title: Performance evaluation of a distance learning program.
abstract: This paper presents a performance metric which uses a single number to characterize the response time for a non-deterministic client-server application operating over the Internet. When applied to a Macintosh-based distance learning application called the Digital Anatomist Browser, the metric allowed us to observe that "A typical student doing a typical mix of Browser commands on a typical data set will experience the same delay if they use a slow Macintosh on a local network or a fast Macintosh on the other side of the country accessing the data over the Internet." The methodology presented is applicable to other client-server applications that are rapidly appearing on the Internet.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dailey
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Eno
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Brinkley
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008433:Mathematics; D009445:Neuroanatomy / Q000193:education*; D011336:Probability; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States