Multiple everything and getting work done (was: Re: multiple embodiments in MUDs, MOOs & MUSHs)

Rycharde Hawkes (rych@hagg.psy.ed.ac.uk)
Tue, 6 Aug 96 19:12:11 BST

Chris Hand wrote:
> Anthony Steed said:
> > Certainly there are times when you want to focus mainly on one
> > task, but even then you may want to aware of and interrupted by other
> > possible interactions such as incoming phone calls or email messages.
>
> I've found that over the past 10 years or so my ability to
> I often start up my Linux box in character mode (no X windows)
> or even go and use a stand-alone PC in a room somewhere (no network).
> The arrival of web browsers makes things even worse!
>
> Does anyone else find this kind of thing a problem, or do I just
> need to get therapy?

There have been times in the past when I have used two windowing
workstations to get my work done. There isn't a monitor big enough
to get your work done nowadays, what with multiple window IDEs,
on-line documentations, email, etc.

I definitely find that flipping from one task to another quickly
does allow me to do more work but it is also far more exhausting
and if done for too long is, inevitably, counter-productive.

If these shadow avatars that Dave is suggesting are sufficiently
"intelligent" then the burden on the individual to keep track
of key events in each environment shouldn't be tolerable. If they
aren't intelligent enough then they could have the drawback of
windowing systems.

The idea reminds me of the intelligent agent concept for the WWW
where a process will trawl the net for specific information or
monitor certain events and periodically report back to its owner.

Rych

=====================================================================
Rycharde Hawkes Tel: +44 131 650 3426
Virtual Environment Laboratory WWW: http://haggis.psy.ed.ac.uk/
University of Edinburgh

"I have self-discipline, I just can't be bothered to use it."
=====================================================================