Barry A. T. Brown

A diary study of information capture in working life

Despite the increasing number of new devices entering the market allowing the capture or recording of information (whether it be marks on paper, scene, sound or moving images), there has been little study of when and why people want to do these kinds of activities. In an effort to systematically explore design requirements for new kinds of information capture devices, we devised a diary study of 22 individuals in a range of different jobs. The data were used to construct a taxonomy as a framework for design and analysis. Design implications are drawn from the framework and applied to the design of digital cameras and hand held scanners.

Why don't telephones have off switches? Understanding the use of everyday technologies A research note

Abstract Unlike other technologies, the telephone is unusual in that it cannot be ‘turned off’. Almost uniquely, its design does not incorporate an off switch, or when it does, it tends to be located in an inaccessible position (such as on the underside of the phone). Rather than arguing that this is a special feature of telephones, this paper argues that this is an example of designers seeing rules as generators of action, rather than resources for action. That is, a rule of phone behaviour is “when a phone rings, answer it”. However, rules do not simply generate action. We can choose when not to follow it. Support for this case has been neglected by designers, forcing individuals to appropriate other technologies to support not answering the phone. These rules of use are implicit in how we conceptualise the use of technology, and in turn, how we perform design. We suggest that designers can be aided by understanding better the nature of rule following, allowing them to design technology that supports ‘deviant’, yet equally valid modes of use.

The artful use of groupware: An ethnographic study of how Lotus Notes is used in practice

This paper uses the results from an ethnographic study of a groupware system in use to argue against two accepted views on groupware systems. Firstly, this paper argues that groupware is useful in how it supports existing everyday organizational processes, rather than as an agent of radical organizational change. Discussing the use of Lotus Notes in a British oil company shows how groupware supports mundane processes such as tracking repairs to equipment or encouraging good ideas. In this case groupware is a useful, yet unradical, technology. This is contrasted with discussions of groupware as a technology of radical change. Secondly, this paper argues that rigidity-the inability to change how a system works-can be a positive feature of a groupware system, or indeed, a very requirement of that system. A Notes system is shown being used to support accountability, in that staff used the record kept within the system to make their actions seem orderly and sensible to others. In this case the rigidity of the system was needed to convince others that the record was not being altered or fabricated. This is contrasted with those who have argued that groupware systems should be highly customisable by their users. More generally, this study uncovers the artful use of groupware systems, how they are inventively integrated into work processes by those who use them.

The future of the personal computer in the home: A research note

It is widely accepted that, if technology is to be more accepted in the home, it must change to better suit this environment. A number of researchers have argued that this change will take the form of the “post-PC world”. Rather than use home PCs, it is predicted we will use single-function “appliances”, crafted for specific purposes. As currently stated, the model is flawed. It over-emphasises usability barriers to home PC adoption, and ignores the great success of multi-function devices. More seriously, the argument is based on a model of innovative technologies competing with and then superseding existing technologies. This is a simplification-often there is a process ofbalkanisation, where the market and use of devices changes, grows, shrinks and is subdivided. One potential balkanisation of the home PC market space is discussed, producing a range of PC-type devices which better fit home environments.

Opportunities and barriers to portable document scanning

While electronic documents are increasingly prevalent in the workplace there are many texts — such as books, magazines and letters — which are not easily available in an electronic form. Since many electronic document systems depend upon documents existing exclusively, or at least predominantly, in electronic form, this suggests an opportunity for document scanning technology. However, conventional scanners are limited by their large size and relatively cumbersome usage. Using a diary-based methodology, this study investigated the use of a new portable document scanning technology. In this paper we explore the need for document scanning, and how this portable device was used by our study participants. Document scanning is shown to be a goal-driven activity — individuals did not scan just to have an electronic version of a document, but to do something with electronic documents, in particular, distributing documents to others, archiving documents and reusing documents. The small design of this device also enabled a mode of usage distinct from that of conventional flarbed scanners. Its size meant that the device was a personal, rather than shared technology; that it could be easily stored when not being used; and that the scanner could be carried to the materials to be scanned, rather than the materials brought to the scanner. We discuss this interaction with the local environment as a case of “local mobility” — this is less to do with portability but with how a devices small size can make it fit better into work environments.

Nonlinear Amplifier and Mixer Measurements with a Vector Network Analyzer

This paper describes an RF network analyzer, the HP 8753B, which has the ability to make nonlinear measurements of amplifiers and mixers. The measurements to be discussed are swept-frequency harmonic distortion, gain compression with power metal calibration, and swept-frequency conversion loss of a mixer. In addition, the block diagram of the network analyzer will be examined in order to explain how these measurements are made.

CHRONIC RESPONSE OF RAT BRAIN NOREPINEPHRINE AND SEROTONIN LEVELS TO ENDURANCE TRAINING

Norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) concentrations were determined in three areas of the rat brain following 8 wk exposure to differing physical activity and dietary regimens. Animals were divided into sedentary and exercise groups, and one-half of each received either a normal or atherogenic diet. The exercise consisted of 30 min of treadmill running, 5 days/wk, for 8 wk. Brains were weighed and sectioned into cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and remainder (midbrain), and fluorometrically analyzed for NE and 5-HT content. In most brain areas, NE and 5-HT levels were significantly greater among exercise-normal diet and exercise-fat diet compared to both sedentary groups. In the cerebral cortex, exercise-normal diet rats possessed higher levels of NE and lower concentrations of 5-HT than sedentary animals. The atherogenic diet did not affect amine levels other than 5-HT in the cortex among exercise rats. The NE results are consistent with prior research indicating its control of sympathetic function. Increased levels of 5-HT in the midbrain may be the neurotransmittal adaptation responsible for decreased appetite and enhanced weight loss following chronic endurance exercise.