
         4.23010784e-01,  -1.14839331e+00,  -9.56098910e-01,
        -1.15019836e+00,   1.13845303e-06])

This pattern includes the decimal and scientific notation:
In [266]: pattern=re.compile(br"(\d+\.\d+e[\+\-]\d+)")

In [267]: np.fromregex(fname,regexp=pattern,dtype=np.dtype([('f0',float)]))['f0']
Out[267]:
array([  2.75386225e+00,   1.80508078e+00,   2.95729122e+00,
         4.21413726e+00,   3.38139076e+00,   4.22751379e+00,
      ...
         4.23010784e-01,   1.14839331e+00,   9.56098910e-01,
         1.15019836e+00,   1.13845303e-06])

For now I'm creating a structured array and extracting that field.  There may be a way around that.  But fromregex seems to favor the use of structured dtypes.


The Kingdom of Belgium, famous for its mussels. fries, beer and chocolate, has a very vibrant culture and idyllic scenery. Belgium boasts a number of castles and colourful medieval towns, a progressive art scene and a string of hip cultural hubs as well as moving war memorials. Belgium is a place of distinct contrasts which is most apparent in its capital city Brussels where modern architecture beautifully blends with historic sites. There's a lot to get excited about when thinking of visiting Belgium. With all the excitement and opportunity to explore, travel insurance will not be your first priority, but it's important to think about organizing your travel insurance policy so you can relax and enjoy your vacation.
If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting Belgium for up to 90 days, then you don't have to apply for a visa.
Your passport must be valid for minimum of 3 months beyond your date of departure from Belgium and your passport should also have at least 2 blank pages for stamping.
Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any required vaccinations or any epidemic breakouts occurring in Belgium. It's also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.
Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Belgium?
Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment at least four to six weeks before your trip.
Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in Belgium.
To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.
No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services whilst they're on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it's important to be prepared for when they do.
Belgium law requires you to carry a form of identification with you at all times.
In public places, it's illegal to wear clothing that covers or hides a person's face and is punishable with a fine or a 7-day detention.
Illegal drug use or trafficking is considered a serious offence.
Due to recent events in Belgium as well as in Europe, Belgium is a very likely target for another terrorist attack. As such the Belgian government has increased its internal security to protect both its citizens and visitors. Attacks could happen anywhere so it's important to stay vigilant and be aware of any possible safety concerns.
Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when traveling to popular tourist locations and large crowded public places.
Review the Crime and Safety Report for Belguim.
Serious crime is generally not much of a problem in Belgium, but like any popular tourist areas, pickpocketing and petty theft are common. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas like train or metro stations and popular tourist spots. It's always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.
Belgium has three official languages but Dutch is the most widely spoken of the three. English is also used and understood by the majority of the population, especially in popular tourist areas like Brussels.
Before your trip, make sure to exchange enough euros for your spending requirements. It's always a good idea to take some traveller checks with you too.
The standard voltage and frequency is 230 V and 50 Hz. If you don't have one already, you will need to buy a plug adapter for your appliances and devices.
You will also need to buy a voltage converter or transformer as the standard Belgian voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V). Its best to go for a converter which can also alter the frequency as the U.S. frequency rate is 10 Hz higher than in Belgium and so may be dangerous to use without a converter.
© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.


text:
Micah Libin
by Tracy Johnson November 1, 2012 January 25, 2019
Avenue Calgary's 2012 Top 40 Under 40.
Job Title: Chief Financial Officer, Greengate Power
Micah Libin travelled a winding road to his current job as the chief financial officer of Greengate Power.
Libin was raised in Calgary but left after high school for university. Over the next decade or so, Libin studied at Queen's in Ontario, at Hebrew University in Israel and at New York University. He clerked at both the Canadian and South African Supreme Courts, and he worked as a securities lawyer on Wall Street.
"My theory was that you come out of school with a degree," says Libin. "Along the way, you should make it the most valuable and interesting education."
Eventually, Calgary called Libin back home; his family has deep roots in the city and it seemed like the right place to use that varied education. He came back to work in law, made the switch to investment banking a few years later, got laid off during the financial meltdown in 2008 and then bounced back with his current job at Greengate, a wind-power company with grand ambitions. The company was so cash poor when he joined that he worked for shares, and it wasn't until he completed a multi-million-dollar financing deal that he was paid a salary.
Greengate has now raised close to $25 million through private placements – money that was used to develop two of the largest wind-power projects in Canada. The first was sold to Capital Power in Edmonton; the second is under construction. "We want to be Canada's largest owner and operator of renewable energy," says Libin. "We're off to a decent start, but we're not done."
Libin has developed a talent for raising money. Outside of his financing work at Greengate, he is also co-chair of Calgary's United Jewish Appeal. One of the city's most important charities, the UJA raises close to $3 million a year for social services agencies. "We don't take our good fortune for granted," says Libin. "And we remember that it's not all due to us. This is a wonderful community, and we're wonderful for many reasons, but partly because we do this."
Libin is an intense guy. He works hard, volunteers a ton and runs ultra-marathons (of course), but he wants to be clear his wife and two sons come first.
"I do all this stuff in order to get back home and spend time with them," he says.
Inside the 2018 Top 40 Under 40 Party
Hannah Kost November 9, 2018 February 2, 2019
2018 Top 40 Under 40 Judges
Jaelyn Molyneux November 1, 2018 January 31, 2019
Jennifer MacDonald
avenuecalgary October 30, 2017 February 5, 2019
Learn to Fish Clinics
ATB Folk Fest Fridays

