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A lot of open source software has stable functionality and make an okay replacement to their commercial counterparts, but do not have a consistent interface, much less a good one. SigCHI is exploring and redefining concepts in Human-Computer Interaction that can reach the typical user. We have two challenging projects for improving interaction, each project attacking in a different way.
If you find any of the projects below interesting, please email the chair, come to our meetings, and get involved. Now is the time.
You learned about the USB P5 glove in the last Banks; it has six degrees of freedom and high sensitivity for each finger. We are working on a gestural control interface to manipulate real-time musical signals in a 3D virtual space. Based on the P5's characteristics and finger bending, SigCHI will first create a virtual trumpet interface to send MIDI messages. If we can achieve that amazing level of control with the P5, we'll be confident in developing the Gesture Music Interface. The GMI idea allows a performer to intuitively alter the pitch, density, amplitude, and other parameters for groups of individual pieces of sounds using the P5 glove. For example, using this interface, one could set sound objects into a perceptively physical movement in virtual space; it provides for sound mixing with strong tangible metaphors.
A group in SigCHI is also working on an instant messaging system. Beyond improving the graphical interface of past clients for the IM project, we are also implementing fundamentals in Human-Computer Interaction: smart and dynamic away messages through computer awareness, notification through speech and ambient sounds/output devices, and a multitude of features involving buddy prioritization. After getting familiar with the code for the project, we'll get to the fun part and work on a 3D interface layer.
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