Enhancing the experience of the landscape: The digital dowsing rod

Abstract

This research presents the Digital Dowsing Rod (DIWI1) a framework of a Location Based Service (LBS) to explore the cultural heritage of a region. The DIWI consists of a service oriented architecture (SOA), a web-client, a content management system and a mobile client based on smart phones and windows mobile technology. The chosen set-up allows for an easy management of the content and allows for a relative easy extension of the system by additional data-sources. An extended user test of 150 testers was carried out in the “Grebbelinie” area, the Netherlands. The testers hiked and biked via different routes through that area using the application. Despite a number of technical shortcomings the DIWI was positively valued by the testers. Inspired by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) the perceived use, perceived usefulness, and perceived enjoyment were evaluated using questionnaires and detailed user logging.