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Chapter VI Web Site Quality and Usability in E-Commerce
VI Web Site Qualityand Usability in E Commerce
Theoretical Perspectives on User Acceptance of IS Web Site
Dimensions of IS Success Model Including ServQual and Trust
System Quality
Guidelines for Web Interface Design
Mei Cao
Arkansas State University, USA
Qingyu Zhang
Web sites are being widely deployed commercially; however, the factors that affect the customer's perception on the quality and acceptance of Web sites are unclear. Through a literature review on information systems success, ServQual, and trust, this chapter examines and integrates four sets of factors to capture the quality of e-commerce Web sites: system quality (functionality), information quality (content), service quality, and attractor. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model in comparison with the Theory of Reasoned Action and the theory of Human-Computer Interaction/Usability, a framework is developed relating the Web quality to customers' beliefs (perceived usefulness and ease of use of the site), attitudes (preferences for the site), and intentions (to revisit the site). A guideline for Web interface design is proposed for Web designers and managers.
Web sites are being widely deployed commercially (Liu & Arnett, 2000; Robbins & Stylianou, 2003). There is ample anecdotal evidence that suggests the Internet is a fruitful tool for commercial purposes (Huizingh, 2000). However, just starting doing business on the Internet does not necessarily guarantee competitive advantages. On the one hand, electronic commerce (e-commerce) companies are dependent upon people visiting their Web sites, purchasing their products, and more importantly, being a repeat customer (Smith & Merchant, 2001). On the other hand, customers have too many Web sites that they can use as alternatives. There are almost no barriers for them to switch to another site if the performance of a Web site is unacceptable (Bhatti et al., 2000). So, in order to communicate with the potential customers through the Internet effectively, a well-designed, quality Web site is needed.
However, the implicit assumptions about the quality and usability of a Web site and the factors that influence the customer's perception on the acceptance of a Web site are unclear (Lin & Lu, 2000; Dhyani et al., 2002). In their work, Pollard and Blyth (1999) are much aware that it is often difficult to define what gives a Web site something extra that keeps people coming back for more. As Hoffman and Novak (1995) note, little is known about how to develop commercial Web sites to maximize profit. Berthon et al. (1996) call for research to reveal the nature and effectiveness of e-commerce (Huizingh, 2000). So, it is necessary to assess the factors that an e-commerce Web site must have to attract potential customers (Smith & Merchant, 2001). The purpose of this chapter is to explore these factors in the context of B2C e-commerce.
Most studies have focused on either the basic content management of Web sites or a specific set of functions of Web sites. In analyzing the Web site content, researchers evaluate the quality (Bhatti et al., 2000; Huizingh, 2000) and the relevance (Perkowitz & Etzioni, 1999) of online information. In exploring Web site functions, there are studies on search engines (Thelwall, 2000), waiting time (Weinberg, 2000), response time (Lin & Lu, 2000), and interface (Slatin, 2001; Wen et al., 2001). Some studies look at the level of customer feedback (Pollard & Blyth, 1999; Light & Wakeman, 2001). Most existing empirical research on the success factors influencing Web site quality is exploratory in nature (Liu & Arnett, 2000; Simeon, 1999). While there should be many factors associated with e-commerce Web site success, little effort has been done to combine these factors (Liu & Arnett, 2000). To paint a full picture of e-commerce Web site quality, this chapter examines and integrates four sets of determining factors: system quality, information quality, service quality, and attractor.
Measures/metrics are the sine qua non of solid, scientific research (Straub et al., 2002). Measuring attributes of a quality Web site in precise terms can enhance our understanding and advance our thinking of the state of science. The goal to be achieved by this chapter is to determine a subset of the many variables that define a quality Web site. First, the literature on different theoretical perspectives on user acceptance of information systems (IS) and dimensions of IS success model (including ServQual and trust) is reviewed. Second, a conceptual framework is developed relating e-commerce Web site quality to customers' perceptions, followed by a discussion on four essential factors capturing the Web site quality. Third, the implications are discussed and a guideline is set for Web interface design.
In this section, different theoretical perspectives on user acceptance of IS/Web site are first reviewed. They are followed by reviewing literature on dimensions of IS success model including ServQual and trust that may quantify various quality attributes of Web sites.
Many researches address the issues of IT design and evaluation to enhance usability and acceptance and try to identify the determinants of IT use and acceptance (Davis et al., 1989). User acceptance is a critical factor to determine the success of a Web design project. Both practitioners and researchers have a strong interest in understanding how people accept e-commerce Web sites so that better methods can be employed to design and evaluate Web sites and predict customers' response. The acceptance theory seeks to extend the model of customer/user-centered design, which is advocated in usability approaches (Nielsen, 2000), from interface improvement to predictions of likely usage (Dillon & Morris, 1996). To enhance our understanding of the determining variables to explain the level of Web site acceptance, it is necessary to review different perspectives that touch on this issue: Theory of Reasoned Action, Technology Acceptance Model, and Human-Computer Interface/Usability Theory.
Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)
TRA defines the relationships among beliefs, attitudes, norms, intentions, and behavior (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). TRA assumes that human beings are basically rational and make systematic use of information available to them when making decisions. TRA also assumes that the behavior being studied is under total volitional control of the performer (Chang, 1998). However, the prediction of behavior from intention is problematic because a variety of factors in addition to one's intention determine whether the behavior is performed.
TRA is a general model and may provide a common frame of reference within which to integrate various lines of inquiry. A substantial body of empirical data in support of TRA has accumulated (Bang et al., 2000; Chang, 1998; Jackson et al., 1997). TRA has broad applicability that spans behaviors in many fields including using a computer. The theory has gone through rigorous testing that shows its robustness in predicting a person's intention and behavior under volitional control (Bagozzi, 1992; Davis et al., 1989).
However, TRA has some boundaries: (1) The behavior should be under volitional control; (2) Intent does not change prior to the performance of the behavior; (3) Intention measures should correspond to the behavioral criterion in terms of action, target, context, and time (Liker & Sindi, 1997). Free from these boundaries, TRA can be adapted to study e-commerce Web site design because most e-commerce Web site users are under volitional control and without influence from other factors such as supervisor's impact.
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
TAM of Davis (1989) is the most widely cited theory in the studies on user acceptance of technology. The goal of TAM is to predict the system acceptance and diagnose the design problems before users experience the system. TAM predicts that the user acceptance of a system is determined by two factors: (1) perceived usefulness and (2) perceived ease of use. Perceived usefulness is the degree to which a person believes that use of the system will enhance his or her performance. Perceived ease of use is the degree to which a person believes that use of the system will be free from efforts.
Since Davis's elucidation of TAM, numerous researchers have discovered that TAM yields consistently high-explained variance for why users use/accept systems. An adaptation of TRA, TAM is specifically tailored for modeling user acceptance of IS. Being parsimonious and theoretically justified, it provides a general justification for the determinants of computer acceptance and is capable of explaining user behavior across a range of end-user computing technologies. In contrast to TRA, in which the beliefs are considered idiosyncratic to a specific context, TAM's perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are meant to be fairly general determinants of user acceptance. Therefore, TAM is more applicable to studying the user acceptance of an e-commerce Web site than TRA because Web site design is one kind of IT project which is always carried out in a specific context. Studies on the acceptance of Web sites using TAM theory and its refinement/extension are accumulating (Eighmey & McCord, 1998; Liu & Arnett, 2000; Mathieson et al., 2001).
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Usability Engineering
HCI examines all aspects of user-interface design from the high-level concerns of organizational context and system requirements to the conceptual, semantic, syntactic, and lexical levels. HCI research concentrates heavily on the concept of usability. The usability of an application refers to the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction with which specific users who are performing specific tasks in specific environments can use the application. Two major characteristics of usability engineering are prototyping and redesign in seeking to maximize the usability throughout the whole product development process. Nielsen (2000) provides a large number of related usability attributes: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction.
HCI/Usability theory is the most applicable to the Web site interface design (Behbunan-Fich, 2001; Gary, 1999; Nielsen, 2000; Smith et al., 1997). The usability of a Web site is about ease to use and usefulness. For example, it answers the question — does the audience think the site is easy to use? From the perspective of usability theory, a Web site has to be developed as friendly as possible, or customers will go elsewhere. Today's Internet users are savvier than ever, and a Web site needs to impress them if the site wants to keep them around. What impresses customers is not fancy presentation but the functionality. Such questions should be asked when developing a Web site, for example: Can users find what they need quickly and easily? Is there a site map or an index? Do pages load quickly? Is the Web site easy to navigate?
IS Success
Many researchers attempt to identify IS success factors. Among them, the dimensions suggested by Delone and McLean (1992) receive the most attention. Based on Shannon and Weaver (1949) and Mason (1987), they postulate a multidimensional model of IS success. Shannon and Weaver (1949) define three communication levels: technical, semantic, and effectiveness (on the receiver). Mason (1978) re-labels it as production, product, and influence on recipient. By surveying 180 articles on IS success, Delone and McLean (1992) propose that existing measures be classified into six major dimensions: systems quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact.
The first four metrics of Delone and McLean's IS success model can be employed to evaluate the quality and usability of an e-commerce Web site. Systems quality means availability, response time, and usability. Information quality is completeness, relevance, and ease of understanding of information. Use means the number of site visits and the number of transactions executed. User satisfaction can be assessed as repeat purchases and repeat visits. The last two metrics refers to the impact of IS on employees and firms, which may not be useful to evaluate outside customers' perceptions on the Web site.
ServQual
The above discussed dimensions include only the system aspect of IS success but overlook the human interaction aspect (Li, 1997). This deficiency can be supplemented by the factor of service quality. Pitt et al. (1995) note that most IS effectiveness measures focus on the products rather than the services and IS effectiveness will be mismeasured if IS service quality is not included. Recently, most researchers agree that a service quality measure should be a part of IS success (Kettinger & Lee, 1995; Li, 1997; Delone & McLean, 2003).
Service quality is commonly defined as the extent to which a delivered service level matches customer expectations (Parasuraman et al., 1985). Parasuraman et al. (1985) identify ten dimensions of service quality, and these dimensions are then reduced to five dimensions (i.e., reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles), which are called the ServQual instrument (Parasuraman et al., 1988). The ServQual instrument assesses the gap between what is expected and what is delivered. Pitt et al. (1995) argue that ServQual is an appropriate instrument for measuring service quality. Van Dyke et al. (1997) question the application of ServQual to IS service quality. They argue that the instrument for service perception is better than that for the difference score of the perception-minus-expectation. They propose it is preferable to use a perceptions-only method.
The ServQual instrument has been tested in IS context (Pitt et al., 1995). The instrument uses dimensions of tangibles (e.g., up-to-date hardware and software), reliability (i.e., dependable), responsiveness (i.e., prompt service to users), assurance (i.e., knowledge to do the job well), and empathy (i.e., IS has users' best interest at heart). There are some overlaps in the conceptual domains of service and system quality. In the e-commerce context, service quality covers assurance, reliability, and empathy while system quality covers tangibles and responsiveness.
In the e-commerce context, the reliability dimension of ServQual can also be explained or replaced by the critical concept of trust. Trust is crucial in the transactional buyer-seller relationship of customers and e-vendors because of the risk and uncertainty in the online environment (Reichheld & Schefter, 2000). Trust is the expectation that e-vendors will not behave opportunistically by taking the advantage of the situation (Gefen et al., 2003). It is customers' beliefs that e-vendors will behave in a reliable/dependable, ethical, and socially appropriate manner (Hosmer, 1995; Zucker, 1986).
Trust is defined as the subjective probability that customers believe that an e-vendor's technology infrastructure is capable of supporting transactions (Pavlou, 2001). Pavlou (2001) posits that digital economy encourages the creation of institutional provisions to support transactions among entities that lack the traditional face-to-face context. There are many trust-building assurances provided by e-vendors, such as certification, https, guarantees, and policies. Such trust provides favorable impersonal conditions conducive to transactional success (Zucker, 1986). Gefen et al. (2003) believe that trust is critical because of the absence of proven guarantees that e-vendors will not engage in opportunistic behaviors such as unfair pricing, conveying inaccurate information, violations of privacy, and unauthorized use of credit card information.
Web site quality is important and widely studied in the e-commerce literature (Aladwani & Palvia, 2002; Koufaris, 2003). Liu and Arnett (2000) derive a framework from IS and marketing literature. They identify four factors that are critical to Web site success in e-commerce: information and service quality, system use, playfulness, and system design quality. Wan (2000) empirically categorizes the features of Web sites that can be evaluated from the customer's perspective. Barnes and Vidgen (2001) contend that WebQual should be used to evaluate a Web site from a customer's point of view. We think, from a customer's perspective, an attractive Web site can be addressed via four components: functionality, content, service, and attractor.
As shown in Figure 6-1, a framework is developed to relate the Web site quality (i.e., system quality, information quality, service quality, and attractor), to customers' perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and further to customers' preference and intention to reuse the site. The framework is built upon TAM, IS success model, ServQual, and trust concept (Delone & McLean, 1992; Parasuraman et al., 1985; Davis, 1989; Lin & Lu, 2000; Chen et al., 2002). In e-commerce Web sites, voluntary use is more common. Thus, the customer's perceptions of a Web site are considered by applying TAM (Davis, 1989). TAM indicates that perceived usefulness and ease of use will influence an individual's attitude and intention to use a Web site, and customers' beliefs (i.e., perceived usefulness and ease of use) are influenced by Web site quality (Davis, 1989; Eighmey & McCord, 1998; Liu & Arnett, 2000; Lin & Lu, 2000; Chen et al., 2002).
Figure 6-1: A framework for evaluating e-commerce Web site quality
There are many discussions on beliefs, attitudes, and intentions based on TAM (i.e., the dotted-line box in Figure 6-1). For further discussion, please see Davis (1989), Lederer et al. (2000), Chen et al. (2002), and Lin and Lu (2000). Due to the restriction on the chapter space, this chapter devotes only to the discussion on the dimensions that capture the Web site quality. Based on the previous literature review section on dimensions of IS success and ServQual, four sets of factors which capture the quality of e-commerce Web site are identified: system quality, information quality, service quality, and attractor. Web site quality adapts IS success model by adding service quality, consisting of trust and empathy, and one new dimension of attractor.
For e-commerce applications, service quality is an important dimension to supplement system and information quality. Based on ServQual, any good service needs attributes of reliability, assurance, empathy, and responsiveness. In the context of e-commerce Web site, the reliability and assurance of a Web site make it possible to perform the promised service dependably and accurately, and to inspire trust and confidence (Loiacono et al., 2002). The empathy and responsiveness of a Web site include providing prompt service and caring, individualized attention to customers. Therefore, two attributes of service quality (i.e., trust and empathy) need to be included in examining a Web site quality. Service quality of a Web site, as well as system quality (functionality) and information quality (content), determines the customers' perceived usefulness and ease of using the site.
A good Web site also has a human touch — attractor (Watson et al., 1998). Attractor is a moderating variable, which includes the appeal and playfulness of a Web site. When the content and graphics of a Web site are arranged in an appealing manner and playful features are embedded in the site, users will enjoy navigating around. The users are also willing to introduce this particular site to acquaintances. This will create a source of steady and loyal customers to revisit the site. Therefore, a Web site with overall appeal (e.g., appropriate background and layout) is more likely to keep repeat customers than a site without appealing organization. Smith and Merchant (2000) recognize an appealing Web site will attract more buyers, and this will in turn increase the revenues generated from Web-based sales.
System quality measures the functionality of a Web site: usability, availability, and response time (DeLone & McLean, 2003). Smith and Merchant (2000) find that online customers are very particular about having a Web site easy to read, as well as easy to navigate. A responsive Web site proves to be highly important to end-users (Robbins & Stylianou, 2003). Weinberg (2000) emphasizes that a page design should consider not only appearance but also loading time. Specifically the system quality of a Web site can be assessed by search facility, responsiveness, and multi-media capability.
Search facility reflects the extent to which a tool or structure actually helps a Web site user to find information as perceived by the user (Huizingh, 2000). One of the problems in Web site design, whereby Web site users lose track of the context and are unsure of how to proceed, is called the navigation problem (Levene, 2001). For example, participants in a study report that they are disconcerted in cases where they have to scroll to locate the selection and add an item to the shopping cart (Bhatti et al., 2000).
So, navigation tools should help users to maintain a mental map of where they are, and how various sections/pages are related to each other. Tools for navigation include: menus, directories, frames, buttons, site maps, subject trees, a search engine, image maps, and colors (Clyde, 2000). It is helpful to have a site map that Web site users can use to see the layout of the site and maneuver around it (Hudson et al., 2000). Some of the Web sites are large and this makes it difficult to find all the information on a specific subject. One way to mitigate this problem is to include a search engine on the site (Clyde, 2000).
Responsiveness is defined as the willingness to help online customers. It can be measured by the time taken before replying to a customer's inquiries (Watson et al., 1998). Advances in the Internet and computer technology leave little excuse for any delay in responding (Wan, 2000). Wan (2000) considers the issue of responsiveness can be seen in at least two ways: load time and search time. Search time mostly relies on the size of the database. Many pages are designed with being aware of the load time problems and have small pictorial illustrations. Amazon.com puts a sign of text-only on its homepage.
One of the e-commerce challenges on the Web is when users experience intolerably long waits for a Web site's page to load. When the loading time exceeds the time that a Web user is willing to wait, the Web user will either redirect the Web-browser to another Web site or quit using the Web (Weinberg, 2000). Researchers have studied the significance of waiting time in service evaluations (Roslow et al., 1992). Schleifer and Amick (1989) report that system response time is inversely related to computer user satisfaction. Weinberg (2000) concludes, in terms of waiting time on the Internet, that it is best if the homepage loads relatively fast, and that efforts toward achieving this result will be rewarded.
Multi-Media Capability
Multi-media capability refers to the non-verbal cues or features about the product and services that enhance the customer's feeling of preference for a Web site. Graphics, video clips, audio clips, and animation used to demonstrate products are examples of these features. These features can fulfill individual information needs, engender trust, and facilitate better learning experience (Chen, 2001). Non-text elements also enhance communication by helping visitors find or interpret the information presented. On the other hand, more multi-media enabled content takes more time to download. Designers must find a balance between an attractive design and providing information; this is not always easy (Huizingh, 2000).
It is probably not a good idea to go overboard with elaborate graphics, which add no more information. People may use the same site frequently. Graphics that may appear impressive when they are first seen and quickly become very tiresome when they have been viewed many times before (Hudson et al., 2000).
Information quality captures the e-commerce content issues. "Content is king" is a well-known slogan (Huizingh, 2000). Providing information is the basic goal of a Web site (Bhatti et al., 2000). Deciding what content to place on a Web site is extremely important.
The reasoning stands that the target audience a company wants to attract drives the site content (Day, 1997; Iyer, 2001). Lin and Lu (2000) address the issue of how customers' acceptance is affected by the features and accurate information. Huizingh (2000) distinguishes content from design and operationalizes both concepts by using objective and subjective measures to capture features as well as perceptions. Perkowitz and Etzioni (1999) explore the importance of updated information with the notion of adaptive Web sites. Content is represented by two constructs: information accuracy and relevance.
Information Accuracy
The most fundamental capability of a Web site is the presentation of information about products, services, people, events or ideas. By providing the inappropriate information on the site, companies can endanger their precious business images. It is, thus, imperative for companies to extend their attentions to the possible factors to enhance the information quality (Lin & Lu, 2000). The information on the Web site should be accurate, informative, and updated. The extent to which the information is accurate determines, among others, whether the promise is fulfilled. In Ducoffe's (1996) terminology, it is the informativeness that matters. Updated information means both updating existing content and adding new content to the site. For example, amazon.com states, in its side bar, that its list of 100 hot books is updated hourly.
Information Relevance
Information relevance refers to the extent to which the information on the Web site is related to the information needs of the customer. It is unlikely that a company wants to provide the same information to different groups of customers (Huizingh, 2000). Different parts of the Web site should be designed to meet the needs of different groups of customers. The potential customers of the Web site should be identified and their needs investigated (Clyde, 2000). Thus the needs of customers, as well as the subject coverage, have guided the development of different sections of the Web site. For example, the content of an automaker's Web site should include information related to its branches in different regions or countries and different models and features. In addition, a Web site represents an ongoing commitment. It has to be monitored and tended carefully, in the light of new developments in the company. If this does not happen, the site will become less and less relevant to the customers' needs (Clyde, 2000).
Service quality is an important dimension of IS success in the e-commerce environment where customer service is crucial (DeLone & McLean, 2003). Bhatti et al. (2000) present experiments designed to estimate customers' tolerance of quality of service in the context of e-commerce. Service quality measures the overall support delivered by the Web site. It includes trust and empathy. That is, the Web site should be secure and personalized.
Trust refers to the extent to which customers believe the Web site is legal, ethical, and credible and is able to protect their privacy (Wan, 2000). According to a survey conducted by the European Electronic Messaging Association, more than 79% of respondents said that reliability is the top concern of e-commerce customers (Shankar, 1996). Once users perceive that reliability has been compromised, no purchase will be made. It is therefore crucial for systems designers to understand the effect of cumulative frustration, especially as it is typically in the later stages of interaction that users are likely to commit to a purchase (Bhatti et al., 2000).
Empathy refers to the extent to which a Web site provides caring, individualized information and attention to customers. Empathy is the presence of response mechanisms for improving the communication quality of Web sites. The nature of this dimension purports that two-way communication must exist. Features included in this dimension are email, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and mailing lists (Chen, 2001).
The concept of empathy involves the exchange of individualized messages regardless of distance or time. The Internet is well suited in this regard where users can virtually visit any Web site at any time and from any place. E-commerce is an interactive function between customers and business enterprises (Bakos, 1991). Web site users must be able to specify their needs; the site should produce the desired response (Light & Wakeman, 2001). For example, the supplier and customer may need to interact several times before all details of the order are agreed (Huizingh, 2000).
Attractor consists of the issues of whether Web pages are fun to read and subjectively pleasing. Watson et al. (1998) coin the concept of "attractors." They use the metaphors to label/group sites into different potential attractors (e.g., entertainment park, archive, and club). Chen (2001) examines the playfulness and how it affects the quality of Web site design. His finding suggests that playfulness is an influential factor to attract customers.
Watson et al. (1998) argue the overall appeal is a key component of Web site quality. No matter how well the content is or how interactive, reliable, and easy to search the Web site is, if users do not find the site appealing, they are not going to spend much time there (Smith & Merchant, 2001).
Playfulness includes the devices that attract the attention of Web site users with enjoyable constructs. Online games, software downloads, and Q&A are examples of these devices (Chen, 2001). Embedding playful features within the Web site not only differentiates a site from others, but also enhances the user's perceived level of satisfaction (Eighmey, 1997). Watson et al. (1998) also suggests that online users seek gratification in escape, entertainment, and interaction. This suggests that there is a need for Web designers to cultivate pleasure in site design by motivating customers to participate, promoting customer excitement and concentration, and including charming features to attract customers and to help them enjoy the visit (Liu & Arnett, 2000). This will lead to increased customer activities (Schmidt, 1996).
This chapter reviews theories of Web interface designs. Through examining TRA, TAM, and HCI/Usability, their strengths and limitations are identified. For the Web site interface design, TAM and HCI/Usability are two most applicable theories. HCI shares the goal of achieving high usability for users. Usability includes ease of use plus usefulness, which is articulated by TAM theory. TAM yields consistently high-explained variance for why users use/accept systems.
This chapter also identifies and pools together four sets of factors influencing Web site quality, which in turn affects customers' perceptions, preferences, and intensions. These concepts and factors can be useful for researchers to study relationships between Web site quality and its related constructs. These factors and measures also have significant meaning for e-commerce Web site designers and managers. An attractive e-commerce Web site starts with quality information. The information provided in the Web site has to be accurate, informative, updated, and relevant to customers' needs.
A successful Web site not only contains sufficient and quality information, but also is user friendly. A Web site should have a search facility which helps users to maintain a mental map of the site and responds to the users' search quickly. Furthermore, it is necessary not only to protect the purchasers ethically and legally (i.e., trust), but also to provide caring and individualized information to customers (i.e., empathy). Besides, a superior e-commerce Web site also has an emotional dimension — attractor, which brings a human touch to the site. It is a significant factor to attract visitors to revisit the site.
In designing an e-commerce Web site, a designer should consider not only the software components, but also the capability of hardware. A Web user is likely to redirect the Web browser to another Web site if the page that he/she tries to access is not fully loaded within a tolerable length of time. For this reason, Clyde (2000) suggests online pages should be kept simple with limited use of graphics. This conflicts with the multi-media information requirements, and also limits the advancement of true two-way communications (Banks, 1997). Therefore, besides using simple graphics, the speed of the hardware supporting the Web site also needs to be considered.
In designing an e-commerce Web site, a more effective approach, which has been used in a limited way on the Web, is to see from the customers' perceptions (Katz et al., 1991; Weinberg, 2000). The physical design elements (i.e., type of information, links, layout, appearance, etc.) are important but insufficient; it is the customers' perception of a Web site that makes differences. For example, if a Web user perceives the loading time of a Web site to be intolerable, the user will direct the Web browser elsewhere and potentially, will not purchase any of the products. However, in circumstances where the feedback is provided during the loading, the tolerance of delay is significantly higher (e.g., an icon that indicates the proportion of information that has been loaded appears near the bottom of a Web browser).
Since trading partner trust or interpersonal trust is difficult to create for online B2C customers, the Web designer/managers should actively create an environment to enhance trust from a technological perspective. E-commerce vendors should adhere to technical standards, security procedures, and protection mechanisms that are conducive to supporting transactions. Trust can be enhanced by such mechanisms as digital signatures, encryptions, authorizations, and best business practices (Pavlou, 2001). Such mechanisms can facilitate customers' confident expectations toward a favorable outcome of the transactions in regards to the uncertainty of the technology infrastructure and control mechanisms.
In summary, for Web site developers and managers, the following guidelines are suggested: (1) Evaluate existing similar sites to gain insights into the behavior of a system and its users; (2) Compare design alternatives to determine the most efficient interface layout and the best representation; (3) Use the factors/measures developed in this chapter so that the usability goals can be specified quantitatively and competing alternatives can be compared; and (4) Check for conformance to interface style standards with proper design techniques.
With increased emphasis on conducting business via the Internet, an attractive Web site is critical to the success of e-commerce. A framework is proposed in this chapter to relate the Web quality to customers' perceptions and preferences. This chapter contributes to the existing literature by pooling together four sets of factors capturing e-commerce Web site quality: system quality, information quality, service quality, and attractor. The factors are viewed from a customer's perspective rather than a designer's view. For practitioners, the factors identified in this chapter can be used to evaluate the Web site quality. Practical guidelines for Web site design are suggested. The factors/measures and guidelines should help e-commerce companies to attract more repeat customers and thus achieve e-commerce success.
Aladwani, A., & Palvia, P. (2002). Developing and validating an instrument for measuring user-perceived web quality. Information & Management, 39(6), 467-476.
Bagozzi, R.P. (1992). The self-regulation of attitudes, intentions, and behavior. Social Psychology Quarterly, 55(2), 178-204.
Bakos, J.Y. (1991). A strategic analysis of electronic marketplaces. MIS Quarterly, 15(3), 295-310.
Bang, H., Elinger, A., Hadjimarcou, J., & Traichal, P. (2000). Consumer concern, knowledge, belief, and attitude toward renewable energy: An application of the reasoned action theory. Psychology & Marketing, 17(6), 449-468.
Banks, D. (1997, March 20). What clicks? Wall Street Journal, 229(55), R1–R4.
Barnes, S., & Vidgen, R. (2001). An evaluation of cyber-bookshops: The WebQual method. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 6(1), 11-30.
Behbunan-Fich, R. (2001). Using protocol analysis to evaluate the usability of a commercial website. Information & Management, 39(2), 151-163.
Berthon, P., Pitt, L.F., & Watson, R.T. (1996). The World Wide Web as an advertising medium. Journal of Advertising Research, 36(1), 43-54.
Bhatti, N., Bouch, A., & Kuchinsky, A. (2000). Integrating user-perceived quality into Web server design. Computer Networks, 33(1-6), 1-16.
Chang, M. (1998). Predicting unethical behavior: A comparison of the theory of reasoned action on the theory of planned Behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 17(16), 1825-1834.
Chen, K. (2001). The impacts of cyber-interactivity on business Web sites quality. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Chen, L., Gillenson, M., & Sherrell, D. (2002). Enticing online consumers: An extended technology acceptance perspective. Information & Management, 39(8), 705-719.
Clyde, A.L. (2000). Library and the Web: A strategic planning approach to Web site management. The Electronic Library, 18(2), 97-108.
Davis, F.D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13 (3), 319-339.
Davis, F.D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1989). User acceptance of computer technology: A comparison of two theoretical models. Management Science, 35(8), 982-1003.
Day, A. (1997). A model for monitoring Web site effectiveness. Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 7(2), 109-15.
Delone, W., & McLean, E. (1992). Information systems success: The quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research, 3(1), 60-95.
Delone, W., & McLean, E. (2003). The Delone and McLean model of information systems success: A ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(4), 9-30.
Dhyani, D., Ng, W., & Bhowmick, S. (2002). A survey of Web metrics. ACM Computing Surveys, 34(4), 469-503.
Dillon, A., & Morris, M.G. (1996). User acceptance of information technology: Theories and models. In M. E. Williams, (Ed.), Annual review of information science and technology. NJ: Information Today Inc.
Ducoffe, R.H. (1996). Advertising value and advertising on the Web. Journal of Advertising Research, 36(5), 21-35.
Eighmey, J. (1997). Profiling user responses to commercial Web sites. Journal of Advertising Research, 37(3), 59-66.
Eighmey, J., & McCord, L. (1998). Adding value in the information age: Uses and gratifications of sites on the World Wide Web. Journal of Business Research, 41(3), 187–194.
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Gary, M. (1999). The human-computer interface and information literacy: Some basics and beyond. Information Technology and Libraries, 18(1), 3-21.
Gefen, D., Karahanna, E., & Straub, D. (2003). Trust and TAM in online shopping: An integrated model. MIS Quarterly, 27(1), 51-90.
Hoffman, D.L., & Novak, T. P. (1995). Marketing in hypermedia computer – mediated environments: Conceptual foundations. Revised July 11. Retrieved from: www.2000.ogsm.vanderbilt.edu/cmepaper.revision.july11.1995/cmepaper.html
Hosmer, L. (1995). Trust: The connecting link between organizational theory and philosophical ethics. Academy of Management Review, 20(2), 379-403.
Hudson, R., Keasey, K., & Littler, K. (2000). Share dealing on the Web: A comprehensive review of design specifications across the globe. International Journal of Information Management, 20(1), 3-16.
Huizingh, E.K.R.E. (2000). The content and design of Web sites: An empirical study. Information & Management, 37(3), 123-134.
Iyer, S.L. (2001). Commercial Web site design and maintenance issues: An overview. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Jackson, C., Chow, S., & Leitch, R. (1997). Toward an understanding of the behavioral intention to use an information system. Decision Sciences, 28(2), 357-389.
Katz, K.L., Larson, B.M., & Larson, R.C. (1991). Prescription for the waiting-in-line blues: Entertain, enlighten, and engage. Sloan Management Review, 32 (2), 44–53.
Kettinger, W., & Lee, C. (1995). Perceived service quality and user satisfaction with the information services function. Decision Sciences, 25(5/6), 737-765.
Koufaris, M. (2002). Applying the technology acceptance model and flow theory to online consumer behavior. Information Systems Research, 13(2), 205-223.
Lederer, A., Maupin, D., Sena, M., & Zhuang, Y. (2000). The technology model and World Wide Web. Decision Support Systems, 29, 269-282.
Levene, M. (2001). Web dynamics. Focus Review, 2(2), 60-67.
Li, E. (1997). Perceived importance of information system success factors: A meta analysis of group differences. Information & Management, 32(1), 15-28.
Light, A., & Wakeman, I. (2001). Beyond the interface: Users' perceptions of interaction and audience on websites. Interacting with Computers, 13(3), 325–351.
Liker, J., & Sindi, A. (1997). User acceptance of expert systems: A test of the theory of reasoned action. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 14(2), 147-173.
Lin, C.J., & Lu, H. (2000). Towards an understanding of the behavioral intention to use a Web site. International Journal of Information Management, 20(3), 197-208.
Liu, C., & Arnett, P. K. (2000). Exploring the factors associated with Web site success in the context of electronic commerce. Information & Management, 38(1), 23-33.
Loiacono, E., Watson, R., & Goodhue, D. (2002). WebQual: A measure of Web site quality. Working Paper at University of Georgia.
Mason, R. (1978). Measuring information output: A communication systems approach. Information & Management, 1(5), 219-234.
Mathieson, K., Peacock, E., & Chin, W. (2001). Extending the technology acceptance model: The influence of perceived user resources. Database for Advances in Information Systems, 32(3), 86-112.
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web usability: The practice of simplicity. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders.
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V., & Berry, L. (1985). A conceptual model of service quality and its implications for future research. Journal of Marketing, 49(4), 41-50.
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V.A., & Berry, L.L. (1988). SERVQUAL: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality. Journal of Retailing, 64(1), 12-40.
Pavlou, P. (2001). Technology trust in B2B electronic commerce: Conceptual foundations. In K. Kangas (Ed.), Business strategies for information technology management. CA: Idea Group Publishing.
Perkowitz, M., & Etzioni, O. (1999). Towards adaptive Web sites: Conceptual framework and case study. Computer Networks, 31(11-16), 1245–1258.
Pitt, L., Watson, R., & Kavan, C. (1995). Service quality: A measure of information systems effectiveness. MIS Quarterly, 19(2), 173-187.
Pollard, K., & Blyth, R. (1999, January). User-centered design of Web sites and the redesign of line one. BT Technology Journal, 17(1), 69-75.
Reichheld, F., & Schefter, P. (2000). E-loyalty: Your secret weapon on the Web. Harvard Business Review, 78(4), 105-113.
Robbins, S., & Stylianou, A. (2003). Global corporate Web sites: An empirical investigation of content and design. Information & Management, 40(3), 205-212.
Roslow, S., Nicholls, J.A.F., & Tsalikis, J. (1992). Time and quality: Twin keys to customer service satisfaction. Journal of Applied Business Research, 8 (2), 80–86.
Schleifer, L.M., & Amick, B.C. (1989). System response time and method of pay: Stress effects in computer-based tasks. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 1(1), 23–39.
Schmidt, J.B. (1996). A proposed model of external customer information search. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 24(3), 245-256.
Shankar, B. (1996). Electronic commerce will be a big business. Telecommunications, 30 (7), 24.
Shannon, C., & Weaver, W. (1949). The mathematical theory of communication. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.
Simeon, R. (1999). Evaluating domestic and international Web site strategies. Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 9(4), 297-308.
Slatin, M.J. (2001). The art of ALT: Toward a more accessible Web. Computers and Composition, 18(1), 73–81.
Smith, B.A, & Merchant, E.J. (2001). Designing an attractive Web site: Variables of importance. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Smith, P., Newman, I., & Parks, L. (1997). Virtual hierarchies and virtual networks: Some Lessons from hypermedia usability research applied to the World Wide Web. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 47(1), 67-95.
Straub, D., Hoffman, D., Weber, B., & Steinfield, C. (2002). Toward new metrics for netenhanced organizations. Information Systems Research, 13(3), 227-238.
Thelwall, M. (2000). Commercial Web sites: Lost in cyberspace? Internet Research: Electronic Networking Applications and Policy, 10(2), 150-159.
Van Dyke, T., Kappelman, L., & Prybutok, V. (1997). Measuring information systems service quality: Concerns on the use of the SERVQUAL questionnaire. MIS Quarterly, 21(2), 195-208.
Wan, A.H. (2000). Opportunities to enhance a commercial Website. Information & Management, 38(1), 15-21.
Watson, R.T., Akselsen, S., & Pitt, L.F. (1998). Attractors: Building mountains in the flat landscape of the World Wide Web. California Management Review, 40(2), 36-56.
Weinberg, D.B. (2000). Don't keep your Internet customers waiting too long at the (virtual) front door. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 14(1), 30-39.
Wen, H.J., Chen, H., & Hwang, H. (2001). E-commerce Web site design: Strategies and models. Information Management & Computer Security, 9(1), 5-12.
Zucker, L. (1986). Structure and macro-level impacts of electronic commerce: From technological infrastructure to electronic marketplaces. In K. Kendall (Ed.), Emerging information technologies. CA: Sage Publications.
Section I - Consumer Behavior in Web-Based Commerce
Chapter I e-Search: A Conceptual Framework of Online Consumer Behavior
Chapter II Information Search on the Internet: A Causal Model
Chapter III Two Models of Online Patronage: Why Do Consumers Shop on the Internet?
Chapter IV How Consumers Think About Interactive Aspects of Web Advertising
Chapter V Consumer Complaint Behavior in the Online Environment
Section II - Web Site Usability and Interface Design
Chapter VII Objective and Perceived Complexity and Their Impacts on Internet Communication
Chapter VIII Personalization Systems and Their Deployment as Web Site Interface Design Decisions
Chapter IX Extrinsic Plus Intrinsic Human Factors Influencing the Web Usage
Section III - Systems Design for Electronic Commerce
Chapter X Converting Browsers to Buyers: Key Considerations in Designing Business-to-Consumer Web Sites
Chapter XI User Satisfaction with Web Portals: An Empirical Study
Chapter XII Web Design and E-Commerce
Chapter XIII Shopping Agent Web Sites: A Comparative Shopping Environment
Chapter XIV Product Catalog and Shopping Cart Effective Design
Section IV - Customer Trust and Loyalty Online
Chapter XV Customer Trust in Online Commerce
Chapter XVI Turning Web Surfers into Loyal Customers: Cognitive Lock-In Through Interface Design and Web Site Usability
Chapter XVII Internet Markets and E-Loyalty
Section V - Social and Legal Influences on Web Marketing and Online Consumers
Chapter XVIII Web Systems Design, Litigation, and Online Consumer Behavior
Web Systems Design and Online Consumer Behavior
Beginners Guide to DarkBASIC Game Programming (Premier Press Game Development)
Looping Commands
Programming the Keyboard, Mouse, and Joystick
Loading and Saving Information Using Files
Fundamentals of 3D Graphics Programming
Multiplayer Programming The Crazy Carnage Game
Strategies for Information Technology Governance
Structures, Processes and Relational Mechanisms for IT Governance
An Emerging Strategy for E-Business IT Governance
A View on Knowledge Management: Utilizing a Balanced Scorecard Methodology for Analyzing Knowledge Metrics
Managing IT Functions
Governing Information Technology Through COBIT
Metrics and Models in Software Quality Engineering (2nd Edition)
Examples of Metrics Programs
Defect Removal Effectiveness and Process Maturity Level
The Rayleigh Model Framework
Conducting In-Process Quality Assessments
Software Quality Engineering Modeling
Image Processing with LabVIEW and IMAQ Vision
Line-Scan Cameras
Frequency Filtering
Shape Matching
Image Focus Quality
GO! with Microsoft Office 2003 Brief (2nd Edition)
Objective 4. Construct a Formula and Use the Sum Function
Objective 11. Perform What-If Analysis
Concepts Assessments
What is Lean Six Sigma
Key #2: Improve Your Processes
Key #4: Base Decisions on Data and Facts
Beyond the Basics: The Five Laws of Lean Six Sigma
When Companies Start Using Lean Six Sigma
Making Improvements That Last: An Illustrated Guide to DMAIC and the Lean Six Sigma Toolkit


