Reference Information
Title: HCI Remixed
Editors: Thomas Erickson, David McDonald
Publisher: MIT Press, December 2007
Chapter 24: A Simulated Listening Typewriter: John Gould Plays Wizard of Oz
Summary
This chapter discusses the work of John Gould and speech recognition systems. At the time, speech recognition systems were not very effective, but some people wanted to know if they could be useful once technology could produce an efficient system. Therefore, John Gould invented the "Wizard of Oz" technique, whereby a hidden human manipulates the computer interface of a system without the knowledge of the subjects using the system. This allowed for the usefulness of such a non-existent system to be evaluated for future purposes.
Discussion
I find it rather amusing that many people were convinced that it was actually a computer system instead of a human pretending to be a computer system. I also find it interesting that when this original study was done, it was shown that a "listening typewriter" program could be useful; however, in today's society where most people prefer typing rather than dictating, it may no longer be useful or even wanted.
Chapter 25: Seeing the Hole in Space
Summary
Video-mediated communication is described based on an art experiment called a "Hole in Space," whereby video and audio were projected in two opposite cities across the United States depicting the scene of the other place. This particular event demonstrated that media space could be a way to construct a different community than is normally possible, and that events are an essential element of mediated communication.
Discussion
I find it odd that someone would think of portraying the images from a far-away city in shop windows, but I find the reactions of the people that witnessed it fascinating, in that they felt compelled to communicate with the people on the "other side." What is really interesting is how the author was able to relate this to HCI, illustrating how video-mediated communication could be helpful.
Chapter 26: Edward Tuft's 1+1=3
Summary
Edward Tuft's "1+1=3" analogy described that when two lines are drawn, a third space comes into being, the space between the two lines, making there appear to be more clutter than there actually is. The author relates this analogy to interaction design, describing that cognitive clutter occurs, but can be fixed with layering and separation. The clutter often causes confusion, so to fix it, either the clutter can be reduced, or the choice presented can be eliminated entirely. To decide which, the benefit of functionality must be weighed with the cost of the clutter.
Discussion
The author's images and descriptions of confusing elevator buttons helped me to visualize the problem he was discussing and the ways in which it could potentially be fixed. Figuring out how to lessen confusion by removing clutter or choice seems like a simple idea when presented with such an example.
Chapter 27: Typographic Space: A Fusion of Design and Technology
Summary
This chapter described typography, or the use of text, as graphical designers use it. It described a research system that allowed three-dimensional representation of typography that led to this being incorporated into interaction design and HCI. The addition of time and motion as design variables led to more possibilities and possible effects of typography, such as conveying emotional content such as is now used in advertising.
Discussion
I found this chapter hard to get through and properly understand, however the discussion of moving text currently being used in advertising helped to convey the message. Text is often moving in certain ways that we connect to emotions or perceive as conveying some sort of message, which is most noticeable in advertising, where moving or flashing text is often used to grab your attention.
Chapter 28: Making Sense of Sense Making
Summary
This chapter discusses a paper written in 1994 that presented two claims about computers: 1) that computers are mainly used for passive storage information that's not useful, and 2) computers are not good at the process of making sense of the information we encounter. The author discusses how these claims relate to computers today, stating that we are now passively storing more; however, we have new tools to help us access this data. In addition, the author describes that there still needs to be more support to help make sense of all the information computers can access.
Discussion
The comparison of claims made in 1994 and how they still apply today was interesting, although I believe that much of those claims is no longer pertinent. For example, yes, computers store huge amounts of data (just think of Google or Facebook!), but a lot of this data is being analyzed for research purposes or being accessed by users so it is not entirely passive. In addition, while computers do tend to lack support for making sense of the information, a lot of people are now being better informed on how to access and use useful information available via computer.
Chapter 34: Revising an Ethnocritical Approach to HCI: Verbal Privilege and Translation
Summary
The author analyzes a book by Arthur Krupat that presents new ways of thinking about issues in ethics, politics, and epistemology that HCI workers have to face when working with users with less organizational power. He compares an HCI worker to an ethnohistorian, since they both must translate between worlds of less powerful (users) and more powerful (development team). He then presents Krupat's principles for understanding and working with a different culture: multiculturalism in education, poly-vocal activity in relationships, and heterogeneity as a norm in ethics.
Discussion
I like that the author addressed the need to work with the users and understand their way of thinking by describing the work of ethnohistorians with Native Americans. It presented a good analogy that makes the need to understand seem more important.
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