A model-based approach for supporting offline interaction with web sites resilient to interruptions

Abstract

Despite the wide availability of Internet connections, situations of interrupted work caused by accidental loss of connectivity or by intentional offline work are very frequent. Concerned by the negative effects of interruptions in users' activities, this work investigates a new approach for the design and development of Web applications resilient to interruptions. In order to help users to recover from interruptions whilst navigating Web sites, this paper proposes a model-based approach that combines explicit representation of end-user navigation, local information storage (i.e. Web browser caching mechanism) and polices for client-side adaptation of Web sites. With this model, we are able to provide users with information about which Web site's contents are available in an offline mode and how they can get easy access to local cache content. Moreover, the model can also be used to set proactive mechanism such as pre-caching Web pages that are likely to be looked at by users. Such a model-based approach is aimed at being used to build new Web sites from scratch but it can also be used as a mapping support to describe offline navigation of existing Web sites. This paper presents the conceptual model, a modeling case study and a tool support that illustrates the feasibility of the approach. © Springer International Publishing 2013.