ucalgary.ca
Notification Collage
posting ephemeral information onto a distributed group surface
The Notification Collage (NC) is a groupware system where distributed and co-located colleagues comprising a small community post media elements onto a real-time collaborative surface that all members can see. The NC randomly places incoming assorted media on its surface: live video from desktop cameras; editable sticky notes; slide shows displaying a series of digital photos, among others.
The NC can become a rich forum for discussions in the community it represents. Video on the NC lets everyone 'see each other' via the internet, while the availability of postit notes frequently results in both formal and informal discussions about various topics. Not requiring direct attention, the NC generally resides on a large public display, or even a secondary personal display that can be turned transparent: this allows work to be performed beneath it while still being able to observe changes to the collage.
Primary Investigators
Michael Rounding (MSc research)
Saul Greenberg (Supervisor)
Milestones
- System used for several years in our research laboratory
- System used as the basis for a tech-transfer grant project
Current Status
- Project completed
- See Community Bar project for the next generation work around this concept