Patterns for Computer-Mediated Interaction (Wiley Software...

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 600 pages
• Published by: Wiley August 24, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0470025611
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0470025611
• Book Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 3 pounds

Product Description
Written by well-respected experts, this how-to guide provides patterns for the design of human computer human interaction (HCHI). An increasing number of applications are currently designed for use by more than one user, eg: multi-player games, interactive web sites, mobile phones, collaborative learning systems, interactive workspaces and smart environments. In these areas there is a shift from (HCI) human computer interaction to (HCHI) human computer human interaction. The role of patterns in this movement is twofold: 1^st – patterns focus on the human user of the system; 2^nd – patterns assist developers in the development process of groupware applications.

Back Cover Copy
New technologies have changed the way people interact with each other at a distance. Instead of working and socialising face-to-face, many people today collaborate remotely via the Internet. As a result, there are more and more groupware-applications and community environments. Examples include multi-player games, community sites in the new emerging Web 2.0, applications for interaction between mobile users, and highly interactive group editors. In these areas, there is a shift in focus from human computer interaction to computer-mediated human interaction.

Experts Till Schummer and Stephan Lukosch show you how to build applications to support computer-mediated interaction. To build these groupware systems, the authors use a pattern language. the role of the patterns are twofold; they focus on the human user of the system and they provide developers with the design knowledge and rationale to make expert decisions.

Depending on your role in the development process, this book will help you in different ways:

• As a software developer the patterns will show you the different functional components that need to be developed when dealing with common groupware-related problems.
• As a user the patterns will provide you with an idea of what the groupware applications look like and how the social processes change when groupware comes into play.
• As a student or researcher the pattern language documents best practices and provides links to literature in which these practices are discussed

To complement the patterns, the authors provide a running scenario based on a distributed software development team and two case studies about successful groupware applications, to show you the feasibility of the pattern approach for groupware development.

Reader Reviews
Whenever I get a new book to review, I always approach it with a mixture of anticipation, curiosity, and dread, especially given the increasing number of books about patterns and, in this case, the size -- 581 pages! When I finally found a small window and sat down with "Patterns for Computer-Mediated Interaction," I was intending to hurriedly skim as much of the text as possible to get an idea of what it was like. Several hours later, I was hooked. What a surprise this book is! Yes, it's topical. The patterns are about developing software to allow people to have the best interaction experience possible. That is where the world is headed, no doubt! The patterns in this book, however, are not just about the technical aspects of these systems, the authors also address the "socio-technical" issues that are important for the people-side of this domain. What was especially interesting to me, as a long-time "patterns fan," was the intriguing and enlightening discussion of pattern languages and the close examination of the pattern language of Christopher Alexander. I've read many essays on this topic but this presentation was very special. I learned a lot. You can't ask for more than that. I can recommend this book whole-heartedly, not only for developers in this domain but also for anyone who wants to study a model pattern language and learn more about patterns and how they work together to solve problems. Two thumbs up!