Archive for February, 2009

I recently read an inspiring article by Jeffrey and Shaowen Bardzell from Sept/Oct issue of interactions magazine. The first part of the piece examines the nature of avatars, or digital representations of self. The authors point out that avatars are increasingly important as the interface element through which users interact in online applications, ranging from [...]

User-centered Internet Policy

February 23, 2009

As a new President takes office, the online world is full of speculation about the future of Internet policy in America. Hopes are high, given that President Obama is considered to the most tech-savvy political candidate to date; in fact many are touting him as the first politician to really get the nature of web [...]

“Friends” with Benefits

February 22, 2009

As is often the case regarding new technology, early research about social networking sites (SNS’s) has tended to lean towards either one of two extremes. On one side, utopist techno-enthusiasts predict that SNS’s will enable a more connected, democratic, and productive society. And on the other end, alarmist critics assert that MySpace is eroding the [...]