Usage data from The Grid

The Grid 1 can store information about the activities of the user, allowing you to analyse the effectiveness of different setups. For example, you could compare the number of jumps required to build the same sentence with different vocabularies, or find out which cells the user is using often and move them nearer to the start page.

Before you start: A note on privacy

Using the Data Logging features of The Grid allows all of a user's conversations to be replayed. There are clearly some privacy implications, so please consider asking the user for permission, only using the data logging during certain sessions and limiting the distribution of the log files.

Retrieving data from The Grid

To enable Data Logging in The Grid, you will need version 1.1.8 or later. If you do not have this version, please contact your supplier for an upgrade.

You need to create a shortcut to The Grid. To do this, open My Computer and navigate to the following folder:   C:Program FilesSensory SoftwareThe Grid Next, right-click on the icon for The Grid (the file TheGrid.exe) and choose "Create Shortcut" from the menu.

You now need to edit the properties of the shortcut. Right-click on the new shortcut and choose "Properties...".
Edit the Target, and add /logusage to the very end of the line (after the quotes, see picture below).

Now click on OK to save the changes. You can move the shortcut somewhere more useful if you wish (such as the Desktop or the Start Menu), and also rename it with a memorable name.

When The Grid is launched from the shortcut (rather than the usual icon) it will log data. Usage Logs are stored in the folder:
  C:Program FilesSensory SoftwareThe GridUsage Logs
Each file is named according to the date and time that the session with The Grid was started.

Universal Logging Format for AAC

The format used for the data files is called the "Universal Logging Format for AAC", which was supported by the Communication and Assistive Device Laboratory at New York State University and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. This format is designed for use on all AAC devices and as the use of Evidence Based Practise becomes more widespread, more tools and guidelines should become available for the analysis.

Interpreting the Information

There are several ways that you can analyse the information in the log files, but we recommend that you use a free program called ACQUA (Augmentative Communication QUantitative Analysis), which has been developed by Enkidu for this purpose.

If you do not wish to use ACQUA, you could use Excel or a statistical analysis package to analyse the files.

Taking it further

Please let us know if you use these tools, especially if there is anything that we could do to improve the system.

There are currently no manuals for ACQUA, although there is some online help. Enkidu have been responsive to requests for help with ACQUA in the recent past, and can be contacted directly (see the Enkidu website).

If you would like to analyse information from The Grid that is not being logged (for example, the number of switch presses), please contact us to talk about it.

Updated 22/09/04