Hsuan Lin

Direct-touch vs. mouse input for navigation modes of the web map

Nowadays the web map (E-map) is becoming a widely-used wayfinding tool. However, when it is operated with a different input device, its performance will be affected. To investigate its functional performances in various navigation modes, two input devices were employed, i.e., the mouse and the touch screen. Meanwhile, the map websites over the Internet were searched and examined, and three dominant navigation modes in current use were identified: (1) continuous control and continuous display (CCCD), (2) discrete control and continuous display (DCCD), and (3) discrete control and discrete display (DCDD). Then, the experimental interfaces were designed and simulated tests were separately conducted with the mouse and the touch screen to evaluate the performance results. In this research, 36 volunteers participated in the experiment, whose task completion times and user interface actions (total number of clicks on arrow keys) were analyzed through a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the six types of operational performance. It was finally discovered that, in all of the navigation modes, the mouse performed remarkably better than the touch screen in terms of task completion time (F2,70 = 3.28, p < .001). Moreover, the participants did much better in the CCCD mode than in the other modes whether they used the mouse or the touch screen. The findings will be utilized by our research team as the stepping stone to the development of a navigation mode compatible with both the mouse and the touch screen; besides, they will serve as a reference when the web map is further studied and practically designed.

The enhanced navigator for the touch screen: A comparative study on navigational techniques of web maps

Abstract Nowadays the web map (E-map) is an indispensable wayfinding tool in the Internet-based society. However, its usability will vary with a different navigational technique or input device. The navigational techniques currently adopted by various web maps were investigated and analyzed. Moreover, two input devices, i.e., the mouse and the touch screen, were operated in four navigational techniques to study the differences in their functions and performances. Later, the research findings were utilized to develop a new navigational technique. The research was divided into two stages. During the first stage, all the navigational techniques in current use were investigated and compared. Then, based on the results of analysis, the enhanced navigator with continuous control (ENCC) was designed. During the second stage, the searching and browsing techniques of different web maps were simulated. Afterwards, the mouse and the touch screen were employed separately to conduct simulation tests in the following navigational techniques: (1) combined panning buttons (CPB), (2) distributed panning buttons (DPB), (3) ENCC, and (4) GD besides, the subjective evaluation questionnaires were answered. It was discovered that the mouse did better than the touch screen in the four navigational techniques. Besides, among the four techniques, ENCC showed the best performance. Capable of continuous control and continuous display, the ENCC interface was upgraded in terms of operational speed and directional control. The findings can be used as a reference in the design of web maps. Also, it is suggested that ENCC should be widely applied to touch screens and mice so that the navigation of information space may be facilitated.

How Different Presentation Modes of Graphical Icons Affect Viewers’ First Fixation and Attention

This study aimed to explore how different presentation modes of graphical icons affect the viewer’s attention. The relevant experiment was designed to investigate three main variables: icon composition, polarity, and border. Through permutation and combination, six presentation modes were obtained as follows: line + positive polarity + border (M1), plane + positive polarity + border (M2), line + negative polarity + border (M3), plane + negative polarity + border (M4), line + positive polarity + no border (M5), and plane + positive polarity + no border (M6). Thirty-six participants were required to watch thirty stimuli, or graphical icons, presented concurrently in six abovementioned modes. The number of first fixations was recorded by eye-trackers; meanwhile, subjective evaluation of attention was conducted and analyzed. As indicated by the experimental results, the icons presented in M4 attracted the most attention; in contrast, the icons presented in M5 attracted the least attention. The findings herein can be used as a reference by interface designers while icons are being designed.

An Evaluation of User Experience of Web Main Menu on Different Mobile Devices

These days, we live in a multi-screen world with various devices for personal use. Designing a website that can provide the best user experience and increasing customer retention rates for more websites are both crucial. This study aims to explore which RWD main menu design can provide the best user experience (UX). By taking different website samples, this study analyzes the relevance between “website main menu design factors” and “different user experience dimensions” using an experimental method. Our results indicate the criteria for the best design parameters for RWD main menus for laptops, tablet PCs, and smartphones in order to create the best web experience for the user.

Viewing Angle, Depth and Directionality of 2D and 3D Icons

The modern world is faced with an increasingly aging population, so the demand and market of the aged have expanded rapidly. The authors suggest researching the icons suitable for the elderly. The findings herein identify design elements of 2D and 3D icons and may serve as a reference for those engaged in icon design and research in the future. Therefore, this study probed comprehensively into the viewing angles, depth, and directionality of 2D and 3D icons. The useful references for further research and practical applications of website design.

