https://doi.org/10.18726/2025_1
Abstract
Our daily work in the information society relies on creating, editing and collecting different information objects. Without additional presentation mechanisms these activities of particular knowledge workers remain hidden in the underlying IT sys-tems. The resulting lack of awareness can lead to inefficient coordination as well as to the duplication of work in the worst case. Information Radiators are large displays providing context-specific pieces of information in a semi-public setting where people can see it while working or passing-by. They have a long history originating from simple printed posters for agile project management and software development, over interactive versions on large touch displays in the early 2000s to complex situated sociotechnically integrated multi-user multi-device interaction spaces for knowledge workers in recent years. By augmenting the physical working environment with pe-ripherally recognizable digital content Interactive Information Radiators (IIRs) can simplify information sharing „out-of-the-box“, foster awareness and socialization, create serendipity and enhance collaboration. In this report we present Communi-tyMirrors as one potential solution to this problem. CommunityMirrors are an example for information radiators and discussed in detail within this work. We describe the start of the project and elaborate on the work done in the past 20+ years covering different phases from first experiments to setting up a long-term deployment and providing support for evaluation in this deployment.
Keywords
HCI, challenges, public displays, knowledge management, knowledge worker, information radiators, awareness, evaluation, adaptation, multi-user, walk-up-and-use, joy of use
Citation
Koch, Michael (2025): CommunityMirrors – Semi-Public Infor-mation Radiators for Knowledge Workers. In: Koch, Michael; Ott, Florian (Hrsg.): Schriften zur soziotechnischen Integration, Band 10. München: Forschungsgruppe Kooperationssysteme, Universität der Bundeswehr München. https://doi.org/10.18726/2025_1