Book Author: Thomas EricksonCHAPTER 1: My Vision Isn’t My Vision: Making a Career Out of
Getting Back to Where I Started
William Buxton
Microsoft Research, Toronto, Canada
Microsoft Research, Toronto, Canada
Summary
This is the first chapter/essay of the book, and it is written by William Buxton. In it, Buxton describes how he went from being an undergraduate music student to working in the field of Computer Human Interaction. After his music composition professor Istvan Anhalt gives him some incentive and motivation, Buxton resolves to going to the NRC(National Reasearch Council of Canada) to check out a new digital music machine. The next pages describe his first impressions about the machine as he starts to familiarize himself with it. Pretty soon,, as he starts composing music with the machine, he develops an affinity for the machine. After that, he takes the occasion to set the record straight about him being attributed the method of bimanual input to a graphics terminal. He cites the proper people who were already doing this. He then points out the significance of this machine, as it was cleverly desgined for naive users. As it turns out, the machine was done as part of a project to study Human Computer Interaction by KenPulfer and his team. For the rest of the essay, Buxton pays hommage to Pulfer and also explains how Pulfer's paper ("Man-Machine Interaction in Creative Applications") did not convey the critical implications of the machine, though the machine had a profound influence on Buxton.
Discussion
The choice to begin chapter 1 with this essay is quite appropriate. This first essay places Human Computer Interaction in its historical context. Through this essay we find that (HCI) is a fairly young field. When William Buxton visits the NRC, we are at the beginning of the seventies. Most importantly, we find out that people doing intial research on HCI at the time did not consider it their work as HCI
.
This is the first chapter/essay of the book, and it is written by William Buxton. In it, Buxton describes how he went from being an undergraduate music student to working in the field of Computer Human Interaction. After his music composition professor Istvan Anhalt gives him some incentive and motivation, Buxton resolves to going to the NRC(National Reasearch Council of Canada) to check out a new digital music machine. The next pages describe his first impressions about the machine as he starts to familiarize himself with it. Pretty soon,, as he starts composing music with the machine, he develops an affinity for the machine. After that, he takes the occasion to set the record straight about him being attributed the method of bimanual input to a graphics terminal. He cites the proper people who were already doing this. He then points out the significance of this machine, as it was cleverly desgined for naive users. As it turns out, the machine was done as part of a project to study Human Computer Interaction by KenPulfer and his team. For the rest of the essay, Buxton pays hommage to Pulfer and also explains how Pulfer's paper ("Man-Machine Interaction in Creative Applications") did not convey the critical implications of the machine, though the machine had a profound influence on Buxton.
Discussion
The choice to begin chapter 1 with this essay is quite appropriate. This first essay places Human Computer Interaction in its historical context. Through this essay we find that (HCI) is a fairly young field. When William Buxton visits the NRC, we are at the beginning of the seventies. Most importantly, we find out that people doing intial research on HCI at the time did not consider it their work as HCI
.
CHAPTER 4: Drawing on SketchPad: Reflections on Computer Science and HCI
Joseph A. Konstan
University of Minessota, Minneapolis, Minessota,U.S.A.
Summary
In this essay, Konstan discusses Sutherland's 1963 paper:"Sketchpad: A Man-Machine Graphical Communication sytem". He attempts to answer to skeptics: "Why should HCI belong in a computer science program?"Through his presentation of Sutherland's paper, he shows that HCI and advances in Computer Science are intertwined. He proceeds by giving four examples; the first one being about the light pen used as an input device. The major feat of the pen is its complex localization technique. It is important that usage of the pen can provide some precision when used. Konstan also points out Sutherland's awareness of people's natural need to point at things
In the second example, Konstan highlights how Sutherland had devised was aware, and anticipated rendering lines, text, and circles. Though works on algorithms are not found, Sutherland also layed out techniques for drawing circles accurately. Finally, Sutherland had font tables for display of numbers and text.
In the third example, Konstan explains how Sutherland had developed constraints for drawing shapes which is not a trivial task. His constraint language supports a full range of positions, orientations and shapes.
In the final example, Konstan claims that Konstan anticipated Object Oriented programming.
He then summarizes these examples to conclude on the importance of the HCI field in computer science.
