Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Usability Evaluation of a Map-Based Multi-
Publishing Service
Hanna-Marika Flink, Juha Oksanen, Ulla Pyysalo, Mikko Rönneberg and
L. Tiina Sarjakoski
Finnish Geodetic Institute
Department of Geoinformatics and Cartography
P.O. Box 15, FIN-02431 Masala, Finland
hanna-marika.flink@fgi.fi, juha.oksanen@fgi.fi, ulla.pyysalo@fgi.fi,
mikko.ronneberg@fgi.fi, tiina.sarjakoski@fgi.fi
Abstract
The paper presents the usability evaluation of a map-based multi-
publishing service for outdoor leisure activities. The multi-publishing
service allows users to access the same spatial information contents
through different channels, such as printed maps, map applications for the
web or mobile phones and other interactive media. These channels
together form an interface for the geospatial information. The users may
use the channel or the combination of channels that is best suited for the
current situation. The user experience is constituted across the channels,
thus the channels need to be networked and the seamless interaction
between the channels needs to be ensured.
The case study presented here illustrates how the usability evaluation
methods of thinking aloud and questionnaires are exploited to achieve
results for concrete input for the iterative design process of a map service.
Examples of resulted suggestions to improve the service include:
determining how to further develop the user interfaces of the respective
channels or determining in what way the map design should be improved
to better serve the user needs. The evaluation was conducted for the
channels of a web map application, a mobile map application on an iPhone
and printed maps.