Acoustical Evaluation for the Renovation of Multipurpose Performance Hall

Taipei Arts Promotion Center Hall carried out renovation works and acoustical evaluation was conducted in 2003. In the past 15 years of use, due to air humidity and material aging and other factors, may affect the room acoustics. The assessments mainly focus on the setting of the space in theater mode, this is the most frequently used setting by the owner. Auditorium impressions of different audiences are different due to the different characteristics of the reverberation time. Different auditory impressions may also reflect time, space, intensity and frequency characteristics and other factors in sound field. In the survey and assessment, field measurement is taken as the basis for assessment, and the real field hall is measured, which includes in-site measurement and computer simulation evaluation for chamber music performance. Finally, the article finally presents the relevant improvement and description.

Acoustical Evaluation of Soundscape in Urban Spaces Along Traffic Corridor

In recent years, Taiwan’s public transport infrastructures at all levels have improved and enhanced public convenience which is including the airport, high-speed railway, metropolitan rapid train (MRT), and so on. The aircraft channel location and highway plane elevated, the formation of the connected trail system and open recreation spaces can provide people holiday gathering and recreation of the important field. The NIMBY effect of the noise in the public open space along the traffic facilities is not reduced, it is the best choice for another area of residents’ gathering and recreation on the contrary. For the urban traffic corridor along the adjacent channel system and open space, to the urban soundscape theory as the basis, through the time, energy and space and other factors for the exploring the sound energy distribution of the sound field. In this study, objective physical measurements were taken as an evaluation method, and the equivalent sound level LAeq (dB) was used to monitor the field, and the sound energy distribution map was drawn from the point, line and region. This paper discusses the relationship between subjective physical measurement and objective evaluations and tries to construct an important exposition of urban soundscape as the research theme of the next stage. The results of this study provide an alternative assessment of the development and sightseeing of urban corridors in terms of urban comfort, which are based on the sound field comfort.

Shape Design and Exploration of 2D and 3D Graphical Icons

Due to the rise of the app market, icon design is highly valuable to app marketing. Currently, with a wide range of icons in the main menu, users can not immediately identify their needed interface or function, thus encountering operational problems. In the past, almost all relevant studies mainly focused on visual recognizability and shape features of 2D icons, not on those of 3D icons. Therefore, this study probed comprehensively into the design elements of 2D and 3D icons. The design elements include icon composition, border, polarity, shade, and shadow. After that, the design elements of 2D and 3D icons were extracted which may serve as a practical and scholarly reference in the field of icon design in the future.

Investigation into the Discrepancies Between Writing on Paper and Writing on a Touchscreen Device

Due to the complexity of text in Asian languages and hence the complexity of input methods, demand for stylus-type input is higher in Asian than the Western world, prompting Asian tech brands such as Samsung and Sony to introduce smart devices with in-built stylus to cater to this group of consumers. To account for general usage, this research has opted to employ mobile devices with built-in stylus as test equipment. In addition, in order to account for the difference between various sizes of devices, the researchers have chosen three device dimensions: 5.7 in, 9.7 in, and 12 in, for the tests, and each size of device is compared to an identically sized piece of paper. In consideration of the locality of the behavior of users, the subjects are asked to input using Traditional Chinese text only. Results from the experiment showed, in terms of writing behavior, that almost all subjects put the device flat on a table for writing, and that the habit of spinning the paper to an angle for writing is transferred to writing on a device. The finger positions on a stylus change depending on the properties of the device, especially when writing on the 5.7 in, the smallest device, touching the stylus at the smaller supporting points or completely dangle the pen away from the palm occurs much more often than on the bigger device sizes. In terms of writing performance, writing time on a device is generally longer than that on paper. The words written on a device are bigger and grow in size as the device size increases on the devices, but on the different sizes of paper the words stay relatively the same size. Words written on a device are generally less legible than those written on paper.

A Study on Re-usage of Historical Building - from the Aspect of Room Acoustic for Live House

Renovation of historical building not only by the performance of the new usage of space continues it life, but more importantly approaches through the musical performance can be activated. Re-use of buildings as a “Live house” which is performed for the musical show with sound reinforcement system is particularly welcome by young people in Taipei. It is important to foster the promotion of pop music platform since starting to focus on issues of re-use of the interior of historical space in the globe, even domestic and foreign literature on the study slightly is still insufficient, which is concentrated on the main function of music performances. Therefore, this study stationed at Red House Theater “Riverside Message Music Pavilion” to explore the subject through the perspective of redefine their spatial acoustic performance capability, and the issue of noise prevention, reinterpreting the historical space combined with industry existing development of live musical performances. Research method is verified by computer simulation which is to understand the optimization of the performance of room acoustic. The results of preliminary study may offer the on-site users and performers of questionnaire interviews which are corresponding on the future objective field measurement.