Abstract
The GRAVSOFT suite of Fortran programs enables gravity field modeling using 3D or 2D Least-Squares Collocation and Fourier techniques, the computation of topographic effects, the evaluation of high-degree spherical harmonic series and several other functions. It has been developed since the early 1970s with a line-oriented DOS-interface. Sponsored by the Geodetic Survey of Malaysia a modern graphical interface has been designed using Python (www.python.org) and the widget toolkit Tk, following the Apple Design Guidelines.
A prototype was designed and tested at a geoid workshop in Malaysia. An iteration of this was then tested at the International Geoid School, Como and a third iteration during a graduate course at the University of Copenhagen. The result is two main redesigns; the GRAVSOFT Launcher Interface and the browsing Interface.
User evaluation showed high satisfaction with the Interface, but identified the error/help support as dissatisfying. However 1 in 4 found it difficult to learn to use the programs. Difficulties in learning is correlated with participants educational level, showing that when applications – which have been used in research – target other user groups, redesign and user testing is required.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (1987) The Apple Desktop Interface by Inc. Apple Computer
Forsberg R, Tscherning CC (2008) An overview manual for the GRAVSOFT Geodetic Gravity Field Modelling Programs. 2 edn. Contract report for JUPEM
Golden Software: Surfer User’s Guide (2002) http://www.goldensoftware.com
Likert R (1932) A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology 140: 1–55
Nielsen Janni, Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld, Oluf Danielsen (2003) Dialogue Design-with mutual learning as guiding principle. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
Nielsen J, Jansson TRN, Tscherning CC (2008) Creating a user interface to GRAVSOFT. Report prepared for Geodesy Section Dep. of Surveying and Mapping Malaysia, 2008. Available cct.gfy.ku.dk/publ_cct/cct1932.pdf
Preece J, Rogers Y, Sharp H (2004) Interaction design, Apogeo Editore
Tscherning CC, Forsberg R, Knudsen P (1992) The GRAVSOFT package for geoid determination. Proc. 1. Continental Workshop on the Geoid in Europe, Prague, May 1992, pp 327–334, Research Institute of Geodesy, Topography and Cartography, Prague
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nielsen, J., Tscherning, C.C., Jansson, T.R.N., Forsberg, R. (2012). Development and User Testing of a Python Interface to the GRAVSOFT Gravity Field Programs. In: Kenyon, S., Pacino, M., Marti, U. (eds) Geodesy for Planet Earth. International Association of Geodesy Symposia, vol 136. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20338-1_53
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20338-1_53
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-20337-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-20338-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)