This paper explores the various issues and values that come into play while using the Whereabouts Clock(WAC). The information in this paper is based on trials on 5 different households that used WAC for at least a month.
Whereabouts clock is a device that tells provides information about the location of the family members. The locations are broadly classified as "home", "work", "school" and "elsewhere." Members register geographical locations that correspond to each category and they are tracked using cell phones. The clock also displays SMSs sent by the members with extra information they want to share with their family. The clock chimes when a person changes location, and makes a cuckoo clock sound when it receives an SMS. The clock also has softkeys to control the volume and brightness, and a pendulum to show signal strength.
WAC gives members of the family reassurance by showing them what they already know. It also helps co-ordination which is essential in a family to make decisions and plan day-to-day activities. It also ensures connectedness and togetherness among the members.
The paper addresses the major issue of privacy that arises while designing any location determining devices. Based on the trials, it was found out that people are comfortable sharing their "vague" location with families. They were not comfortable sharing their location on a social-networking site, though."...the reactions we recieved around privacy reflect the fact that family life is built, significantly, around shared awareness, without which much of the everyday co-ordination of the family would be impossible."
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2 comments:
reads well. what can we learn from this work in relation to your project?
A lot...first of all this paper gives assurance that a clock like this will actually be accepted in families and not considered as invasion of privacy. Other than that it points out certain essential features of the clock that need to be kept in mind while designing something like this.
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