A Comparison of Traditional and Fisheye Radar View Techniques for Spatial Collaboration

The activity of spatial collaboration involves solving spatial problems related to a large, physical area. Representing this area in collaboration software is not trivial. Radar views are a popular technique for providing awareness information in shared representations. They indicate where each user is working and any overlaps in users’ viewports. However, spatial collaboration requires more features than that provided by radar views. An enhanced design that uses fisheye techniques is offered and compared in empirical study with a traditional approach to radar views. Results indicate that the enhanced design has the potential to better support spatial collaboration activities and that users are divided on which technique they prefer. A discussion of results and suggestions for redesign are also proposed. Key words: radar views, fisheye techniques, awareness, spatial collaboration, interactive maps

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: GRAPHICSINTERFACE
• Authors: Wendy A. Schafer, Doug A. Bowman
• Keywords: GRAPHICSINTERFACE 2003, GRAPHICSINTERFACE 2007, Radar Views, Spatial Collaboration, Support Spatial Collaboration