Discussion
I think Konstan makes his point across. HCI is intertwined with Computer Science. This essay was mainly on making the apology of HCI. I think our generation takes it for granted nowadays. When a new product is coming out, we focus on the user experience as opposed to the computation power of the device. It does not matter how powerful a computer is if it caters to the wrong target people.
University of Minessota, Minneapolis, Minessota,U.S.A.
Summary
In this essay, Konstan discusses Sutherland's 1963 paper:"Sketchpad: A Man-Machine Graphical Communication sytem". He attempts to answer to skeptics: "Why should HCI belong in a computer science program?"Through his presentation of Sutherland's paper, he shows that HCI and advances in Computer Science are intertwined. He proceeds by giving four examples; the first one being about the light pen used as an input device. The major feat of the pen is its complex localization technique. It is important that usage of the pen can provide some precision when used. Konstan also points out Sutherland's awareness of people's natural need to point at things
In the second example, Konstan highlights how Sutherland had devised was aware, and anticipated rendering lines, text, and circles. Though works on algorithms are not found, Sutherland also layed out techniques for drawing circles accurately. Finally, Sutherland had font tables for display of numbers and text.
In the third example, Konstan explains how Sutherland had developed constraints for drawing shapes which is not a trivial task. His constraint language supports a full range of positions, orientations and shapes.
In the final example, Konstan claims that Konstan anticipated Object Oriented programming.
He then summarizes these examples to conclude on the importance of the HCI field in computer science.
Discussion
I think Konstan makes his point across. HCI is intertwined with Computer Science. This essay was mainly on making the apology of HCI. I think our generation takes it for granted nowadays. When a new product is coming out, we focus on the user experience as opposed to the computation power of the device. It does not matter how powerful a computer is if it caters to the wrong target people.
CHAPTER 5: The Mouse, the Demo, and the Big Idea
Wendy Ju
Stanford University, Stanford, California, U.S.A.
Summary
In this paper, Wendy Ju talks about Doug Engelbart's oNLine System(NLS) demo video introducing the mouse that Engelbart and Bill English invented. Ju mainly discusses how the video had a profound impact on her, and how it was instrumental in determinining her career path. Wendy also describes a period of her life at MIT as a graduate student where she was facing the "demo-or-die" culture. She describes how this lead to her doubting herself, doubting her project, and growing weary of the "demo culture". That's where she recalls Engelbart's demo and watches it again. She then talks about how Engelbart's demo was no longer popular soon after its presentation because at the time, the mouse was not one of the "hot topic" areas during that period. Ju also explains how Engelbart was really trying to present a new approach to augmented reality, but did not receive approbation. Ju finally draws a conclusion.
Discussion
My main take from reading this essay is the importance of throwing out one's ideas out there regardless of whether academia in on the same page. I was surprised to find out about how the mouse did not initially get support. It is quite shocking considering that a computer is not a computer if it does not have a mouth.
Stanford University, Stanford, California, U.S.A.
Summary
In this paper, Wendy Ju talks about Doug Engelbart's oNLine System(NLS) demo video introducing the mouse that Engelbart and Bill English invented. Ju mainly discusses how the video had a profound impact on her, and how it was instrumental in determinining her career path. Wendy also describes a period of her life at MIT as a graduate student where she was facing the "demo-or-die" culture. She describes how this lead to her doubting herself, doubting her project, and growing weary of the "demo culture". That's where she recalls Engelbart's demo and watches it again. She then talks about how Engelbart's demo was no longer popular soon after its presentation because at the time, the mouse was not one of the "hot topic" areas during that period. Ju also explains how Engelbart was really trying to present a new approach to augmented reality, but did not receive approbation. Ju finally draws a conclusion.
Discussion
My main take from reading this essay is the importance of throwing out one's ideas out there regardless of whether academia in on the same page. I was surprised to find out about how the mouse did not initially get support. It is quite shocking considering that a computer is not a computer if it does not have a mouth.
CHAPTER 18: Observing Collaboration: Group-Centered Design
Saul Greenberg
University of Calgary,Calgary,Canada
Summary
In this essay, Saul Greenberg mainly presents a paper by John Tang named: "Listening, Drawing, and Gesturing in Design: A Study of the Use of Shared Workspaces by Design Teams". Greenberg goes through a set of examples to illustrate how his view of groupware design changed radically. He also talks about his introduction to the notion of "group-centered" design. Greeenberg also presents some observations performed by Sara Bly. Bly's observations eventually lea to an understanding of how interaction through a drawing surface could influence a group's productivity, effectiveness, and attention. Building on this, John Tang made studies of his own on small design groups. He observes differences based on orientation of table-top group paper, proximity of individuals, simultaneous access, and system building.
