"Computers as Theatre" - a Book (p)Review

Created by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on June 14, 2008

At the urging of two very well informed colleagues (Sarah & Hall, who are more involved in the arts than I am) I've started reading this 1991 book by Brenda Laurel.

Given that the IT horizon is only 3-5 years off - this book was written a very long time ago (e.g. pre-our web.) Still, I'm amazed by how relevant are the issues presented! This gives me a clue that the book is going to be very much worth reading.

I'm sufficiently excited that I'm writing this before I've finished even 20% - so this can't be a "review" (although I have my suspicions that a lot of book reviews are written after reading less than 20% :-) - so I'm suggesting that I can fairly call this a Book Preview.

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The "Flying Wedge"!

Submitted by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on June 19, 2008 - 5:57pm.

Hal was hoping that I'd read about the "Wedge" really soon.

Well, I did that a couple of days ago - and found it both interesting, and also it was interesting that Hal and I differed in how we perceived the exposition.

Brenda Laurel first discusses the concepts quite thoroughly, and then introduces the term "Wedge" in conjunction with a diagram.

I said to myself, okay - that's a nice representation of what I've already understood from previous pages.

Hal thought the term and diagram were a very important part of the exposition.

This may be an illustration of "learning styles". I know, from extensive discussion of the years, that Hal is more visually oriented than I am - and I think that I'm more text oriented than average.

Of course all of this is relevant to the consideration of human-computer-interfaces! :-)

P.S. I may say something more about the Wedge in my Review.

Finished the book - Highly Recommended

Submitted by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on October 5, 2008 - 6:53pm.

It's a "wow" experience - not only because it anticipated so much so early, but that it does a great job of dealing with HCI (Human Computer Interface) issues in a different (theatrical) setting - and, I think, provides a very useful perspective.

It's a short book and I wish more application programmers/designers would read it! :-)

		"Computers as Theatre" - a Book (p)Review Created by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on June 14, 2008 At the urging of two very well informed colleagues (Sarah & Hall, who are more involved in the arts than I am) I've started reading this 1991 book by Brenda Laurel. Given that the IT horizon is only 3-5 years off - this book was written a very long time ago (e.g. pre-our web.) Still, I'm amazed by how relevant are the issues presented! This gives me a clue that the book is going to be very much worth reading. I'm sufficiently excited that I'm writing this before I've finished even 20% - so this can't be a "review" (although I have my suspicions that a lot of book reviews are written after reading less than 20% :-) - so I'm suggesting that I can fairly call this a Book Preview. Book Review \| HCI \| User Interface Henry's blog Login or register to post comments 523 reads The "Flying Wedge"! Submitted by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on June 19, 2008 - 5:57pm. Hal was hoping that I'd read about the "Wedge" really soon. Well, I did that a couple of days ago - and found it both interesting, and also it was interesting that Hal and I differed in how we perceived the exposition. Brenda Laurel first discusses the concepts quite thoroughly, and then introduces the term "Wedge" in conjunction with a diagram. I said to myself, okay - that's a nice representation of what I've already understood from previous pages. Hal thought the term and diagram were a very important part of the exposition. This may be an illustration of "learning styles". I know, from extensive discussion of the years, that Hal is more visually oriented than I am - and I think that I'm more text oriented than average. Of course all of this is relevant to the consideration of human-computer-interfaces! :-) P.S. I may say something more about the Wedge in my Review. Login or register to post comments Finished the book - Highly Recommended Submitted by Henry E. Schaffer (North Carolina State University) on October 5, 2008 - 6:53pm. It's a "wow" experience - not only because it anticipated so much so early, but that it does a great job of dealing with HCI (Human Computer Interface) issues in a different (theatrical) setting - and, I think, provides a very useful perspective. It's a short book and I wish more application programmers/designers would read it! :-) Login or register to post comments
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