Microblog #3, "HCI Remixed Chapters 1,4,5,18,20,23

Summary
The chapters each comprised an essay on an HCI related topic. 1,4, and 5 were largely historical, while 18, 20, and 23 were on the impact of technology on humans interacting with other humans.

1 was written by a William Buxton from Microsoft research. It detailed how a music machine led him to jump fields from music to HCI.

4 was by Joesph Konstan, University of Minnesota. It was about SketchPad, an early and resource intensive sketching program. Konstan discusses the design of the device and its influence on later software of that type, which he sees as positive.

In 5, Wendy Ju of Stanford University discusses the impact that an early demo video of a mouse and her reflections had on her. It's worth noting that the first the chapters all deal with devices that antedate 1972.

In 18, Saul Greenberg of the University of Calgary writes about the effect of shared workspace layout on group dynamics. He also discusses directions he thinks future moves in that field could take.

In 20, Geraldine Fitzpatrick of the University of Sussex discusses the impact of computing on cooperative work. Specifically, she looks initially at the work of a 1992 paper by K. Schmidt and L. Bannon and touches on modern and future workplace techniques in light of it.

In 23, Brian Smith of Penn State discusses using computers not to facilitate long distance communication by to enhance face-to-face communication. He gives the example of IMing during a meeting.

Discussion
The historical context was, as such things are, pretty interesting. That sort of thing always provides perspective.

1's biggest contribution, I feel, was to illustrate how many ideas in computing predated mainstream implementation by some time. Well designed interfaces do not require high technology.

For 4, I found the detail that stuck was using highlighted pixels instead of physical contact. Simple and elegant but non-obvious solution to a problem. I wonder if that would work on today's pen interfaces.

In 5, I think the point the author was really trying to get across was the value of demos. She makes her case well, but I think lays on the nostalgia a little bit too strongly.

 The most thought provoking essay, however, was the fourth (#18) which dealt with the effect of whiteboard paper vs. table paper. I don't know if it leads to any useful conclusions, but it was interesting.

Paper 20's biggest weakness, I think, was diving really heavily into jargon (possibly also excessive use of quotation marks). I do not feel confident that I have correctly understood her paper. However, I agree that seeing the future of this field will be interesting.

Paper 23 was probably objectively the best of the bunch, even if 4 struck a little closer to areas I have experience with. The IMs point was very well made. I wonder how close Mr. (Dr.? paper doesn't make it clear) would consider two people with a high quality voice channel both logged into a virtual environment to face-to-face communication.