Week 3 Readings

Chapter 2: Getting in Touch

Dourish’s second chapter in his book, where the action is, is a description of the ever evolving desktop computer. Through the chapter we are able to discover how the computer has evolved and where it has remained stagnate. Dourish explains that although technology has advanced people are still using the computer in the same way, with the same devices to interact with it. This in turn makes the environment where the computer is, computer focused rather than human focused.

This is demonstrated through several examples including, the digital desk and the meeting live board. Both of these examples show how the industry should be evolving to make the environment more user orinated.



Chapter 3: Social Computing

The chapter entitled social computer is focused around the history of various studies that encompass the field of Sociology. Dourish describes the emergence of ethnography, in terms of its historical settings and this study allowed various other studies to emerge each encompassing its own aspect of sociology. For example ethnography is about what people do, what they experience, while completing the activity and how it fits into the person’s life.

Dourish also discusses Suchman’s book about plans and situated actions. Through this book it was discovered that the previous thoughts about how people acted towards a goal; in a step1, 2 and 3 situation eg. make a cup of coffee. Is not applicable in a social situation where people’s lives are constructed on a moment to moment basis. Ethnomethodology is then discussed as a way to deal with the people’s constantly changing ways to get to a goal. This study resolves around the context in which the person is in and how this aspect of a person usually can clarify aspect of what is happening.