Purpose: This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library (DL), aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users' perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement...Purpose: This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library (DL), aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users' perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach: Usability tests were conducted based on a framework of evaluation criteria and a set of information seeking tasks designed for the Dunhuang cultural heritage, and interviews were conducted for soliciting in-depth opinions from participants. Findings: The results of the usability tests indicate that the DL was more efficient in supporting simple information seeking tasks than those of higher-complexity levels. Statistical tests reveal that there were correlations among dimensions of usability criteria and user effectiveness measures. Moreover, interview discourses exposed specific usability issues of the DL. Research limitations: This research is based on a relatively small sample size, resulting in a limited representativeness of user diversity. A larger sample size is needed for a systematic cross group comparison. Practical implications: This study evaluated the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama DL and proposed suggestions for its improvement for better experience. The results also provide a reference to other cultural heritage DLs with panorama functions. Originality/value: This study is one of the first evaluating cultural heritage DLs from the perspective of user experience. It provides methodological references for relevant studies: the evaluation framework, the designed information seeking tasks, and the interview questions can be adopted or adapted in evaluating other visually centric DLs of cultural heritage.展开更多
This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and ana...This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and analyzes a series of research topics related to the inscription,hoping to thoroughly reveal the historical and cultural phenomenon of the high popularity and extensive spread of Qianzi Wen in the Tang dynasty,and attempt to restore some living scenes of ancient school students and cave-making artisans.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time to find Qianzi Wen on the wall in Mogao caves.展开更多
During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Ne...During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Nepal; It is worth noting that the Tibetan painting style during this period have no relative unified model actually, especially the mural and the silk painting preserved in Library Cave, the painting style of which had obvious difference between each other, and the reason behind this is very hard to explain. Until the late Tang Dynasty (A.D. 848-907), sheer Pala style of eastern India appeared in Dunhuang, however, whether those East India painting style still belong to Tubo remain for further discussion. The art style of East India appeared in Dunhuang during from the late Tang Dynasty to the early period of Northern Song Dynasty, probably propagated from the ways other than Tubo, and this art style was deemed as the one has nothing to do with Tibet's art in this study.展开更多
Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 Location: Dunhuang City, 6ansu Province, northwest China Best Time to Visit: Anytime, but autumn is the peak tourist season
AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on vari...AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on various subjects, such as religion, history,展开更多
基金partially supported by Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China,for the project titled "Metadata Standard for Cultural Relics Digital Preservation" (project No.: 2014BAK07B02)
文摘Purpose: This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library (DL), aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users' perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach: Usability tests were conducted based on a framework of evaluation criteria and a set of information seeking tasks designed for the Dunhuang cultural heritage, and interviews were conducted for soliciting in-depth opinions from participants. Findings: The results of the usability tests indicate that the DL was more efficient in supporting simple information seeking tasks than those of higher-complexity levels. Statistical tests reveal that there were correlations among dimensions of usability criteria and user effectiveness measures. Moreover, interview discourses exposed specific usability issues of the DL. Research limitations: This research is based on a relatively small sample size, resulting in a limited representativeness of user diversity. A larger sample size is needed for a systematic cross group comparison. Practical implications: This study evaluated the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama DL and proposed suggestions for its improvement for better experience. The results also provide a reference to other cultural heritage DLs with panorama functions. Originality/value: This study is one of the first evaluating cultural heritage DLs from the perspective of user experience. It provides methodological references for relevant studies: the evaluation framework, the designed information seeking tasks, and the interview questions can be adopted or adapted in evaluating other visually centric DLs of cultural heritage.
基金This study was part of“The Investigation and Research of the Inscriptions Left by Visitors in the Past dynasties in Dunhuang Caves”supported by the Western Program of National Social and Scientific Fund(18XKG008).
文摘This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and analyzes a series of research topics related to the inscription,hoping to thoroughly reveal the historical and cultural phenomenon of the high popularity and extensive spread of Qianzi Wen in the Tang dynasty,and attempt to restore some living scenes of ancient school students and cave-making artisans.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time to find Qianzi Wen on the wall in Mogao caves.
文摘During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Nepal; It is worth noting that the Tibetan painting style during this period have no relative unified model actually, especially the mural and the silk painting preserved in Library Cave, the painting style of which had obvious difference between each other, and the reason behind this is very hard to explain. Until the late Tang Dynasty (A.D. 848-907), sheer Pala style of eastern India appeared in Dunhuang, however, whether those East India painting style still belong to Tubo remain for further discussion. The art style of East India appeared in Dunhuang during from the late Tang Dynasty to the early period of Northern Song Dynasty, probably propagated from the ways other than Tubo, and this art style was deemed as the one has nothing to do with Tibet's art in this study.
文摘Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 Location: Dunhuang City, 6ansu Province, northwest China Best Time to Visit: Anytime, but autumn is the peak tourist season
文摘AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on various subjects, such as religion, history,