IBM PC Data Acquisition and Processing Software Evaluation

Commercially available software packages for IBM PC-compatibles are evaluated to use for data acquisition and processing work. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) acquired computers since 1978 to use on shipboard data acquisition (Le. CTD, radiometric, etc.) and data processing. First Hewlett-Packard desktops were used then a transition to the DEC VAXstations, with software developed mostly by the author and others at MLML (Broenkow and Reaves, 1993; Feinholz and Broenkow, 1993; Broenkow et al, 1993). IBM PC were at first very slow and limited in available software, so they were not used in the early days. Improved technology such as higher speed microprocessors and a wide range of commercially available software made use of PC more reasonable today. MLML is making a transition towards using the PC for data acquisition and processing. Advantages are portability and available outside support

3D modelling by low-cost range camera: software evaluation and comparison

The aim of this work is to present a comparison among three software applications currently available for the Occipital Structure SensorTM; all these software were developed for collecting 3D models of objects easily and in real-time with this structured light range camera. The SKANECT, itSeez3D and Scanner applications were thus tested: a DUPLOTM bricks construction was scanned with the three applications and the obtained models were compared to the model virtually generated with a standard CAD software, which served as reference. The results demonstrate that all the software applications are generally characterized by the same level of geometric accuracy, which amounts to very few millimetres. However, the itSeez3D software, which requires a payment of $7 to export each model, represents surely the best solution, both from the point of view of the geometric accuracy and, mostly, at the level of the color restitution. On the other hand, Scanner, which is a free software, presents an accuracy comparable to that of itSeez3D. At the same time, though, the colors are often smoothed and not perfectly overlapped to the corresponding part of the model. Lastly, SKANECT is the software that generates the highest number of points, but it has also some issues with the rendering of the colors

Software Evaluation and Maintenance Cost,

This paper tries to explore the relationship between software evaluation and maintenance cost. A research model and hypotheses are proposed. Field study methodology will be used to collect data. Future research is needed to validate the research model

ERP Software Evaluation and Comparative Analysis

This paper presents the results of an investigation performed in 2001 under the title Comparative Analysis of Information Systems Software in Croatia. The focus was set on the comparative analysis of domestic and foreign Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, which is present in Croatia. The investigation was performed from the standpoint of ERP applicability, regardless of the development methods and information technology. In other words, the evaluation was performed primarily from the standpoint of users rather than designers, programmers or other persons engaged in the system development and implementation. System evaluation was performed in several phases and in multiple steps. A general list of relevant ERP characteristics was established first. This initial list was updated in co-operation with ERP suppliers and users. They completed the list by adding the characteristics they regarded as important or accentuated some features of their solutions that had not been mentioned initially. System evaluation was performed at the users\u27 sites, having insight to real applications. To increase the objectivity and accuracy, the evaluating teams consisted by persons of different profile (independent field experts, e.g. an accounting expert, IT expert, end-user etc.). In spite of the attitude taken not to evaluate the concrete basic technology, some estimation of the computing architecture and functionality was performed, when it was found relevant for the estimation of applicability

MASET: Multi-Attribute Software Evaluation Tool

Software developers and organizational users face many problems in identifying and evaluating features of software products. The products are complex, with numerous options, making design and development of applications time consuming and costly. With many users, it can be difficult to summarize user needs and priorities, let alone identify the functions and features that they need in the applications. Once functions and features are identified, a three stage least squares technique is used to identify and prioritize important features of software products. TheMulti-Attribute Software Evaluation Tool (MASET) can be used to evaluate existing software (commercial or in-house) or proposed features of new software products. This tool combines a series of functions into a software product that aids in the development of an evaluation questionaire, accepts input from respondents, prepares the input for the statistacal analysis package and uses an artifical intelligence module to analyze the result

Wicked Problems and Gnarly Results: Reflecting on Design and Evaluation Methods for Idiosyncratic Personal Information Management Tasks

This paper is a case study of an artifact design and evaluation process; it is a reflection on how right thinking about design methods may at times result in sub-optimal results. Our goal has been to assess our decision making process throughout the design and evaluation stages for a software prototype in order to consider where design methodology may need to be tuned to be more sensitive to the domain of practice, in this case software evaluation in personal information management. In particular, we reflect on design methods around (1) scale of prototype, (2) prototyping and design process, (3) study design, and (4) study population

A Threefold User-Based Software Evaluation Framework

While pressured to release new software to market, software development organization often find themselves choosing between quality and timeliness. From a business perspective, success is determined to a significant extent by the perceptions of quality exhibited by consumers with respect to the software product being offered. In this context, we propose taxonomy of software users and design a user-centered software evaluation framework to support software quality assessment processes. An online survey is conducted for exploring software users’ perceptions of quality and the results are used to define three categories of software users. The findings of this study shed new light on the way software development organizations should perceive the relationship with their consumers and, consequently, on the way they should manage development projects. The contributions to both research and practice stem from the proposing of a new and more detailed approach to defining and measuring software system quality and its associated assessment processes

A Dichotomous Stakeholder-Centric Software Evaluation Framework

This research-in-progress presents a problem that eluded practitioners and researchers for a long period of time. While pressured to release new software to market very rapidly, software development companies find themselves often choosing between quality and timeliness. Since from an economical point of view the quality of a software product is determined by consumers’ perceptions, this research proposes a dichotomous stakeholder-centric framework designed to support software quality assessment processes

Learning Content and Software Evaluation and Personalisation Problems

The paper aims to analyse several scientific approaches how to evaluate, implement or choose learning content and software suitable for personalised users/learners needs. Learning objects metadata customisation method as well as the Method of multiple criteria evaluation and optimisation of learning software represented by the experts' additive utility function are analysed in more detail. The value of the experts' additive utility function depends on the learning software quality evaluation criteria, their ratings and weights. The Method is based on the software engineering Principle which claims that one should evaluate the learning software using the two different groups of quality evaluation criteria - `internal quality' criteria defining the general software quality aspects, and `quality in use' criteria defining software personalisation possibilities. The application of the Method and Principle for the evaluation and optimisation of learning software is innovative in technology enhanced learning theory and practice. Application of the method of the experts' (decision makers') subjectivity minimisation analysed in the paper is also a new aspect in technology enhanced learning science. All aforementioned approaches propose an efficient practical instrumentality how to evaluate, design or choose learning content and software suitable for personalised learners needs