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Egypt's new ambassador to Israel took up his post on Wednesday, assuring the Jewish state of Cairo's continued commitment to a 1979 peace treaty.
Egypt's new president, Mohamed Mursi, hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, and his ascent to power in an election after Hosni Mubarak's ouster in a popular uprising in 2011 has raised concern in Israel about the future of the peace pact.
Stepped-up Islamist militant activity against Egyptians and Israelis along the Sinai frontier has also worried Israel, which has carefully monitored Egyptian military deployment against the gunmen for any breaches of troop and equipment limitations set out in the peace accord.
The Mursi administration has assured Israel that the peace treaty signed by President Anwar Sadat - who was later assassinated by Islamist gunmen - is safe. But Mursi has also kept the Israeli government at arm's length, and avoids referring to Israel by name in public remarks.
In a ceremony at Peres's official residence in Jerusalem, a new Jordanian ambassador formally took up his post on Wednesday, filling a diplomatic slot that had been empty for the past two years, in apparent displeasure over the collapse of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The new envoy, Walid Khalid Abdullah Obeidat, is a lawyer who had headed the legal department at the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.
A Jordanian official said it was decided to dispatch Obeidat to Tel Aviv after Egypt announced its new envoy.
Jordan signed a peace accord with Israel in 1994 and has long maintained close security cooperation with the Jewish state, but has criticized Israeli treatment of Palestinians.
The peace agreement with Israel is largely unpopular in Jordan, where most of the seven million citizens are of Palestinian origin and have close family ties with their kin on the other side of the Jordan River.


