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McPhail, S. (2002)
BuddyBugs: An MSN Messenger Interface. Research report iLab-2002-1, Grouplab, Dept. Computer Science, University of Calgary. Video report, duration 2:44.
Type: Public research report (video).
Note: Presented publicly in McPhail’s Western Computer Graphics Symposium 2002 presentation..

Download as: Video

Abstract.
This video illutrates Buddy Bugs, a physical user interface to Windows Instant Messenger (IM), where people are represented by glass bugs on a leaf. A bug lights up and moves about depending on the status of the person it represents. Touching a bug initiates an instant messaging conversation. Buddy Bugs’ basic ideas include: making status information of a few key people more readily available; using its physical form as a peripheral display that can be situated appropriately in the environment; and taking advantage of people’s spatial memory by having contacts associated with bugs at particular positions on the leaf.

Keywords: Notification, peripheral displays, physical and tangible user interfaces.