Tickertape: Notification and Communication in a Single Line

This paper outlines an awareness application called Tickertape. Tickertape is a tool that displays event notifications in the form of scrolling messages across a single-line window. The Tickertape message window provides an interface to a world of highly tailorable transient information. We provide an overview of Tickertape features and then discuss its specific use within a semi-commercial research organisation. We note that although Tickertape’s evolution was incidental rather than purposeful, it is being extensively used within our organisation. Usage data and interviews suggest that there is a select core group of users who use Tickertape for both work and leisure. Other more casual users use the tool sporadically for leisure purposes only. We highlight our current goal which is to optimise Tickertape usage within the work environment. We hope to achieve this by enhancing the Tickertape user interface and encouraging its widespread use within the organisation. Our long-term vision involves the incorporation of Tickertape into OrbitGold, our collaborative working environment and to make the tool accessible to external organisations.