Work

Map-based navigation in a graphical MOO

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Traditional MUDs and MOOs lack support for global awareness and simple navigation. These problems can be addressed by the introduction of a map-based navigation tool. In this paper we report on the design and evaluation of such a tool for MOOsburg, a graphical 2D MOO based on the town of Blacksburg, Virginia. The tool supports exploration and place-based tasks in the MOO. It also allows navigation of a large-scale map and encourages users to develop survey knowledge of the town. An evaluation revealed some initial usability problems with our prototype and suggested new design ideas that may better support users. Using these results, the lessons learned about map-based navigation are presented. Keywords map-based navigation, collaborative virtual environments,

Source: XRDS Crossroads The ACM Magazine for Students

DOI: 10.1145/571758.571764

Authors: Wendy A. Schafer, Doug A. Bowman, John M. Carroll

Institution: Virginia Tech

Language: English

Topic: Usability and User Interface Design

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Science Foundation

Award: Human Interface Design for Access to Computers and Networked Information