iDwidgets: Parameterizing Widgets by User Identity

We introduce the concept of identity-differentiating widgets (iDwidgets), widgets parameterized by the identity of their user. Although multi-user applications have become more common, most support only traditional ”single-user” widgets. By adding user-identity information we allow interactions with today’s widgets to be dynamically customized on a per-user basis in a group usage setting. The concept has inspired the design of new widgets as well. In this paper we describe example iDwidgets and define a conceptual framework based on what is being customized in the widget. iDwidgets can support novel interaction techniques in collaborative settings. Interact 2005, Int’l Conf. on Human Computer Interaction This work may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any commercial purpose. Permission to copy in whole or in part without payment of fee is granted for nonprofit educational and research purposes provided that all such whole or partial copies include the following: a notice that such copying is by permission of Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.; an acknowledgment of the authors and individual contributions to the work; and all applicable portions of the copyright notice. Copying, reproduction, or republishing for any other purpose shall require a license with payment of fee to Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright c ©Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc., 2005 201 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139