I'll second Nancy's point. Research we've done points to a desire for more of an "Eye of Fatima" type experience.
I'd also add that the etiquette of video calls is still awkward. I can tell if you are tuning out, (or more likely, am nervous that you might pick up on the fact their I'm multi-tasking), and it's hard to "end" calls gracefully. That said, corporate video calls is coming along and (anecdotally) I'm certainly starting to experience more of them. But these are with companies who've invested a lot in the systems. Gretchen -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nancy Broden Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 9:47 AM To: IXDA list Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] Why haven't video calls taken off Add to these the fact that simply seeing the other person on the other end of the line adds very little to the communication. Now, if I were to see what you see, instead of just seeing you.... On May 30, 2008, at 9:34 AM, Peyush Agarwal wrote: > Alexander, > I'm not sure I agree with the notion of 'greedy interface' as the > problem. I mean, it's the whole point when you do video calls, no? > > I think rather that there are 3 general issues with video phoning - > 1. Technology - they are bandwidth heavy, and unreliable in terms of > quality. Sometimes it's good other times choppy etc. It has to work > like tv all the time from any location. Sort of how audio phoning > works. > 2. Logistics - maybe this is also technological, but it's too much > hassle to sit in the right place, have the right lighting etc. to > make it worthwhile. I remember when I first used webcams (low res, > choppy etc.) the excitement of seeing someone from another part of > the world was quickly overcome by constantly wanting to 'place' them > such that I could be 'eye to eye' with them, and be able to see > their face properly etc. Typically, lights behind the person that > work fine as local ambient light are terrible for the person on the > other end of the call - all they see is a silhouette. > 3. Privacy - I think it would be just terrible if you HAD to use > videoconferencing - I don't have to pat down my cowlick in order to > speak over the phone today, or put on a tie etc. > -------------------------------- Nancy Broden [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
