Transient Memory: A new mode of communication....

This project was led by research into memory, but in transmitting memories it becomes communication. All communication involves memory of some kind as it is essentially the transference of information whether this be talking, emailing, instant messaging or anything else.

Technology has facilitated the crossing of geographic boundaries between people, and we are now more than every able to keep in touch with people far away from us. This project has created a new method of electronic communication. I have narrowed down my context and user base, but what underpins it is transient memory.

I want to show how it contributes to the field of electronic communication. There is lots written about electronic communication, and how it can be both beneficial and detrimental.

There are a few fundamental aspects of this project which differentiate it from others.

1. A single purpose object
2. Paired architecture between two users. No networking aspect or expandability.
3. Transient communication. No data recovery; once it's gone there is no evidence of the transmission every existing.
4. Form led functionality.

This http://ccs.mit.edu/papers/CCSWP167.html is an interesting paper titled 'SHAPING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION: The Metastructuring of Technology in Use'. It explores ways in which electronic communication methodologies can be adapted to suit differing contexts of use. 'In this paper we identify a role -- technology-use mediation -- which we define as the deliberate, organisationally-sanctioned intervention within the context of use which helps to adapt a new communication technology to that context, modifies the context as appropriate to accommodate use of the technology, and facilitates the ongoing usefulness of the technology over time.' 

'Technology-use mediation' has been utilised within this project to explore different ways in which memories (or essentially communication) can be valuable in their transient form.

'Technology Structuring' is described in the essay as the ways in which technologies are 'structured by uses in their context of use'. 

'As a role that influences the interaction of users with their technology, mediation can also be viewed from the framework of structuration theory (Giddens, 1984), and particularly in terms of how technologies are structured by users in their contexts of use (Barley, 1986; DeSanctis and Poole, 1994; Orlikowski, 1992b; Walsham, 1993; Weick, 1990). The structuring of technologies in use refers to the processes through which users manipulate their technologies to accomplish work, and the ways in which their actions draw on and reproduce (or sometimes change) the particular social contexts within which they work.

Technology structuring is influenced by users' interpretations of their work, the organization, and technology, their access to organizational and technological resources, and the normative rules that guide action in their social context. A general outline of the technology structuring process is depicted in Figure 1. [2]Users draw on existing institutional rules and resources (e.g., division of labor and work procedures; arrow 1) to use the technological capabilities available to them (arrow 2). In using their technology to accomplish some task, users appropriate their technology (arrow 3) and enact certain social practices, which reinforce, adjust or change the existing institutional realm (e.g., division of labor and work procedures; arrow 4). The influence of individuals' technology use on the institutional properties are often unintended and unnoticed, just as the influence of the institutional properties on technology use is often unnoticed and unacknowledged.'

Some peoples adaptation of their communication technologies can be spurred by situations where the technology is not working properly. In the version 2 user test, a user mentioned the way in which she put timestamps on text messages when she had a very slow phone so that her friends knew when they were sent, and vice versa. Communication technologies should be designed with how and when they will be used in mind, otherwise they wouldn't be used.

Analysing users day to day lives and looking at their interactions with technologies can inspire interventions, which is what this paper is about really. My project worked the other way round at times, with a general concept being developed, then a context of use and design established, and the design was tweaked to suit it.

This paper http://ctl.ypu.edu.tw/ezfiles/17/1017/attach/51/pta_11206_6271112_54993.pdf focuses on the negative effects of electronic communication at work. It suggests that the perceived effects of interaction with electronic communication could be symptomatic of the core characteristics of said communication. 

'Electronic mail, for instance, filters out personal and social cues and provides new capabilities not found in traditional media, and it has been argued that these factors have consequences such as “flaming” and depersonalization.Alternative theoretical perspectives on the impacts of information technology suggest that our ability to explain these outcomes might be enhanced by attending to users’ intentional choices about how to use technology and to the unpredictable technology usage patterns that; emerge when users interact with the technology and each other. These alternative perspectives are examined in the context of an exploratory case study of a complex organization in which electronic mail was heavily used.

Users were found to select email deliberately when they wished to avoid unwanted social interactions. At the same time, they actively took steps to avoid negative outcomes, such as depersonalization of their relationships with subordinates. However, despite their well-intentioned efforts, some negative social effects did occur that cannot entirely be attributed to the technological characteristics of electronic communication. Instead, they appear to be ironic side effects of users’ thoughtful efforts to use email effectively'

It makes the point that certain mediums can affect users behaviours and the way they interact via them. User intent is thought to play a part in the observed negative behaviours and actions, but so are the tools and limitations presented by technologies. These tools and limitations change the way that users interact with eachother, and a theory that i was exploring was whether memory storage and retrieval was always a good thing within systems.

This paper http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/3382980/mandl_electronic.pdf?sequence=1 explores an emerging proposal for email communications between doctors and patients. 

'This paper seeks  to identify the promise and pitfalls of electronic patient-pbysician communication before such technology becomes widely  d i s t r i b u t e d. A research agenda is proposed  that would provide data that are useful for careful shaping of the communications infrastructure. The paper addresses the need  to 1) define appropriate use of the various modes of patient-physician communication, 2) ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information, 3) create user interfaces that guide patients in effective use of the technology, 4) proactively assess medicolegal liability, and 5) ensure access  to the technology by a  multicultural, multilingual population with varying degrees of literacy.'

Email is presented as a useful technology, but 'Health care providers need a framework for choosing the communication mode that is most appropriate for each situation'. The problem is of increased administration and the lack of customer satisfaction that comes with inadequate communication. Security and confidentiality are crucial, which is also a consideration with my project although with such personal sensitive information involves within health care this is hugely important. Customers may not want to have their information emailed to them! It proposes controls on message frequency and priority. There are also the issues of access to technology and multiple languages.