Our daily work in the information society relies on creating, editing and collecting
different information objects. Without additional presentation mechanisms these activities
of particular knowledge workers remain hidden in the underlying IT systems.
The resulting lack of awareness can lead to inefficient coordination as well as
to the duplication of work in the worst case. Information Radiators are large displays
providing context-specific pieces of information in a semi-public setting where
people can see it while working or passing-by. They have a long history originating
from simple printed posters for agile project management and software development,
over interactive versions on large touch displays in the early 2000s to complex
situated sociotechnically integrated multi-user multi-device interaction spaces
for knowledge workers in recent years. By augmenting the physical working environment with peripherally recognizable digital content Interactive Information Radiators (IIRs) can simplify information sharing "out-of-the-box", foster awareness
and socialization, create serendipity and enhance collaboration. In this report we
present CommunityMirrors as one potential solution to this problem. CommunityMirrors are an example for information radiators and discussed in detail within
this work. We describe the start of the project and elaborate on the work done in the past 20+ years covering different phases from first experiments to setting up a longterm deployment and providing support for evaluation in this deployment.
«Our daily work in the information society relies on creating, editing and collecting
different information objects. Without additional presentation mechanisms these activities
of particular knowledge workers remain hidden in the underlying IT systems.
The resulting lack of awareness can lead to inefficient coordination as well as
to the duplication of work in the worst case. Information Radiators are large displays
providing context-specific pieces of information in a semi-public setti...
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