Link

John C. Tang
Nicole Yankelovich
James Begole
Max Van Kleek
Francis Li
Janak Bhalodia
All at Sun Microsystems, Palo Alto

Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human factors in computing systems
Seattle, Washington, United States
Pages: 221 - 228
Year of Publication: 2001
ISBN:1-58113-327-8

Abstract
We explored the use of awareness information to facilitate communication by developing a series of prototypes. The ConNexus prototype integrates awareness information, instant messaging, and other communication channels in an interface that runs on a desktop computer. The Awarenex prototype extends that functionality to wireless handheld devices, such as a Palm. A speech interface also enables callers to make use of the awareness information over the telephone. While the prototypes offer similar functionality, the interfaces reflect the different design affordances and use context of each platform. We discuss the design implications of providing awareness information on devices with varying interface and network characteristics.

My Disucssion
A beautoful straightforward paper about practical design when extending a desktop application to a mobile space. Gives thought and consideration about how people will end up using the application, what information they want from it, and what is appropriate to show. Yes, the dodmain is not very data-intense -- a contact list fits nicely on a small screen -- but the choices of when to show all the information about a contact and when to show just some is clearly through out, and the devices are exmined in their context well.

It is interesting to see how only some of these features are migrating to mobile phones with the Wireless Village Presence capabilities, and how some is staying on the desktop, thus creating a fracturing that this paper shows to be detrimental.