Date: Thu, 21 Aug 1997 12:29:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: { brad brace } <bbrace-AT-netcom.com>
Subject: The Reading Table (fwd)
CONCEPT
Since the nineteenth century in Holland there is
a tradition of reading tables in cafes. At a
reading table one finds an atmosphere of
pondering and reflection. At the same time it is
an excellent spot for observing people, for
meeting others to discuss all sorts of affaires.
Also, the reading table is a safe place for the
lonesome traveller to appear in public without
feeling akward.
The Reading Table for Old and New Media in De
Waag continues this tradition and expands it
with the incorporation of new media. This unique
reading table includes access to the Internet,
newsgroups, e-mail, De Waag's electronic site
and of course daily newspapers, journals and
magazines.
[Image]
Someone who hasn't been in touch with the new
media as yet, is made to feel at home at the
table; he or she is tempted to use the new media
without needing the assistance of an expert, and
gains insight in the possibilities of
information and communication of the digital
media. Also there is plenty of peace and quiet
for the reader of newspapers and magazines to
enjoy the richness of the information around
him.
[Image]
In the future most newspapers and magazines will
have their electronic equivalents. The
electronic reading table is the first one in
Europe. The historical look of Cafe-Restaurant
de Waag and the look of the reading table do
have certain similarities. The reading table is
available for everybody. It does not look like a
"cyberspace machine" but like a traditional
reading table.
Designers: Maatschappij voor Oude en Nieuwe
Media, Rolf Pixley, Janine Huizenga, Mieke
Gerritzen and Jaap Dijkman. Thanks to Ted
Byfield, Bart Haensel and Jacob Roeland.
CONTEXT
When looking ahead you see an ever expanding
electronisation of the press and the press
agents. Networks of experts use electronic media
in a growing measure. Combining the explosive
growth of the pc as an userfriendly medium and
the the popularity of the reading table, a whole
new phenomenon comes into being: an electronic
reading table.
The Reading Table operates in a local, public
space and as such has its role in the
communication- and information service to the
local public. The Reading Table for Old and New
Media is the first in its sort in Europe.
[Image]
The Reading Table for Old and New Media consists
of eight units: four new media ones and four old
media ones. In choosing the various elements and
materials, we were of course limited by what is
available on the market and the pricetags
attached to the possible solutions. The choices
made are an integral part of the design too.
The relation between these two elements has been
of major importance in designing the piece of
furniture as well as the digital interface. They
were developed in relation to each other. The
new media provide for the cooperation of the
diverse disciplines in the screen surroundings,
and they are apart of the actual fysical
product.
[Image]
In the designprocess, the creation of atmosphere
and ambiance was the guiding principle. The
operation of the computer system has been the
foundation of the interface design. The
so-called thinking process of the computer is
visualized by interaction, movement, graphics
and algorithms.
A characteristic of technological appliances
which is also true for software designs, is the
excessive amount of choices and functions
offered to the consumer simultaneously. For a
lot of users this is unneccesarily confusing.
This is the reason the Reading Table for Old and
New Media, wanting to offer public access, has
reduced the amount of options that are
constantly offered. The user gets to see the
option only when he needs to make a choice. Many
users of the table find this element a great
relieve. (One can detect this also from the
e-mail interface).
[Image]
The user's intuition is felt in the movements of
the cursor (from hesitation to fast scrolling),
for example in the news-interface. The longer
you scroll, the faster you go upwards.
Newsgroups of the Internet, unknown to many
websurvers, are presented in a graphical
surrounding which also shows the immediate
context of this area on the net. By seeing the
context, users understand the idea behind the
newsgroups en enjoys the variety of sources. It
is also made possible to jump directly form a
newsgroup to the world wide web, simply by
clicking.
[Image]
Throughout the the design of the
software-industry is left out. One doesn't see
Netscape or Eudora. De users isnt' made to look
through the eyes of an American softwareproducer
when he or she is contacting Taiwan, Paris,
Buenas Aires or the neighbour around the corner.
The local design is the entrance through wich
one gets to look at the rest of the world.
This kioskmode, on top of which several designs
can be put, has an important meaning for the
creation of cultural diversity. The internet is
not the global village, but a local to local
network. It functions in a public environment,
where time and space are present. 'The global
village', the virtual space, cyberspace, is
grounded locally.
[Image]
FUNCTIONING
The Reading Table for Old and New Media opened
on October 30th and is constantly being used.
Unexpectedly surving on the internet appears to
be a social activity giving much pleasure.
Looking at the screen threesome, or surving on
your own screen and deciding together where to
go. The social character of the use of new media
is now disturbing the intended rest at the
spaces for the old media. A different
arrangements of the old and new units, which are
detachable, will probably bring a change to this
discomfort. Visitors of a divergent nature
highly appreciate the interface. They can indeed
start immediately and are surprised by the
possibilities.
The Reading Table of Old and New Media will be
expanded in the future with new functions like
CDrom Jukebox, the Reading Table Chronicle, and
videoconferencing. Activities involving writes
and artists will also be situated at the Reading
table. From the end of november onwards the
'chipknip' (an electronic paying device for
small amounts of money) will be integrated in
the table. This method of payment is being
developed in cooperation with Rabobank and
Interpay, the chipknipdeveloper of the
cooperating banks. Soon the users of the Reading
Table will be able to pay their 'Internetmiles'
with the chipknip.
[Image]
-------------------------------------------------
) Maatschappij voor Oude en Nieuwe Media
society-AT-waag.or
http://www.waag.org/nwesite/homepag_engels.html
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