In this paper we describe The Pond, a system used to search for and visualise data elements on an engaging tabletop display. The Pond uses methods of unencumbered interaction and audio feedback to allow users to investigate data elements, and supports shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration with the physical Pond artefact mediating the collaboration between those people gathered around it. The user interface is based on an ecosystem metaphor, presenting data elements in the form of shoals of aquatic creatures inside a virtual 3D pond. The Pond is an interactive system offering an appealing and novel way to search for and interchange information. We describe the motivation and design choices behind The Pond, the system as it stands today, details of its implementation, and observations from a study of The Pond in use.
In the paper we propose a robust approach towards context dependant information modelling supporting trustworthy information exchange. Shortcomings and challenges of present approaches of syntax-based information modelling in dynamic context are identified. Basic principles are introduced and used to provide a robust approach towards meeting some of those challenges. The approach has a main aim of reducing brittleness of context dependant information and enabling intelligible information handling in distributed environments. The application domain is Emergency Service Centres, where the distributed handling of emergency calls in life critical situations of future change is in focus. The main contribution in the paper is a principled approach of use of abbreviations in dynamic emergency situations. Points of interaction for coordination are introduced as a tool supporting mappings of abbreviations between different contexts.
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