Applications of Large Displays
by Alain (games), Andrew (games), Ben
(applications), Beth (applications), and Meg (education)
I.
Home Use
A.
Word processing/everyday tasks/communication
1.
Benefits
a)
Less window management/more windows shown
b)
Faster at everyday tasks
c)
More virtual desktop space
2.
Issues
a)
Space restriction: takes a significant portion of desk space
b)
Cost: prohibitively expensive for a single user
c)
Technical knowledge: people may have a hard time installing graphics
cards etc.
3.
Suggestion:
a)
Use a simple 2 monitor setup that is supported by current software and
hardware because it will provide benefit while taking the least amount of space
and technical knowledge.
B.
Entertainment/Edutainment/Exercise
1.
Benefits
a)
Virtual worlds are more immersive and engaging
b)
More pixels means more realistic graphics
c)
Larger viewport allows for less navigation/panning
d)
Gamers get a performance increase on larger displays
e) Embodied interaction is much easier (gyro
mouse, motion)
2.
Issues
a)
Accessing distant user interface with the mouse
b)
Notifications are not always in the user's focus
c) Most games do not support such high
resolutions
3.
Suggestion:
a)
Implement techniques to make the UI more accessible with mouse, such as:
making the UI much larger, "warping" the cursor to the UI, or "warping" the UI
to the mouse (i.e. right click menu)
b) Make sure hotkeys (shortcuts) for the UI are
implemented
c) Bring notifications to the users' focus
(around cursor, screen)
d) Make distant notifications proportionally
larger
II.
Education
A.
Classroom
1.
Benefits
a)
Activity awareness: students and teachers are more aware of work being
done with the system
b)
Enables more simultaneous use of the system: more students can see the
display at one time
2.
Issues
a)
Cost: a limited number of schools could afford the high cost of large
displays, furthering the digital divide
b)
Maintenance: currently, high-resolution large screen displays require a
significant number of computers to run.
c) Privacy vs. Public information: effected by
the teacher and student relationships
3.
Suggestion:
a)
Use a large low-res display for collaborative interaction and shared
space with individual small high-res devices (such as handhelds). This provides
activity awareness and collaboration with out high cost or maintenance.
III.
Business
A.
Financial Systems (Wall Street)
B.
Software Development
C.
Presentations
1.
Benefits
a)
More productive workers
b)
Better presentations to clients
2.
Issues
a)
Space - to put the display
b)
Maintenance: need a technical staff
3.
Suggestion
a)
If your company has the money, provide multiple monitors to all
employees.
IV.
Scientific
A.
Scientific/Information Visualization (see
Visualization
Design for more details)
1.
Benefits
a)
See more of their information
b)
Multi-scale insights
2.
Issues
a)
Space/cost/maintenance
B.
Group awareness and Collaboration (see
Collaboration for more details)
1.
Benefits
a)
More scientists able to collaborate
b)
More aware of others simultaneous work
2.
Issues
a)
Privacy
b)
Space/cost/maintenance
V.
Military
A.
Intelligence Analysis/Geospatial data
B.
Command and Control
C.
Training