text:
Morning Fizz
Morning Fizz: "Instead of Focusing on Plan B, Let's Focus on Making Plan A Work."
Caffeinated News & Gossip featuring tuition, buses, divisions, and polls.
By Morning Fizz September 9, 2014
1. Here's a follow-up to yesterday's Fizz item on higher education funding which featured Republican state Sen. Andy Hill (R-45, Kirkland), the senate budget leader, giving his side credit for freezing tuition rates while his counterpart in the state house, the Democrats' finance committee chair Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-36, Queen Anne), pointed out that the only reason the legislature was able to freeze college tuition rates was because the Republicans finally got on board with the Democrats' proposal to close a telecom industry tax break worth $109 million. The legislature went in to two special sessions before the GOP would agree to close the telecom tax break which the house closed during the regular session.
Tuition more than doubled.
However, Republican senate staff pointed Fizz to a senate ways & means committee report that shows college tuition going up and up and up during the last ten years that the Democrats controlled the legislature and then, hmmmm, freezing for the first time right after the GOP took control. Tuition more than doubled, as the numbers show, between the 2002-03 academic year and then suddenly halts in 2013-14 after the GOP took over.
The Republicans also point out that the house supplemental budget last year removed the freeze.
2. Speaking of the state senate GOP, Fizz hears that they're considering taking the $290 million the state has budgeted for taking down the viaduct and shifting it over to the contingency fund to cover tunnel overruns.
We asked new Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly about the idea—what the hell's the city going to do if the state doesn't pay to take down the creaky viaduct?—and he answered the (trick) question with finely tuned political spider senses, making it clear that it wasn't an either/or situation.
When it comes to the viaduct coming down, he said, "that's a state project."
He stuck to the city's responsibilities, saying to "support the sate" the city needed to "keep focused on what the end goal is ... having a completed Alaska Way project with a completed seawall and a completed surface road. And the city is working on getting the waterfront designed."
Fizz had the news last week, though, that the planning for a major component of the city's plan to fund the waterfront makeover, $250 million for a Local Improvement District, had been "suspended."
"I would talk to Jared [Smith] about that," SDOT Director Kubly told us. (Smith, the director of Mayor Ed Murray's Office of the Waterfront, which is listed on SDOT's major projects page, is the one who told us the $250 million was in question.)
When we pressed Kubly about SDOT's ultimate responsibility for the waterfront project, Kubly said: "the Office of the Waterfront is the Office of the Waterfront, right. So, Jared is the Office of the Waterfront. SDOT provides support to that, but Jared's the guy to talk to about all things waterfront related."
As for the tunnel itself. Did Kubly have a Plan B in place? "Instead of focusing on a Plan B," Kubly told Fizz, "let's focus on making Plan A work." And how do we do that? "Everything we do is about supporting the state in getting their project done."
3. Kubly did tell us about a new SDOT division that's coming on line to help do things like make sure King County doesn't take advantage of Seattle's disproportionate support for Metro (if we pass Prop. 1 in November, we'll be preventing 280,000 hours of the planned 550,000 hours of the countywide cuts).
"We're creating a transit division. We're hiring a transit division director."
He told us: "We're creating a transit division. We're hiring a transit division director that will take the various transit functions that SDOT does which is building bus improvements—new bus pads, bus bulb outs, priority transit ... and streetcar projects. But now we're going to get in the business of buying transit service. The mayor has directed us to set up a transit division within SDOT so that we can better integrate the work we're doing internally, but ... also make sure that we're having a voice at the table when it comes to making transit policy in terms of where service is provided and what type of service is provided."
A sign of the future that SDOT is becoming a transit agency rather than a roads agency? Stay tuned. We'll have more from Kubly on SDOT's supposed "War on Cars."
4. Nearly 450 readers voted on our preschool poll pitting—as the city wanted (ironically?)—the city's own funded measure to pay for preschool slots against a separate unfunded union measure mandating higher teacher pay and training guidelines.
We say ironically because our PubliPola found that the union measure—which the unions hoped would not be considered as an either/or against the city measure in November, but on its own—won decisively: 50.8 percent to 36.78 percent.
Those numbers came in even after the union (the measure is backed by SEIU 925 and the American Federation of Teachers) complained that our poll was biased in favor of the city's version.
As we noted yesterday:
Clarification: Saying that Prop. 1 A "codif[ies] the right to affordable childcare into city law" was imprecise and potentially misleading, as Heather Weiner, spokesperson for Yes for Early Success (the campaign supporting the union measure), pointed out to us on Monday. Whether or not Prop. 1 A would create such a right is a subject of dispute; here's the actual language from the measure:
It shall be the policy of the City of Seattle that early childhood education should be affordable and that no family should have to pay more than ten percent (10%) of gross family income on early education and child care. This policy is intended to increase affordability of child care in conformance with federal and expert recommendations on affordability.
The City shall, within twelve months of the effective date of this Ordinance, adopt goals, timelines, and milestones for implementing this affordability standard. In adopting these standards, the City shall consult with stakeholders, who at a minimum must include parents, communities of color, child advocates, low income advocates, and the provider organization.
Later on in the measure:
The requirements contained in this act constitute ministerial, mandatory, and nondiscretionary duties, the performance of which can be judicially compelled in an action brought by any party with standing. Should a person be required to bring suit to enforce this ordinance, and the City is found to be in violation, the City shall be responsible for reimbursement of the costs of such enforcement action, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
Morning Fizz, Tunnel, SDOT, Higher Education, Scott Kubly, Preschool
Which Seattle Bridge Will Close Next?
Jenny Durkan on Those Missing Texts, CHOP, and Covid
The Defund Debate Finally Took Center Stage in Seattle's Mayoral Race
2021 Mayoral Race
What M. Lorena González and Bruce Harrell Said in First TV Debate


