TOOLS
Learn More About Scrutinizer
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What is it?
The Scrutinizer is a web browser, based upon the Adobe AIR toolkit and the WebKit browser, that offers a simulation of the human visual system. Specifically, it illustrates the distinction between foveal and peripheral vision in visual acuity and color perception. Using this simulation, you can get a better idea of how users interact with your site design. We explain this, and some of the succes we've had, in a 30 minute video called Click Fu. It's also a great tool for observing users interacting with your pages. By slowing them down, the Scrutinizer makes it easier for you to figure out what information the user is consuming and what actions they are considering. Learn about other ways to use the tool at our Top Ten list.How it Works
The Scrutinizer browser applies a visual filter to where the mouse is located, simulating foveal vision centered around the mouse. For parts of the screen far away from themouse, the display deteriorates into lower resolution, both in detail and color. You can use the browser to get a better understanding of the low level mechanics of how users interact with your site design. Attempting to accomplish a key task on your site using the Scrutinizer can be very enlightening. Watching a user unfamiliar with your site attempt a key task with the Scrutinizer is even better at revealing how your site design affects the way the user extracts meaning from your presentation. Learn more in the Click Fu video, covering practical examples of improved e-commerce, or the 52 second "Your Vision is an Illusion", presenting a dramatic illustration of foveal vision. Finally, check out using the Scrutinizer for a findability challenge on Amazon.com.The Beta Download
The StomperNet Scrutinizer BETA is available free for a period of feedback and refinement. Get it from the the download page. This period is expected to last through Q1 2008.Limitations
We have worked hard to make the Scrutinizer browser as compatible with sites as possible. The underlying WebKit engine, which powers Safari, is the first limitation. Beyond that, the application of the visual simulation restricts some functionality like interaction with sophisticated Flash movies.There are some other challenges. Because we're capturing an image of the screen, things like keypresses may not update immediately. Click on the screen will always update the view. As we understand the performance implications across different machines, we hope to improve this behavior.
Eye tracking simulator
Am I missing something, or did you say that scrutinizer would simulate eye tracking software you have at your labs? (If that is the case, does it simulate actual eye movements using a webcam, or is it more of a "crazyegg" simulation that tracks mouse movement?)
Exposing the Milliseconds Beneath Awareness
The Scrutinizer is designed to provide similar insights as eye tracking, but uses a different method to do so. It tracks the mouse, forcing the eye to behave as if it's looking at the location of the mouse. By distorting the area some distance from the mouse, in the visual periphery, the app provides an approximation of the visual data that's available when looking at a specific location.
Scrutinizer operation
In reading what I have so far, and in the post above, scrutiner works where the mouse is. I don't understand how this helps, as I don't move my mouse when I land on a page to read it? My eye picks a spot ,and then moves according to what I am reading. The mouse is inactive and parked wherever it was when last used, and really has no baring on where I am looking on the page.
I would only use the mouse to scroll (across or down) on the page, hit the back arrow to goback, or some other navigational function. I don't follow the stuff I am reading with the mouse, so please explain to me how this works. Am I missing something?
Simulating Implicit Visual Processes with Explicit Cognition
The experience you describe, quite eloquently, is commonplace. On the other hand, it seems that many people keep their mouse close behind their eyes -- because, if they're going to click, it's going to be where they're looking. This is more commonplace on pages with dense hyperlinks (ex. cnn.com homepage) than with long textual pages.
That however, is beside the point.
The core value of the Scrutinizer experience is forcing you (or the customer) to explicitly make information acquisition choices. Normally, you're eye is flitting around rapdily -- too rapid for awareness. Even when you're aware of your large eye movements (up to needing to move your head), they happen very automatically.
The Scrutinizer attempts to simulate the information on the page as you would perceive it in that small amount of time you were looking at the unblurred "fovea". This information guides the efficacy and nature of your actions (ex. clicking add to cart).
It's a bit of a mind twist from eye tracking devices, and useful in a different way.
I highly recommend you check out the Click Fu video. I think AndyJ and I do a pretty good job of explaining this:
http://www.stompernet.net/goingnatural2/?vid=4