[vslist] Whats wrong with current experimental lab software?

[C4Scroller@aol.com]

As part of a research review of visual search, I am considering developing a generic experiment generation and data collection environment. 

I have two questions for anyone who has used existing 'off the shelf' software of this kind:

(1) What, if any, are the recurrent limitations/barriers you encounter with using this software? (Be it technical, usability, lack of documentation, etc).

(2) Would the ability to perform experiments over the Internet be of real value? (I.e. registered users, or not, can log on and undertake the experiment you have designed, their results collected automatically). What would such a system need to require or enforce to make it useful?

Responses to these queries and any other comments appreciated.

Regards,
C. Ayliffe