Since I was a little boy I have been fascinated with fishes and their habitats. Ever since, my main field of contact with them has been through the wonderful waterways of Mexico, and my wish has been to know all the fishes that inhabit this country. Studying Mexican fishes has turned out to be a long but very rewarding enterprise, one that requires a life time to be accomplished fully, even with the knowledge we have of them today.
Mexico hosts a combination of southern and northern hemisphere species lineages, as well as marine visitors to its freshwater waterways from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. To this already rich assemblage of species we have to add those that have evolved in the highly varied ecosystems of the country, where even one family is endemic. Many fish genera are endemic to the freshwaters of Mexico. Robert Rush Miller, in his 'Freshwater Fishes of Mexico', lists 511 continental fish species classified in 47 families — at least one more family, Lacantunidae, has recently been added. The wealth of the Mexican ichthyofauna is immense.
One of the features of the richness of Mexican ichthyofauna is its variability. Miller (2005) recognizes seven different ichthyological provinces, each one hosting a different assemblage of species that are independent in their evolution from each other. The World Wildlife Fund goes even further and recognizes 26 different freshwater ecoregions in the country. The Comisión Nacional del Agua catalogs 404 separate hydrological basins.
In recent years, my photography and exploration trips through Mexico have often been, unfortunately, a sad, depressing venture. Every day more habitats are lost for a variety of reasons. The wealth of the Mexican fish fauna is suffering and some parts are already lost. The degradation of Mexican aquatic habitats has increased significantly, and many species are at the very verge of extinction, while a considerable number is extinct already, and with them a significant knowledge and enjoyment lost for mankind. The causes of the decline are many; from the introduction of exotic species of apparent commercial value, made with the misguided force of the government and consent of local people, to water pollution, alteration of waterways, overexploitation of water resources, and, more recently, to the introduction of a new breed of exotic species with origins in the aquarium keeping hobby. Regularly, the easier and less effective action taken by the government and local human populations has been to restrict fishing, which does nothing to prevent the decline.
After working fifteen years on the Cichlid Room Companion site, I thought it was probably not a good idea to open yet another site devoted to dissemination of information. As people that have worked on the development, administration, or edition of a web site know well, this is a very hard work and in most cases with little (if any) reward. Two years ago, after some depressing explorations, I decided I had to leave reason behind and go ahead and use the resources I have available and create this site. After all, if you don't know something how can you love it and defend it? Fishes are regularly undervalued, and better knowledge of them should certainly help in slowing down the deleterious effects they suffer.
The Freshwater Fishes of Mexico site has been created in English as a main language (although the site is multilingual in nature) and references to the Mexican flag have been deliberately avoided because I believe Mexican fishes are a resource and a responsibility not only of the inhabitants of Mexico, but of those of the entire world.
I hope that this website improves the awareness, knowledge, and, ultimately, the well being of Mexican freshwater fishes. I also hope that the powerful software employed by this site helps to increase and improve the current knowledge of Mexican fishes. To achieve this end anybody with an interest in Mexico's fishes is invited to participate.
Artigas Azas, Juan Miguel. (December 08, 2012). "Introduction to Freshwater Fishes of Mexico". Freshwater Fishes of Mexico. Retrieved on April 26, 2019, from: https://www.mexfish.info/site_doc.php?id=223.


