Summary for Tangible Bits

This reading discussed a form of human computer interaction
that involved the manipulation of data by attaching the data to
real, physical objects, called "Tangible Bits". The author's goal
for tangible bits is to devise a way that can join the physical world
with cyberspace by use of interactive surfaces, coupling a bit and
an atom, and the use of ambient media. The reading went on to
highlight these three key concepts of the tangible bits by introducing
three projects that involved these mechanics.

The first project was the metaDESK, in which the user would instantiate
GUI based devices from a simple window, and then the devices would then
be projected by the machine in order for the user to have full, physical
interactions with the tools at his/her disposal.

The next project that was mentioned was called ambientROOM. This device
was designed to be a complement to the metaDESK's interface design with its
use and manipulation of ambient media, which includes lighting, shadows,
airflow, water, and sound. The use of the ambient media is designed so that
the system can relay information to the user through the boundaries of human
perception.

The last project mentioned was the transBOARD, which when combined with
an interactive surface, absorbs the information of physical objects that are around
it and interacting with it. Once the information has been absorbed, it is then
transformed into digital bits, and released into cyberspace.

From this reading, I can tell that it would be possible to incorporate the concept
of ambient media into our project, and possibly the interactive surfaces to a lesser
extent than that of the metaDESK. However, I do not believe it is possible to
incorporate a system such as the one found in the transBOARD to meld the physical
play space with the cybernetic world.