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Table 5 Example participant comments, Case 2

From: Social design feedback: evaluations with users in online ad-hoc groups

Usefulness rating

Qualitative characteristic

Example comments

0 - 3

Negative/Problem

John turning off the GPS may have catastrophic consequences.

Suggestion

NA

Both

NA

 

Neither

This is perfect. It is much easier than having notes or similar lying around to remember things.

4.5 - 5.5

Negative/Problem

I would not use this kind of function. It is a type of function that limits the freedom of people to move about as they wish, and as Anonymous2 writes, this assumes that the recipient is moving in a “given pattern” …

Suggestion

If this is to be interesting, the recipient needs to be updated on whether the message is read or not.

Both

A bit too 1984, except that it is Linda who sees you and not big brother. I would not use this function and would turn it off if it was default. If you absolutely need this, it would be good if it could (if possible) find its position by way of mobile signals, this would save battery capacity dramatically. (Think HTC Hero does this if the GPS is turned off and one uses the map, with a 5–800 meter error margin, but still).

 

Neither

This is a function I would use for road descriptions and meeting information.

7 - 10

Negative/Problem

Everything is wrong with this functionality. First the GPS reception is poor in the pocket or in the purse. Second, this will drain the phone battery empty even faster. Third, I doubt that John finds it nice that Linda can do 24/7 surveillance on him. All in all GPS on the phone is a double-edged sword in a world where it seems as if the EU data directorate may be accepted (use all your influence and VOTE AGAINST!). This can be useful for Taxi drivers and couriers etc. as a working tool but involves too much surveillance for my liking.

Suggestion

Would be a cool function that can be used for a lot of useful things. To limit misuse the user should choose who are allowed to do this, for example persons in the contact list, anybody who wants, just some contacts, block some contacts, etc. And for it to work everywhere it needs to use a radius that is bigger than the exact shop door, maybe 50–100 meters from the chosen point.

Both

I find this superfluous. It should be designed to fit better for people not familiar with the area, rather than people living nearby and therefore knowing where the closest grocery store is. Maybe a kind of a GPS showing guests or visitors where they should go from the nearest bus stop to the party they are to visit.

 

Neither

NA