BEN, or Breakable Experiemental Network, is a mix of network visualization and multi-touch technology on a very large screen. The project aims to provide better network monitoring and management tools in a user-friendly, intuitive and efficient manner. It is also looks like great tool for learning about network engineering.
Hands-on networking!
BEN is part of the GENI project.
The music in the video is by Crystal Castles and Black Moth Super Rainbow.
Cross-posted: The World Is My Interface
Oct 15, 2009
Microsoft's Future Productivity Vision Video: Original Version, Parody Version (Sarcastic Gamer)
Take a look at these videos on The World Is My Interface blog:
Microsoft's Future Interface Visions, Original Version, Parody Version
Microsoft's Future Interface Visions, Original Version, Parody Version
10/GUI: Another Twist to Multi-touch Interface and Interaction
10/GUI from C. Miller on Vimeo.
I came across a link to this video via Experientia's Putting People First blog post about MG Siegler's TechCrunch post, 10/GUI: One Very Slick Desktop Multi-Touch Concept (Video). This video was created by R. Clayton Miller, and the video above is a concept video, food for further thought and discussion.
I've written about the need for more appropriate form factors in the past, and the idea that Miller proposes is quite intriguing, since I've toyed with the idea of using something like a flexible mouse pad as an adaptive interface for students who have problems with fine-motor control, limiting their ability to use a mouse, keyboard, or even some of the adaptive switches that are available.
(It is interesting to note that Siegler's blog post was written on 10/13/09, and as I write this post on 10/15/09, it has 92 comments and 460 tweets. My guess this is a hot topic, especially now that HP has released new versions of the all-in-one HP TouchSmart PC).
Siegler discusses Michael Arrington's 10/12/09 post, Why Desktop Touch Screens Don't Really Work Well For Humans. Arrington's post discusses the reasons why he's not happy with the TouchSmart, because the desktop on which most people use it requires them to keep their hands up on the screen, above the heart, which can be fatiguing.
I have an HP TouchSmart, and I switch back and forth, depending on what I'm doing. I didn't think of this before, but I have a very adjustable chair that I raise up when I use my hands on the touch screen. Without thinking, I've made the appropriate adjustment. Not everyone has the luxury of a fancy adjustable deskchair!
From what I can tell, Miller is focused on how multi-touch technology can support the work or pleasure of just one person, which is still how many people interact with their computers. What is needed is more thought about ways this technology could support two or more people working together. My HP TouchSmart works well with two people, even when when running single-touch programs. But it is better when it runs duo-touch enabled programs!
Interactive Motion Graphics Showreel from Filmview Services - great content!
Here is a showreel from Filmview Services that simulates how tech-usability in an interactive gesture/touch world should be!
Here is a quote from the Filmview Services blog:
What Are Screen Graphics?
"...So it works out more cost effective for the films to actually have someone put the graphics on the screens for real. It also greatly enhances the performance of the actors. You only have to watch any of the Star Wars Eps 1-3 to see how wooden acting is when you don’t actually know what is in front of you. Actors love to be able push buttons and bang touch screens during their scenes. Having to actually do it in a certain order can stretch their capabilities mind you, and I am pretty gob smacked at how absolutely computer illiterate some of them are. Don’t they use email?
Anyway, due to this diminished ability to hit and bang things in any certain order, it is our job to make it impossible to mess things up. That’s why they are all genius typers. We make it so they can type any old thing and the letters still come out the way they are meant to each time. We also put little locking codes into our programming so they can’t accidentally escape the graphic mid job. It’s amazing how many of them can type the Esc button when they are meant to be spelling LOGIN."
Thanks, Tim!
SOMEWHAT RELATED
Coincidentally, when I was visiting the NUI-Group forums this morning, I came across a link to Jakob Nielsen's "Usability in the Movies -- Top 10 Bloopers", which are worth taking a look at. I've posted the list, but you'll need to go to Nielson's web page to read the descriptions. You'll smile.
1. The Hero Can Immediately Use Any UI
2. Time Travelers Can Use Current Designs
3. The 3D UI
4. Integration is Easy, Data Interoperates
5. Access Denied/Access Granted
6. Big Fonts
7. Star Trek's Talking Computer
8. Remote Manipulators (Waldo Controls)
9. You've Got Mail is Always Good News
10."This is Unix, It's Easy"
Here is a quote from the Filmview Services blog:
What Are Screen Graphics?
"...So it works out more cost effective for the films to actually have someone put the graphics on the screens for real. It also greatly enhances the performance of the actors. You only have to watch any of the Star Wars Eps 1-3 to see how wooden acting is when you don’t actually know what is in front of you. Actors love to be able push buttons and bang touch screens during their scenes. Having to actually do it in a certain order can stretch their capabilities mind you, and I am pretty gob smacked at how absolutely computer illiterate some of them are. Don’t they use email?
