Everyday Simplicity: The Implications of Everyday Tasks for Ubiquitous Computing Applications
Florian Resatsch, Uwe Sandner, Daniel Michelis, Christian Hoechst, Thomas A. Schildhauer · 2007
In Mark Weiser’s original 1991 vision, Ubiquitous Computing was defined as invisible computers in different sizes, situated to specific tasks: “People will simply use them unconsciously to accomplish everyday tasks.” An analysis on everyday tasks is needed in order to determine options for Ubicomp applications to be developed on a broad level. Everyday activities must be done quickly and often simultaneously with other activities. The structure of everyday activities minimizes planning and mental computation. An everyday task must have few choices at any point, which requires little planning- or as Norman (1989) put it: “Everyday activities are conceptually simple”. The simplicity of everyday tasks provides good opportunities to bring the Ubicomp vision to life. This paper follows the approach of the early Ubicomp intentions to focus on everyday tasks and what determines the specification of information system applications in that case. Moreover we outline the importance of intermediate solutions for end-users to experience and accept Ubicomp technologies. Finally we describe the evaluation of a grassroots case study of an artifact that shows the main aspect of everyday tasks: simplicity and the setup of an instant Ubicomp application with available components.