IS 213 - Communications Spectrum

We decided to continue using our original three scenarios which we designed during low-fi prototype development. These three scenarios can be viewed in Assignment #4.

1b. Interface Differences from Low-fi Testing

We made several changes based upon the results of our low-fi usability tests and based on recently covered class topics. The changes and their motivations are as follows:

Prototype Area:

The largest change made to the design was made to the ‘Browse by Industry’ and ‘Browse by Region’ user input pages. These pages caused much user confusion and timeliness in the low-fi usability tests.

Changes Made:

The original titles given to these data viewing methods were confusing to users and all three testers originally chose the incorrect data path for their first data inclusive task. Because of this, we changed the names of the processes to be what the users expected them to be and we included more instruction about the uses of these processes on the front page.
In the low-fi design, users stepped through two pages (one for each input type) before reaching the result page. We determined that it would be more useful to combine these pages into one data input page. This allows users to more easily return to the data input page in order to make changes and view new data sets. Further, the new design allows users to more easily view all of the input selections that they make.

Prototype Area:

The layout of the tutorial confused user. Each page had been laid out with industry descriptions on the right and combined industry statitics on the left. Rather than relating the left hand information with all of the industries as a whole, users thought that each box of information on the left was related to the industry next to it.

Changes Made:

In order to fix the confusion, we split up the information in the combined information boxes on the left and included each industry's statistics with it's information. The pages now have one column rather than two.
We included a table summarizing all industries at the end of the tutorial, so users get to keep the ability to compare statistics among industries.

Other Changes Made:

In the user process to select data items, we eliminated the simple link selections and shuttle boxes and included drop down boxes. By doing this, it is more obvious to users the limitation on the number of selections that they are able to make.

1c. Storyboards

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

1d. Unimplemented Screens

There were a few screens both from low-fi prototype and from the interactive prototype process that we were unable to implement thus far.

In our low-fi prototype, we designed a screen which would include links to relevant communication spectrum sights. We plan on implementing this, but have not done so. The screen shot from the low-fi prototype is below.

We designed a short cut interface for our front page. This page includes an area where users can input data selections in order to compare industry and region data without having to navigate to that area of the site. This alternate design is shown below.

Originally, we designed two tutorial home pages. One includes content describing the communications spectrum and one includes information about how to use the tutorial. We chose to implement the first design, but we may implement the second design later as a tutorial help page. This design is below.

2. Prototype Overview

This version of the prototype focuses mainly on the interaction flow, site navigation and data results pages. There is still important content missing related to the industry categories, the tutorial, the related sites page and the glossary. This will be developed for the next version.

One particularly tricky information visualization problem that we haven't solved satisfactorily yet is the comparison of multiple industries in one region. The tabular data shows something interesting comparisons related to usage and ownership, but the horizontal bar charts are not as elucidating because they show the different industries allocated in different bands of the segment. Those horizontal bars work well to compare the same industry in multiple regions, but are not so useful in the other context.

3. Screen Shots

The entirety of a data results page is shown below.

4. Interface and Scenario Instructions

To use the interface, click on the following link and perform the below scenarios. The site performs best in IE.

US Radio Spectrum Information and Awareness

Test Scenario 1: You know very little about the communications spectrum. The site provides a tutorial. In order to learn more about the spectrum before continuing using the site, use the tutorial (in any manner that suits you.)

Test Scenario 2: You would like to investigate how Broadcast TV spectrum usage in Helena, Montana compares to Broadcast TV spectrum usage in New York City. Use the system to find pages containing information that could help you do this.

Test Scenario 3: You live in Helena, Montana. You are interested in determining the differences between the Broadcast TV spectrum usage and the AM/FM radio spectrum usage within Helena. Use the system to help you determine this.

5. Work Distribution

SIMS 213 Spring 2003

SIMS 213
Spring 2003