text:
package org.kaaproject.kaa.examples.configuration;

import java.io.FileInputStream;
import java.util.List;

import org.apache.commons.io.IOUtils;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.ApplicationDto;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.ConfigurationDto;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.ConfigurationSchemaDto;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.EndpointGroupDto;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.UpdateStatus;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.common.dto.ctl.CTLSchemaDto;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.examples.common.AbstractDemoBuilder;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.examples.common.KaaDemoBuilder;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.server.common.admin.AdminClient;
import org.kaaproject.kaa.server.common.utils.FileUtils;
import org.slf4j.Logger;
import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;

@KaaDemoBuilder
public class ConfigurationDemoBuilder extends AbstractDemoBuilder{

    private static final Logger logger = LoggerFactory.getLogger(ConfigurationDemoBuilder.class);

    public ConfigurationDemoBuilder() {
        super("demo/configuration");
    }

    @Override
    protected void buildDemoApplicationImpl(AdminClient client) throws Exception {

        logger.info("Loading 'Configuration demo application' data...");

        loginTenantAdmin(client);

        ApplicationDto configurationApplication = new ApplicationDto();
        configurationApplication.setName("Configuration demo");
        configurationApplication = client.editApplication(configurationApplication);

        sdkProfileDto.setApplicationId(configurationApplication.getId());
        sdkProfileDto.setApplicationToken(configurationApplication.getApplicationToken());
        sdkProfileDto.setProfileSchemaVersion(0);
        sdkProfileDto.setNotificationSchemaVersion(1);
        sdkProfileDto.setLogSchemaVersion(1);

        loginTenantDeveloper(client);

        CTLSchemaDto ctlSchema = saveCTLSchemaWithAppToken(client, "config_schema.avsc", configurationApplication);

        logger.info("Creating configuration schema...");
        ConfigurationSchemaDto configurationSchema = new ConfigurationSchemaDto();
        configurationSchema.setApplicationId(configurationApplication.getId());
        configurationSchema.setName("ConfigurationDemo schema");
        configurationSchema.setDescription("Default configuration schema for the configuration demo application");
        configurationSchema.setCtlSchemaId(ctlSchema.getId());
        configurationSchema = client.saveConfigurationSchema(configurationSchema);

        logger.info("Configuration schema version: {}", configurationSchema.getVersion());
        sdkProfileDto.setConfigurationSchemaVersion(configurationSchema.getVersion());
        logger.info("Configuration schema was created.");

