Expanding the Desktop: Transforming Personal Computing through Large Pixel-Space Displays

自从20世纪70年代的S和80年代的S出现具有位图显示的个人计算机以来，每台计算机一个显示器或监视器的模式一直是台式计算的主导模式。PI认为，这种限制强烈影响了为软件应用程序构建的可视界面以及人们与计算机交互的方式，在许多情况下限制了生产率和创新。随着需要更少桌面空间的LCD显示器变得越来越流行，成本也越来越低，每台计算机使用多个显示器的情况也变得越来越普遍。然而，为了让具有大像素空间的计算机最大限度地受益，需要新的交互方法和空间管理操作。此外，大像素空间的计算机将支持新形式的软件系统(例如，额外的屏幕区域将可用于新型外围设备感知工具，使人们能够监控工作和个人生活中的重要信息)。因此，个人计算机将成为促进数据密集型任务和分析活动的信息控制中心。为了实现这一愿景，国际和平研究所将探索三个相关领域的研究。首先，他将研究窗口和空间管理方面的现有做法，特别是当前的方法如何在多台监视器机器上成功或不成功，他将开发新的空间管理操作，更具体地侧重于在显示区域太大以至于标准直接操作技术变得缓慢和有限时，简化导航和任务管理。其次，PI将审查增加的屏幕面积是否有利于并将导致集成开发环境和信息可视化系统等多窗口、信息丰富的软件系统的新功能。第三，PI将探索如何使用额外的屏幕空间为用户提供对重要信息的外围感知，如工作项目的进度、同事或朋友的沟通以及当前的新闻和事件，同时不会造成干扰。所有这些研究线索将结合在一起，以建立对多显示器和大像素空间计算机的能力和潜在优势、优势和劣势的理解。广泛的影响：如果大像素空间计算机真的变得普遍，人们将需要更容易、更好的方法来管理屏幕空间和在那里执行的任务。即使是在空间和窗口管理方面相对较小的改进也可以带来巨大的累积收益，因为计算机在社会上非常普遍。如果确实存在这样的机器的优势，那么具体地识别这种机器的优势可以帮助那些正在考虑更换多显示器机器并试图了解其带来的好处的人。这项研究有可能为每个人开发管理任务和与用户界面交互的新的、根本不同的方式，从而使他们变得更有效率。此外，该项目将创建新形式的信息可视化和外围感知系统，有助于将个人计算机转变为信息控制中心。

Since the rise of personal computers with bitmapped displays in the 1970's and 1980's, the model of one display or monitor per computer has been the dominant paradigm for desktop computing. The PI argues that this constraint has strongly influenced the visual interfaces built for software applications and how people have interacted with computers, and in many cases has limited productivity and innovation. As LCD monitors that require far less desk space have become more popular and less expensive, the use of multiple monitors per computer is becoming more common. In order for computers with large pixel-spaces to be of most benefit, however, new interaction methods and space management operations are needed. Furthermore, large pixel-space computers will enable new forms of software systems (e.g., the extra screen area will be available for new styles of peripheral awareness tools that allow people to monitor important information in their work and personal lives). Consequently, personal computers will become information control centers that facilitate data-intensive tasks and analysis activities. To implement this vision, the PI will explore research in three related areas. First, he will study existing practices in window and space management, particularly how current methods do or do not succeed on multiple monitor machines, and he will develop new space management operations more specifically focused on easing navigation and task management when the display area is so large that standard direct manipulation techniques become slow and limiting. Second, the PI will examine whether the increased screen area is beneficial for and will lead to new capabilities in multi-window, information-rich software systems such as Integrated Development Environments and Information Visualization systems. Third, the PI will explore how the extra screen real estate can be used to provide the user with peripheral awareness of important information such as the progress of work projects, communications from colleagues or friends, and current news and events, while not being disruptive distractions. All of these research threads will combine to build an understanding of the capabilities and potential benefits, the strengths and weaknesses, of multi-monitor and large pixel-space computers.Broader Impacts: If large pixel-space computers do become commonplace, people will need easier and better methods for managing the screen space and the tasks being performed there. Even relatively modest improvements in space and window management can provide huge cumulative benefits, because computers are so pervasive in society. Concretely identifying the advantages of machines like this, if the advantages do exist, can serve to inform people who are considering a change to a multi-monitor machine and are seeking to understand the benefits that can result. This research has the potential to develop new and fundamentally different ways of managing tasks and interacting with user interfaces for everyone, so that they become more productive. Furthermore, the project will create new forms of information visualization and peripheral awareness systems that will help transform personal computers into information control centers.