Piles Across Space: Breaking the Real-Estate Barrier on PDAs

Abstract

We describe an implementation that has users `flick' notes, images, audio, and video files into piles beyond the screen of the PDA. This scheme allows the PDA user to keep information close at hand without sacrificing valuable screen real estate. It also obviates the need to browse complex file trees during a working session. Multiple workspaces can be maintained in persistent store. Each workspace preserves one configuration of off-screen piles. The system allows multiple PDA owners within ad hoc radio range to share off-screen piles. They point out to each other where a shared pile is to reside in space. Once established, all sharing partners may add to the pile and see its contents. One application is to support biodiversity researchers in the field, where they generate data on their PDA and need to keep it organized until they return to their field station. We conducted an experiment where participants used our system with up to ten simultaneous piles. Not only were they able to operate the application, but they remembered the location of piles when placed in different physical environments and when asked to recall the locations several days after the experiment. We describe gender differences that suggest particular design choices for the system.