Discussion
This essay reminded me of chapter 4. Indeed, we see how John Tang's method of observing group collaboration via groupware led to aiding Greenberg in establishing his own methodology, and coming up with his publications.
University of Calgary,Calgary,Canada
Summary
In this essay, Saul Greenberg mainly presents a paper by John Tang named: "Listening, Drawing, and Gesturing in Design: A Study of the Use of Shared Workspaces by Design Teams". Greenberg goes through a set of examples to illustrate how his view of groupware design changed radically. He also talks about his introduction to the notion of "group-centered" design. Greeenberg also presents some observations performed by Sara Bly. Bly's observations eventually lea to an understanding of how interaction through a drawing surface could influence a group's productivity, effectiveness, and attention. Building on this, John Tang made studies of his own on small design groups. He observes differences based on orientation of table-top group paper, proximity of individuals, simultaneous access, and system building.
Discussion
This essay reminded me of chapter 4. Indeed, we see how John Tang's method of observing group collaboration via groupware led to aiding Greenberg in establishing his own methodology, and coming up with his publications.
CHAPTER 20: Taking Articulation Work Seriously
Geraldine Fitzpatrick
University fo Sussex, Brighton, U.K.
Summary
CHAPTER 23: Video, Toys, and Beyond Being There
Brian K. Smith
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Geraldine Fitzpatrick
University fo Sussex, Brighton, U.K.
Summary
In her essay,Geraldine Fitzpatrick introduces the paper called: "Taking CSCW seriously: Supporting Articulation Work" written by Schmidt and Bannon. She presents this paper as a the point of emergence of CSCW (computer-supportied cooperative work). Due to the diverse interpretation and conceptualization of the field, Fitzpatrick explains Schmidt and Bannon pursue of defining CSCW under one conceptualization: "cooperative work". She then talks about Anslem Strauss from whom the notion of "Articulation Work" emerged. She then relates how Schmidt and Bannon's work relates to the notion of ubiquitous computing.
Discussion
This essay was a bit more technical to read. In it, Fitzpatrick walks us through her proces of better understanding CSCW. The main individuals she metions are Schmidt and Bannon and Strauss.
Discussion
This essay was a bit more technical to read. In it, Fitzpatrick walks us through her proces of better understanding CSCW. The main individuals she metions are Schmidt and Bannon and Strauss.
CHAPTER 23: Video, Toys, and Beyond Being There
Brian K. Smith
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Summary
In this paper, Brian Smith recounts the final moments of his mother's life. Constrained to staying in the hospital, his mother's only method of seeing his newborn daughter was via pictures and videos sent. Smith also talks about how visits between his mother and his daugther were enhanced because of his daughter's sing-along doll. He uses these two illustrations to emphasize the emotional dimension of interaction with technology. He also talks about the paper called: "Beyond being there" by Holland and Stornetta.
Discussion
I am in agreement with the writer's claim of an emotional aspect to technology. I can relate to a certain extent to his story. In the late nineties my sibling was born, and at the time I was halfway across the world. The only way I could see her was via a picture sent in an e-mail. Though only a picture, the reaction of the rest of the family when we first opened the picture was very special. I still have vivid memory of that moment.
In this paper, Brian Smith recounts the final moments of his mother's life. Constrained to staying in the hospital, his mother's only method of seeing his newborn daughter was via pictures and videos sent. Smith also talks about how visits between his mother and his daugther were enhanced because of his daughter's sing-along doll. He uses these two illustrations to emphasize the emotional dimension of interaction with technology. He also talks about the paper called: "Beyond being there" by Holland and Stornetta.
Discussion
I am in agreement with the writer's claim of an emotional aspect to technology. I can relate to a certain extent to his story. In the late nineties my sibling was born, and at the time I was halfway across the world. The only way I could see her was via a picture sent in an e-mail. Though only a picture, the reaction of the rest of the family when we first opened the picture was very special. I still have vivid memory of that moment.
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