Anyway, due to this diminished ability to hit and bang things in any certain order, it is our job to make it impossible to mess things up. That’s why they are all genius typers. We make it so they can type any old thing and the letters still come out the way they are meant to each time. We also put little locking codes into our programming so they can’t accidentally escape the graphic mid job. It’s amazing how many of them can type the Esc button when they are meant to be spelling LOGIN."
Thanks, Tim!
SOMEWHAT RELATED
Coincidentally, when I was visiting the NUI-Group forums this morning, I came across a link to Jakob Nielsen's "Usability in the Movies -- Top 10 Bloopers", which are worth taking a look at. I've posted the list, but you'll need to go to Nielson's web page to read the descriptions. You'll smile.
1. The Hero Can Immediately Use Any UI
2. Time Travelers Can Use Current Designs
3. The 3D UI
4. Integration is Easy, Data Interoperates
5. Access Denied/Access Granted
6. Big Fonts
7. Star Trek's Talking Computer
8. Remote Manipulators (Waldo Controls)
9. You've Got Mail is Always Good News
10."This is Unix, It's Easy"
Oct 14, 2009
Near Interaction Multi-touch Tables and Displays: London College of Fashion & More
Near Interaction is a company based in Lisbon, Portugal, and London, England. They are a team of interaction and media designers, focsuing on interactive physical and digital installations. Here is a sample of their work:
Information about the Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 from NearInteraction's Vimeo site:
"The London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 displays six multi-touch tables with integrated object recognition to unveil the 570 student portfolios. From a wide choice displayed on the three walls, visitors can make a selection of their preferred cards. Activating once a card is placed on the tables, visitors can move, zoom and rotate by touching the surface of the table a variety of portfolio images representing the chosen student...London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 was designed and produced by NearInteraction in association with Paul Albert and John Nussey."
London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009
NearInteraction at the London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
Tangible Multi-touch Connectivity
Tangible Multi-touch Connectivity from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
"As part of Future Labs - Visual Experiences of the Future at FPC, Tangible Multi-touch Connectivity explores the multi-touch gestural concepts of touch to activate, pinch to enlarge and scroll to select within a multi-user environment, combined with the interaction concepts of user-identity, networks, and behavioural lifespan through a metaphorical game."
NearInteraction Playtecture: Physical + Digital + Kids + Play
NearInteraction at Habitar Portugal | Playtecture from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
Interesting, evolving work!
Information about the Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 from NearInteraction's Vimeo site:
"The London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 displays six multi-touch tables with integrated object recognition to unveil the 570 student portfolios. From a wide choice displayed on the three walls, visitors can make a selection of their preferred cards. Activating once a card is placed on the tables, visitors can move, zoom and rotate by touching the surface of the table a variety of portfolio images representing the chosen student...London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 was designed and produced by NearInteraction in association with Paul Albert and John Nussey."
London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009
NearInteraction at the London College of Fashion Graduate Exhibition 2009 from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
Tangible Multi-touch Connectivity
Tangible Multi-touch Connectivity from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
NearInteraction Playtecture: Physical + Digital + Kids + Play
NearInteraction at Habitar Portugal | Playtecture from nearinteraction on Vimeo.
Interesting, evolving work!
Dan Pink's Ted Talk "Surprising Science of Motivation"
Dan Pink is the author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future". He also is the author of DRiVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us".
In this talk, Dan Pink talks about research in the behavioral/social sciences that has been ignored by the business world. There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business actually does. Carrots and sticks are so 20th Century!
What really matters is the right-brain, creative, conceptual kinds of abilities, according to Pink. We are all dealing with the "candle problem". Old ways just won't, and don't work. What worries Pink, is that too mahny organizations are making decisions based on outdated, unexamined assumptions. The solution is not to do more of the wrong things, but to encourage autonomy, mastery, and purpose (in the service of something bigger than ourselves.) Do we want compliance, or engagement?
In this talk, Dan Pink talks about research in the behavioral/social sciences that has been ignored by the business world. There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business actually does. Carrots and sticks are so 20th Century!
What really matters is the right-brain, creative, conceptual kinds of abilities, according to Pink. We are all dealing with the "candle problem". Old ways just won't, and don't work. What worries Pink, is that too mahny organizations are making decisions based on outdated, unexamined assumptions. The solution is not to do more of the wrong things, but to encourage autonomy, mastery, and purpose (in the service of something bigger than ourselves.) Do we want compliance, or engagement?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)