OpenMessenger: Gradual initiation of interaction for distributed workgroups

Jeremy P. Birnholtz, Carl Gutwin, Gonzalo Ramos, Mark Watson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The initiation of interaction in face-to-face environments is a gradual process, and takes place in a rich information landscape of awareness, attention, and social signals. One of the main benefits of this process is that people can be more sensitive to issues of privacy and interruption while they are moving towards interaction. However, on-line communication tools do not provide this subtlety, and often lead to unwanted interruptions. We have developed a prototype message system called OpenMessenger (OM) that adds the idea of gradual initiation of interaction to online communication. OpenMessenger provides multiple levels of awareness about people, and provides notification to those about whom information is being gathered. OpenMessenger allows people to negotiate interaction in a richer fashion than is possible with any other current messaging system. Preliminary evaluation data suggest the utility of the approach, but also shows that there are a number of issues yet to be resolved in this area.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication26th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Conference Proceedings, CHI 2008
Pages1661-1664
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Event26th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 2008 - Florence, Italy
Duration: Apr 5 2008Apr 10 2008

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Other

Other26th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 2008
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period4/5/084/10/08

Keywords

  • Awareness
  • Instant messaging
  • Privacy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

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