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Too Much Information – Context-Aware Applications

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the clippy-on-steroids dept.

ChelleChelle writes with a link to IBM research on the limits to and lessons learned from two context-aware computing projects: "As the researchers Moran and Dourish put it, 'Context awareness is fine in theory. The research issue is figuring out how to get it to work in practice.' The article lays out two attempts by IBM to do just this. Grapevine and Rendezvous are services offered to IBM employees as a means of looking into the promise and perils of context-aware computing. From these two experimental services the authors have drawn several valuable lessons." From the article: "What computer scientists commonly call context often has more to do with technology than with work situations, people, or frames of mind."

5 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. In the voice of HAL.... by ReidMaynard · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dave ... you may want to close your bathrobe before the video conference ...

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    Political discussion for a new world

  2. Re:Information Overload... by Apocalypse111 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Alternatly, find customers that are more familiar with technological advancements since the mid 90's (if not earlier - Wikipedia didn't have information on the date of origin of context menu's). Here's how to find them:

    • Ask them if they have any experience with 1960's era tape-driven Honeywell mainframes.
    • Ask them if they know what an iPod is.

    If they answered no to the first and yes to the second, then you'll probably be fine.
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  3. Re:Computer-arrange social gatherings by Apocalypse111 · · Score: 5, Funny

    According to my Blackberry, I've got 5 minutes free next April in which we could discuss possibilities for socializing.

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  4. What they need... by Hahnsoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    What they need is some sort of motion sensor that detects when the case is jostled, so I can provide feedback to the program in the form of a swift steel-toed boot to the DVD-ROM/drink holder. That'll give it some "context".

    1. Re:What they need... by Hahnsoo · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hah! Or, it can simply reboot the laptop. You can call it "Etch a Sketch"!