Simplified user experience

[SoFiA-Admin]

Feedback from users suggests that SoFiA is often not used in an optimal way, potentially resulting in suboptimal results which in the worst case scenario may get published in scientific papers. Evidence suggests that users are often unable to understand how the underlying algorithms work and may be reluctant to read the documentation or tutorial.

We should consider simplifying the user experience to minimise the risk of inappropriate settings compromising the scientific results obtained through the use of SoFIA. Suggestions that have been made to that effect include:

• Setting up a step-by-step guide on how to set up SoFiA in a meaningful way.

• Taking away flexibility from the user. (For example, instead of having the user supply a list of smoothing kernels, we could simply ask for the maximum spatial and spectral scale of the expected sources and then generate a kernel list automatically.)

• Maximising automation as much as possible. (For example, we could provide a simplified user interface or parameter file that would only allow users to define a few crucial settings and use generic and meaningful default settings for everything else.)

• Rearranging the parameter file such that basic and fundamental settings appear first, and more advanced settings are found further down in a separate section for experience users.

• In general, we could consider separating all settings into basic and advanced categories, with the average user only having to worry about the basic settings.

The purpose of this issue is to provide a platform for discussing potential solutions to the problem of users being overwhelmed by the complexity of SoFiA’s algorithms and settings. Any comments and suggestions aimed at addressing this problem are welcome.