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MOUSETRACES - 2002
Share your mouse across distance.
Note: This project may be available for download again soon,(Temporarily Offline)
Overview
MouseTraces is an application that focuses on background connectedness and awareness between two people across distance. Looking at the specific relationship of networked computer usage, the project captures mouse movements on the desktop and transmits a graphical representation of this movement across the network to the other person.
Prototype
Current connections between people separated by distance take place during time specific intervals - i.e. when you have time to write that email, call the other person, send them a letter in the mail, or send them an Instant Message. Instant Messengers (ICQ, AIM, MSN Messenger) are perhaps the closest thing we have to a constant connection since when both people are logged in each is instantly aware of the other person's presence, activity (away, busy, available), and personal information. Still, the method of communication between people connected to IMs requires foreground activity such as opening a window, typing a message, and clicking the send or return buttons. Instead of relying on this type of foreground connection, MouseTraces keeps track of each person's desktop activity in an ambient, non-intrusive way.
MouseTraces is a desktop application for Mac or PC that opens a 320 x 240 window on the desktop of each machine. It is a networked application meant for One2One interaction, therefore when it is opened users are prompted to enter a group name. Users then connect to the group along with one other person who knows the group name. Once opened, the MouseTraces client grabs the appropriate conduit to send information. The application is meant to stay open the duration of the day, month, year that the two people are apart. If closed, v.1.0 erases all of the movement and patterns that occurred in the past. Future versions will allow for histories of movement to be collected and tracked when the application is closed.
Each user is represented as a different colored line (red and blue) drawn between the current and last points the cursor occupied. This mapping gives a direct relationship to the way the other connected person is using their computer. It also shows the path of their mouse over time and creates a time-based system showing "traces" of all the activity that user generated over a period of time. There is also a "clear" button that allows each user to refresh the trails if they want to measure specific patterns for specific durations.