        EndpointGroupDto baseEndpointGroup = null;
        List<EndpointGroupDto> endpointGroups = client.getEndpointGroupsByAppToken(configurationApplication.getApplicationToken());
        if (endpointGroups.size() == 1 && endpointGroups.get(0).getWeight() == 0) {
            baseEndpointGroup = endpointGroups.get(0);
        }

        if (baseEndpointGroup == null) {
            throw new RuntimeException("Can't get default endpoint group for configuration demo application!");
        }

        ConfigurationDto baseConfiguration = new ConfigurationDto();
        baseConfiguration.setApplicationId(configurationApplication.getId());
        baseConfiguration.setEndpointGroupId(baseEndpointGroup.getId());
        baseConfiguration.setSchemaId(configurationSchema.getId());
        baseConfiguration.setSchemaVersion(configurationSchema.getVersion());
        baseConfiguration.setDescription("Base configuration demo configuration");
        String body = FileUtils.readResource(getResourcePath("config_data.json"));
        logger.info("Configuration body: [{}]", body);
        baseConfiguration.setBody(body);
        baseConfiguration.setStatus(UpdateStatus.INACTIVE);
        logger.info("Editing the configuration...");
        baseConfiguration = client.editConfiguration(baseConfiguration);
        logger.info("Configuration was successfully edited");
        logger.info("Activating the configuration");
        client.activateConfiguration(baseConfiguration.getId());
        logger.info("Configuration was activated");

