Re: As a cyborg...

On Dec 17, 2024, at 12:16 PM, Melvin Carvalho <melvincarvalho@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> út 17. 12. 2024 v 17:49 odesílatel Sarven Capadisli <info@csarven.ca <mailto:info@csarven.ca>> napsal:
> Hi all,
> 
> I've noticed that a significant number of use cases are framed as "as a user" with little to no detail about the actors involved.
> 
> I find "user" to be overly vague for use cases or at the very least too obvious given common alternative is software (or hardware, cyborgs, etc.).
> 
> I suggest we take greater care in describing the actors so that the requirements derived from the use cases more accurately reflect what is actually needed, for whom, and in what context.
> 
> The focus should be on actor diversity with variations in needs, capabilities, and aspirations.
> 
> "Agent" might work here—it's a parent class of FOAF's Person and avoids unnecessary complexity like "cyborgs." While "user" can be vague, it’s often useful for keeping things simple and moving forward, especially in a group that’s already started late. 
> 


I think the overall issue would benefit from further consideration. 

"As a cyborg" doesn't tell me what *kind* of cyborg — are you primarily a biological entity with mechanical subcomponents (e.g., screws in your skeleton, an ethernet port into your brain, a programmable pacemaker, a programmable pacemaker with defibrillator, etc.) or primarily a mechanical entity with biological subcomponents (to be specified later)?

I think `As a foaf:Agent...` is much too broad for what these statements are supposed to communicate. It's certainly much broader than the original "as a user", not more precise (which is the direction I think you were trying to suggest, Melvin?).

foaf:Agent *includes* cyborgs, humans using browsers (perhaps the most common meaning of either "agent" or "user"), browsers themselves, autonomous agents (not to be redundant), pets, and various other subclasses.

I think `As a User...` is a fine starting point. It would likely be better to refine it in some way(s) — e.g., `User of a Web Browser...` or 
`User of a Breadmaker...` or `User of a Threaded-Conversation-Manager...`, etc.

Be seeing you,

Ted




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