This paper explores the nature of interfaces to support people in accessing their files at tabletop displays embedded in the environment. To do this, we designed a study comparing people’s interaction with two very different classes of file system access interface: Focus, explicitly designed for tabletops, and the familiar hierarchical Windows Explorer. In our within-subjects double-crossover study, participants collaborated on 4 planning tasks. Based on video, logs, questionnaires and interviews, we conclude that both classes of interface have a place. Notably, Focus contributed to improved collaboration and more efficient use of the workspace than with Explorer. Our results inform a set of recommendations for future interfaces enabling this important class of interaction— supporting access to files for collaboration at tabletop devices embedded in an ubicomp environment.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	Tabletop interface, single display groupware, file system UI
Research Division:	Information and Computing Sciences
Research Group:	Library and information studies
Research Field:	Human information interaction and retrieval
Objective Division:	Information and Communication Services
Objective Group:	Information systems, technologies and services
Objective Field:	Application software packages
UTAS Author:	Wasinger, R (Dr Rainer Wasinger)
ID Code:	90181
Year Published:	2009
Deposited By:	Information and Communication Technology
Deposited On:	2014-03-27
Last Modified:	2017-05-25
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