        logger.info("Finished loading 'Configuration demo application' data...");
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Wesley Jonathan Hughes
Full Name: Wesley Jonathan Hughes
Goes By: Wes
Age in canon: 17
Age as of January 2015: 21 [Sep 1993]
School: Dalton Academy
House: Windsor
Brothers: NIL
Sisters: Eva, Ludmilla, Romany, Victoria
Prefers earbuds over headphones.
Wes lost the tater-tot fight to Mercedes by a tot or two.
Wes once kissed David for a dare while drunk.
His favorite season is Summer.
If he liked a girl, hed look after her in way above and beyond the call of duty.
Does motocross but he uses his car mainly because his motorcycle attracts attention.
Wes is good at drums, but only in Drummania/PrecussionFreaks.
He's into brunettes.
Wes used to date another Dobry girl before dating Tabitha.
Evan, Ethan, Wes, and David set up a 6 foot jenga stack to play with.
Wes bought Danny a car for his birthday.
Wes was freaking terrible at crochet. He managed to get his hands all in knots.
Wes - March Hare — because he's really the easier one to trigger. And like the March Hare, he can be very jittery and he tosses things around with abandon. He's also the one who's a bit more forward. (Between Wes and David)
Takes French.
After school: College. Then take over the family business.
He likes attitude in a girl.
Wes and David are always together, like the Hare and the Hatter.
Acts huffy and broody when jealous and will ignore everyone.
He will stare into space or keep glancing at someone if he's got a crush.
Laughs a lot when he's drunk.
If Wes were gay and he couldn't date David, Danny would be his second choice.
Got into a motorcycle accident once - it was an attempted hit and run.
Doesn't like the cold.
Sometimes sleeps naked although David will throw a pillow at him and tell him to put some clothes on.
Wes stills wears the beanie Kurt gave him for Christmas.
Wes picks grass types when playing Pokemon.
Drives a Hummer.
When given playdoh, he made a giant spider. And dropped it into Reed's lap.
He spent Christmas in Hawaii.
His favorite Harry Potter book is the Half Blood Prince.
Wes is second shortest, just taller than Reed is.
Wes and Tabitha once rode on his parents' yacht and tried to do the Titanic thing. Tabitha fell overboard.
On what he saw in Tabitha: "She was cute, and hot, and she's sweet when she's not screaming at me!"
Wes is swifter, testier and reacts easily—he gets to be the Hare.
He's often walked in on Katherine and David kissing at the hospital.
Wes once used a cheesy pickup line at a girl and she threw a chocolate sundae into his face.
Owns fake shrunken head on a spear, which he used against Dwight and the Stuarts on Friday the 13th.
Motorcycle Crash
It's basically something everyone had been very worried about and why his parents intervened on the hospitalization. I assumed Blaine and David—in their haste to get to him—overlooked the two big dudes who were "casually" waiting outside Wes' room. (The only reason Blaine and David would even still be breathing after charging like that in there would probably because Vicky or Romy already told those two that they were Wes' friends).
All boys and some girls had a jousting competition. Everyone rode a horse, and used an eleven-foot log to try and knock off their opponents. The houses Windsor, Stuart, Hanover and Lancaster have agreed that whichever house "wins" will be served by all the other houses in a big cookout. Wes is jousting for House of Windsor. Wes was jousting against Isaac from Lancaster. Wes thought he could beat Isaac if he played it right.
When the flag dropped, they raced forward. Isaac's lance missed over Wes' shoulder and Wes slammed his lance into Isaac's shield. Isaac was pushed back but remained on his horse. In the second round, the boys raced forward again and Isaac struck Wes straight on, and Wes' lance didn't even touch Isaac. Wes was almost thrown from his horse, but held on, though crying out in pain. They both drew. When Wes got back to Windsor side, he started saying his armor needed to come off as it was digging into him.
He had gashes over his body. Charlie poked him and asked if it hurt, which Wes cried out that it did, so Charlie said that nothing was broken then. Wes was then laid down, but he was happy that he drew. Wes and Derek were supposed to joust in round two, but Casey and Tabitha created a fight in the stands so the whole jousting tournament was called off.
Wes is adopted.
When Wes first came to the Hughes, he was very quiet. So Mrs. Hughes tried to draw him out of this quietness. She noticed that when she played the piano, little Wessie would peek in to the living room and so she would keep playing.
When Wes first saw a gun in his house, it was sitting on his father's study desk. Mr. Hughes found him looking at it and spent three hours talking to him about guns, what they do, and why that one and some others are inside the house.
He was around six years old when he was adopted by the Hughes'.
He learned to sing at the orphanage.
Wes family's cover business is a string of famous resteraunts.
No one in Windsor knows about his family.
He's close to his family.
Wes tries hard to handle problems on his own. Because if his family decide to step in…. He lives in fear of people going overboard, literally and figuatively, since his family can go a bit overkill.
Their house is rather big, with this great room that has big glass windows that go straight to the second floor. Very airy, with a big garden. It also has a really nice kitchen as Mrs. Hughes likes to cook.
He's never brought a girl home to meet the family.
For National Brothers Week, Wes' sisters all came to visit him.
Wes' sisters baby him and the younger ones admire him, 'hugging him like a teddy bear.'
All his sisters have dark hair and olive skin and Romy and Eva both look like their mother. Vicky and Lu have their fathers height and build.
Since he's the only boy, he's being groomed to take over after dad.
No less than four major crime bosses were present in Wes' eighth birthday party.
Takes yearly trips to Paris with his family.
There aren't really baby pictures of Wes.
If Wes was gay and he came out, there would be serious trouble. "Roof is gonna blow off their house."
Mr. Hughes is big on family. Yep, he takes family and friends very seriously. He expects loyalty from them, and in return, he supports them in any way he can. He's very doting on his girls, but he treats Wes with extra special care as the only boy. He tries to give him as much of his time as possible, trying to look after him, and sometimes it troubles him to be away on business so often. He misses Wes a lot, but he knows he's been sent away for his protection.
Mrs. Hughes was (and still rather is) a very beautiful woman. She is a rather strict kind of person—if something is not up to her standard, she will tell you so. She will correct you. And she will expect it to be correct the second time around. On the flip side of this, she's very soft and affectionate towards her babies, and is fiercely protective of them. This is why it is so hard for her to send Wes away someplace else where she can't be there ensuring his health and safety (and if she knew some of the stuff Wes did, she'd probably have heart failure).
Vicky (Victoria) is the oldest sister. She doesn't like being feted and pampered—she likes to do things on her own. She's terribly independent. She's recently started working as a lawyer in a firm.
Romy (Romany) is the second eldest—she's extremely pretty, and I imagine she got that from mom. She's fun and flirty and she's very loving towards her younger brother and sisters. She just started college.
Lu (Ludmilla) is in middle school. Like Vicky, she's a little independent. She doesn't like the rules and can be a little bit headstrong—doing as she pleases when she can.
Eva is the youngest—she's very girly and really does still behave like a little girl. Very happy-go-lucky, easy to make cheerful, and is generally considered as the little favorite after Wes.
Wes auditioned with Two Beds and a Coffee Machine.
David knows that he's going to be late when he's reached the "uniform" stage of his morning prep and Wes is still buried under pillows. Wes only buries his head under his pillows when he just can't be arsed to get up today.
Regarding Rockband, the mop and Markie (Tamerlanes duck): David had to clean the mop and Wes had to repair the guitar. The Tweedles were positive it wasn't going to hit the chandelier. Charlie was close to calling animal protection. Reed says that the good thing was that they beat their Rockband record. Then the drums caught fire.
One time, Wes retaliated against Derek (for torturing the athletes) by stealing his phone and made the ringtone "Hey! Listen!" Navi from Zelda.
Kurt once made six big tupperwares of cookies. He very unwisely left them alone. When he returned, he found out they were having a Hunger Games thing and the cookies were being used as rations. Wes and David was Peeta and Katniss.
When David's afro caught fire in the Windsor kitchen accident, Blaine and Wes were the ones who got to shave the whole thing off.
One time, Blaine experimented with various types of hairgel and ended up with so much on his head that it took Wes and David two bottles of shampoo and two hours of scrubbing to help him get it all out of his hair. …at which point Wes pointed out that one of those things was practically superglue.
Danny once met Michael Phelps. He completely restrained his fanboying until he managed to get well away and he ran around, found Wes, and screamed into his face. Surprisingly, Wes just kind of blinked and calmly said, "Michael Phelps?" And Danny nodded.
Because there's always food in his room (thanks to the Twins and Windsor efforts), Blaine would invite David for study sessions in his room so Wes could keep an eye on them both and make sure they remember to eat. Wes ends up eating more than the both of them, however.
Wes thinks of Julian as a primadonna.
For Childrens Day, all boys and girls dressed up as their favorite characters as a child. Wes dressed up as Bugs Bunny. Spencer was Daffy and Wes was Bugs, so Wes hit him on the head with his gavel.
On how he got to change houses: "Well it took a while. I had to petition the prefects of both Houses and the administration to allow me to change Houses. It had to be for a good reason too. It can't just be because I wanted to. I guess Hanover came up with "Wesley would better thrive academically, emotionally and socially in Windsor dormitory's environment." or something like that and some strings were pulled and someone finally bought it."
When the boys decided to dress up in drag to be Kurt's mothers on Mothers Day, Wes dress up as Angel from Rent. They were plotting this for days.
On meeting David: "He ended up seeing I was playing Dissidia (on the PSP) and asked if he could play too. So we ended up playing while Ramsey was making her speech. Then we got to talking after and decided to hang out afterward."
The Hanover boys miss him but they can see he's happy in Windsor. When he transferred, some of the boys were dissapointed that they were losing him but still wanted him to be happy.
Dwight tried smoking once and Wes concussed him.
There's a gavel in Hanover House. Wes hit Spencer in the head with it once.
Wes and David would rather slushee Logan than Karofsky - Logan to calm him down, Karofsky to show him how it feels.
When someone asks what a loud noise was, he responds with "Kitchen accident?"
Wes had his room filled with model planes by the twins once and he still doesn't know why.
Wes and David would be the first people to go and beat someone if they kissed Reed when he didn't want it.
Wes transferred from Hanover to Windsor because his friends were there and he could relate more to them. But everyone says it's because of David, even Wes and David agree on that.
Wes was good friends with Danny, and still is, before he moved to Windsor.
Danny's Self Harm
Sheer luck. I mean, I knew Danny was having it rough with school—I room with him, and he usually sleep until after two am, but I didn't know what else was eating him. One time, I walked in on Dan asleep earlier than usual and looking tired…I was going to get my notes from him, and I saw the razor. It had some…red on it. I panicked the hell out but I didn't want to scare him or anything.
When he woke up, I just…didn't mention it, but I started to look after him a little, spend some more time with him and watch him, make sure he's doing all right, talking to him about the stuff he was having problems with and telling him that I've got his back and all that. I told the Justin about it—he wasn't prefect then, but I assume he told the prefect.
Everyone tells the prefect everything, that was the only way he could take care of us. He orchestrated the party-for-no-reason for Danny. (smiles) Dan got better. It took time, but he's all right now.
Dressing In Drag
The boys were looking through old photos and were seriously arguing who looked the best in drag. "Look at your knees! You look like you've been kneeling in ashes!" "Screw you, man, my figure was better than yours!" "You don't even look good as a blonde! It takes charisma to pull that off!" " Your heels sucked!" "Excuse you, I looked like damn supermodel in those heels!" "You look like you needed some serious eyebrow threading." "At least I didn't have a five-o-clock shadow."
"Hey, I was Claudia freaking Schiffer in that dress. What do you call that shapeless sackcloth you were wearing?" "That was PRADA!" "Man, that was a bad lipstick color on you." "That was the only thing I could get!" "I think you'd've looked better in coral, really brings out your eyes." "Really?" And Kurt, the aforementioned victim of all this drag-ness, is pretending this isn't happening. "Look at this. You're not even sitting like a girl. You're sitting like a red-light district bang tail."
"I was the epitome of grace!!" "You need grace. Like prayers. Like before meals." They then organized a walk-off. Reed was happy to help while Kurt wasn't but the boys dragged them both off to dress them anyway. They all went to Dobry. 45 minutes later, they were all dressed up. Hope was standing on a big auditorium stage as the girls squeal in the audience.
"WELCOME TO THE DALTON ACADEMY WALK OFF!!" David opens the show. In full getup and wig and makeup. And a long silver evening gown. Katherine was laughing and screaming simultaneously. Charlie, in heels, follows after Wes, looking like he's way too big for that cornflower blue dress he's got on. Hope was falling all over Sydney, giggling.
And then Shane. Who's still in the wedding dress. Reed was laughing too hard to stand up as Shane struts down the runway, hamming it up. Kurt asked " ...why are you dating him again?" and Reed raises an eyebrow at him before gesturing to the runway. Blaine swirls into the runway and struts down it. Kurt: "......I retract my previous statement." Wes strolls in wearing a flowy, wavy dress and strutting along, and all the girls cheer because he's working it. Wes flashes everyone a pageant smile and blows kisses before strolling off.
The twins wore matching dresses. They were wearing that Zuhair Murad dress Miley Cyrus wore to the oscars. Satoru wore a red kimono dress covered in roses. David wore a sparkling blue and gray ball gown. Wes and Han were the finalists. Wes for pure fabulousness. Han for a disturbingly convincing costume of full sweet pink frilly loli dress complete with giant curly wig and ribbons. Lucy was very proud of that. With matching coat. And gloves. And socks. And baby pink platform shoes. And a ribbon. It was disturblingly convincing. He looked like Lucy.
He was wearing false eyelashes and sparkling eyeliner. Han had surprisingly nice legs in those socks. Lucy said he actually shaved them because she made him do it. Wes did get a crown when he won. He cried. And waved. The Dalton boys were laughing too hard to get up from their chairs. They were so proud of him. When Wes got changed back, he still wore his crown and pretended it wasn't there.
Haven at Dalton
When the Hanover, Lancaster and Windsor boys were all watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they were surrounded by an entire bulk shipment of candy. Blaine said, "This is actually the only way we can watch this movie," while chewing on a candy bar.
Wes agreed, "Yeah, we can't watch it without candy, we get too hungry." They will attempt to eat it all. And then they'll be sick. And Kurt and Merril will be left to deal with them. Haven then turned up, sat down and began to eat the candy. Sinclair immediately went for a pack of chocolate frogs.
Clark said he loved the movie. Raven grabbed a huge bar of milk chocolate and devours it like he'd been fighting dementors. Corey picked up chocolate-covered fruits which he said was his favorite, while Mikey grabbed whatever candy he could get his hands on.
Reeds Closet
For the longest time, Reed had problems organizing his closet by himself. When the boxes and boxes of stuff from his mom came in, he naturally had to sort them out--by designer, then by color. Considering how accident prone he is, that was not an easy feat to do, and he often gets helped - so to speak - by whoever Windsor was free at the time.
In the time when Blaine wasn't around, Reed pretty much gave up on getting any proper help from the other boys. Wes and David couldn't tell designers apart, and Charlie couldn't even tell the difference between casual pants and formal pants, so there goes that idea.
All the twins ever want to do was to play with the accessories and put on the clothes and reenact over dramatic scenes, so they weren't much help either. When Dwight was around, he just wanted to salt and purify everything. So when Reed became friends with Blaine, he at least had some decent help in sorting things out.
But it wasn't until Kurt when Reed actually properly arranged his entire closet within a day of shipment arrival.
Getting Dates
So there was one time at the height of civil war between Stuart and Windsor when there was an unofficial contest between the boys about getting girls to come to one of the school events. Windsor had the Twins, Wes, and David to do all the talking for them, so they were pretty confident about their chances.
But Stuart House had Derek, and, as anyone knew, that was the equivalent of bringing a gun to a knife fight. There was a tally - yes, there was an official tally - where a bowl of blue stars designated how many girls the Windsors were able to invite and red stars that indicated how many the Stuarts were able to.
So for about two weeks, Dobry Hall was raided by Dalton boys. And the day before the dance, Windsor was confident that they had roped in thirty five girls. And then Stuart presented their rake, half of which was Derek's alone. They hit the forty mark without issue. Which would've signaled the end of the entire shebang...
...had Jeff not returned from vacation and presented Hanover with sixty eight stars. So. Contest over. Nick states that while the rest of the boys went through Dobry for the girls, Jeff went around the rest of the schools in the area. Pretty smart, actually.
Apparently Jeff went to the different schools with flyers about the dance, just being helpful as usual ...and they all just said YES.
Charlie's Panic
One time, Charlie was doing homework, and he though the Twins just ran by his door naked. Which was the kind of thing that you tend to think you didn't see or would like to pretend you didn't see. And then Wes and David ran past in the same state and after that Charlie took a second to take a deep breath and proceeded to panic.
"Oh god, they've degenerated to orgies--" and ran downstairs to break it all up to find most of the boys clothed and apparently they had too much mountain dew and red bull and apparently were daring each other to streak across campus and whoever gets the furthest without getting caught wins. LOOK, they just came from deadlines and exams, they had to let out steam somehow.
Wrong Text Wes: (slumped over in the couch, face in his hands, his phone on the coffee table as far from him as possible)
David: Hey man, what's wrong?
Wes: (suffering tone) You know…I should be happy.
Wes: I really really should be happy that my parents are like…you know, they're totally in love and all that, I know some of the guys don't have that…
David: (patting his back as the Twins peek in) Yeah…?
Wes: but…I'm NOT HAPPY RIGHT NOW. TT I'm not happy when THAT happens. (waves to the phone)
David: When what happens?
Wes: (to the Twins peeking at his phone) Burn it, please.
Twins: (peeking at the message, dissolving in hysterical laughter) SHE SAID SHE WAS SORRY! XDDD
Wes: I DIDN'T NEED THESE SCARRING MENTAL IMAGES.
Twins: (dying in laughter) SHE SAID SHE MEANT TO SEND IT TO YOUR DAD, WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST DELETE IT?
Wes: THAT WOULD INVOLVE ME TOUCHING THE PHONE. PLEASE BURN IT.