Reference Information
Title: HCI Remixed: Reflections on Works That Have Influenced the HCI Community
Editors: Thomas Erickson, David W. McDonald
Chapter 24: A Stimulated Listening Typewriter: John Gould Plays Wizard of Oz (5 Pages)
Summary
The author is interested in speech recognition technology and a paper by John Gould is what really stimulated his interest. Gould evaluated recognizers using the "Wizard of Oz" method. A subject spoke into a microphone and a skilled typist typed what the subject said with an algorithm intervening in between. Because words are sometimes slurred and are not discrete, discrete speech was simulated by pausing the subject's audio for a few seconds every time the typist entered a word.
Discussion
I'm not sure I understand what the "Wizard of Oz" method is supposed to do but it's apparently very highly praised. The amount of research that Gould did in gathering his data seems to be the most impressive thing about this article.
Chapter 25: Seeing the Hole in Space (5 Pages)
Summary
A researcher and his team at Xerox PARC checked out a project called "Hole in Space". They were stunned by what they saw. It was basically video conferencing across cities. A "hole" was opened on the sidewalk between New York and Los Angeles. Passerbys could communicate with people across the way.
Discussion
I didn't understand the "human relations as an art medium" part of the story. I understand that what Kit and Sherrie tried to do was break down alienation but I didn't see how that related to art mediums.
Chapter 26: Edward Tufte's 1 + 1 = 3 (6 Pages)
Summary
Tufte's theory is essentially that two black lines placed parallel to each other actually produce a third white line in between. The author relates this theory to his experience with the OPEN/CLOSE buttons in an elevator. In his experience, he found that two identical buttons created cognitive confusion. The "third" button was his mind trying to figure out which one to press.
Discussion
This article reminds me of "The Design of Everyday Things". It was probably the easiest article to follow that i've read so far. I really like his redesign.
Chapter 27: Typographic Space: A Fusion of Design and Technology (5 Pages)
Summary
The author talks about Typographic Space, which essentially allows typographers to design typography in a three-dimensional space. They looked into dynamically manipulating text and the effect that it had on the user. The presentation was able to convey emotional messages.
Discussion
I've always been pretty interested in typography. I have a Mac and I think that the typography choices made in the OS are awesome. As a designer, one definitely has to consider the emotional aspects of any product. In terms of Android vs. iOS, I feel like a lot of women are turned off by Android do to all the robots and "nerd" marketing. Maybe that's what they're going for, though. It seems silly to me.
Chapter 28: Making Sense of Sense Making (5 Pages)
Summary
The author (pre-web) talks about memory prosthesis and sense making. Kidd argues that we are inundated and keep large amounts of data but typically hardly ever use it. We store them in folders which force us to classify our data. Over time, classifications can change and things end up getting put where they shouldn't be and we will never find them again. Sense making refers to AI data management. She argues that AI will not help us.
Discussion
I'm not sure that I encounter the problem Kidd has with organizing data. Granted, I may never need to look at some of it ever again, but I realize its there if I do need it. I don't know that this "problem" can ever really be solved or if it is even a problem at all. Perhaps we need a pensieve like in Harry Potter to retain our memories?
Chapter 34: Revisiting an Ethnocritical Approach to HCI: Verbal Privilege and Translation (4 Pages)
Summary
The author read Arthur Krupat's book about the Ethnography of Native Americans and found many similarities to his HCI work. They both encounter the same problems and have surprisingly similar solutions.
Discussion
I found the author's approach to bettering his understanding of HCI principles as inspiring. He obviously understands the necessity of understanding the anthropological aspects of human understanding.
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