[Air-L] Metaphors in Technology

[Bernhard Rieder]

Hi there,

I think that nobody suggested Coyne, Richard (1995) : Designing 
Information Technology in the Postmodern Age. Cambridge MA, London :
MIT Press yet. That's not only a great book but it also has a great 
chapter on a metaphor based design approach. I would also argue that 
when working with software and metaphore there is no way around Laurel, 
Brenda (1993) : Computers as Theatre. Boston MA : Addison-Wesley.

In the field of interface design, the metaphor debate goes back to the 
beginning of GUIs when most of the choices that are still with us today 
were actually made. Laurel, Brenda (ed.) (1990) : The Art of 
Human-Computer Interface Design. Boston MA : Addison-Wesley is a great 
historical reference. From there, Ben Shneiderman, Alan Kay, Jeff Raskin 
and Donald Norman have worked extensively on the HCI and metaphor.

best,
Bernhard

-- 
Bernhard Rieder
Laboratoire Paragraphe
Université de Paris 8

++33 6 84 85 51 98
bernhard.rieder at univ-paris8.fr
http://bernhard.rieder.fr
http://thepoliticsofsystems.net


Gordon Carlson wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> I am working on a project dealing with the use of metaphor in
> communication about technology, as well as communication within
> software.  I am trying to compile a list of metaphors used on the web
> and in computer software.  For example, the "shopping cart" in online
> shopping, PowerPoint using "slides", "dialog" boxes in operating
> systems, "bulletin boards", etc.
> 
> Have any of you come across or perhaps even thought of other metaphors
> employed in software, online or off, or in communication about
> technology?  I would like to make a giant list of examples.
> 
> Also, any recommended readings would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help!
> 
> 
> 
> -Gordon Carlson
> -University of Illinois at Chicago
> -PhD Student of New Media Communication and RA in Electronic Visualization Lab
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