Connexus: A Communal Interface

Human communication and interaction comprise a wide range of verbal and nonverbal cues. Further adoption of novel telecommunication methods such as e-mail, chat, instant messaging (IM), mobile phone SMS text messaging, and videoconferencing; have augmented our mediated interaction abilities. However, a significant (and important) amount of human expression and interaction information is never captured, transmitted, or expressed with current computer mediated communication (CMC) tools. We also lack ambient methods of maintaining contact when not co-located with family and friends. Communal Interfaces is a new research effort aimed at the study of nonverbal human cues: their intent, motion, meaning, subtleties, and importance in communication. In this paper we address issues involved in the design, construction, and evaluation of Connexus, one such communal interface.