Embodiments in Mixed Presence Groupware

Anthony Tang. (2005). Embodiments in Mixed Presence Groupware.

Abstract

In this thesis, I define and explore Mixed Presence Groupware (MPG): software that connects distributed groups of collaborators together, allowing collocated individuals to work together on a shared display while simultaneously working with other, remote groups in the same digital workspace. In my explorations of this new class of groupware, I articulate a problem unique to MPG workspaces called presence disparity, where collaborators focus their collaborative energies toward collocated collaborators while ignoring their remote counterparts. I propose that the root cause of this problem is the poor representational properties of embodiments for remote collaborators, and develop a theory about embodiments for MPG workspaces. I present a video-based embodiment technique called VideoArms that addresses the presence disparity problem by following the design guidelines set out by the theory. Finally, I evaluate this embodiment technique, demonstrating and critiquing its effectiveness in mitigating presence disparity.

Materials

PDF File (http://hcitang.org/papers/2005-mscthesis-tang.pdf)

BibTeX

@mastersthesis{tang2005mscthesis,
  address = {2500 University Dr NW, Calgary AB, Canada T2N 1N4},
  author = {Tang, Anthony},
  date-modified = {2014-01-17 05:24:45 +0000},
  month = jan,
  school = {University of Calgary},
  title = {Embodiments in Mixed Presence Groupware},
  pdfurl = {http://hcitang.org/papers/2005-mscthesis-tang.pdf},
  type = {thesis},
  year = {2005}
}