Due: Thursday, 21 Nov 2013, 9am

For this assignment you will analyze the search interfaces of Wine.com and Zillow.com through the lens of organizing systems presented thus far in class. Familiarize yourself with their search functionality by performing a few searches (say “pinot noir” for Wine.com and “Berkeley, CA” for Zillow.com). Screenshots of each website are attached so you can see the general area you ought to be looking at.

Write 450-550 words for each of the following questions (for a total of 900-1100 words). Submit a single file FirstnameLastnameA8Report.pdf that contains all parts of the assignment.

wine.com advanced search: http://www.wine.com/v6/search/advancedsearch.aspx

zillow.com search: http://www.zillow.com/homes/berkeley,-ca_rb/
click on the filter buttons to the right of the search bar to bring up the advanced search boxes, if they don’t show up automatically

Part 1 (4 points)

Analyze the search interface and the search results using the key concepts of organizing systems we’ve covered this semester. DO NOT concern yourself with whether the results are actually good or if they fulfill the user’s information needs. Focus on what these interfaces reveal to you about the underlying organizing system. Specifically, comment on each of the following:

1. Classification principles

2. Resource description

3. Granularity

4. One issue of your choosing.

Provide 1-2 specific examples for each, to illustrate your points.

Part 2 (6 points)

Discuss 3 specific design issues from the Hearst chapter and for each issue, evaluate how well it is satisfied in both applications.

Bonus (1 point)

Suggest a way that either of these search interfaces could be improved, justifying your suggestion using one of the design issues from the Hearst chapter (maximum of 50 words extra). If appropriate, you may use one of the issues you brought up in Part 2.

Screenshots