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Kel Smith's Page
Latest Activity
Profile Information
- Title/Affiliation:
- Principal - Anikto LLC
Associate Practice Leader, Digital - Euro RSCG Life Catapult
- Location:
- New York and Philadelphia
- Website:
- http://www.anikto.com/
- Website2:
- http://www.indirectmanipulation.com
- Preferred Virtual Worlds:
- Second Life
Kel Smith's Blog
Helen Keller Day and Virtual Guide Dogs
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Helen Keller Day in Second Life, a 24-hour event sponsored by Virtual Helping Hands. The theme of the presentations and discussion was to raise awareness for Second Life users with disabilities, who continue to utilize virtua… Continue
Posted on June 30, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment
Another World for Pharma, Part II
One of the challenges to any new technological solution is convincing oneself (and others) that the proposed innovation will provide a better alternative to what it purports to replace. It needs to be cheaper, faster, more effective, and deliver a substantial return on both engagement and investment.
This came up in discussions around a… Continue
Posted on June 11, 2009 at 7:02am —
Another World for Pharma
Among my interests are the ways in which emerging technology platforms can be integrated within existing business and educational contexts. This conscious investigation can sometimes reveal patterns of trends and initiatives weaving together.
What I've noticed in the past month or so is an increase in the amount of chatter regarding the use of virtual technology within the pharmaceutical and… Continue
Posted on May 30, 2009 at 5:42am —
Parafunctionality of Avatars
In his book Hertzian Tales, Anthony Dunne defines parafunctionality as a form of design in which technology operates as a mechanism to influence and reflect our behavior. Paul Fishwick describes parafunctional object
… ContinuePosted on May 28, 2009 at 5:44am — 2 Comments
Gender, Disability and Identity in Virtual Worlds
A panel discussion took place this week at the International Communication Association Conference in Chicago on conceptual models of inclusion. Among the topics discussed was the role of identity, disability and gender in virtual environments such as Second Life.
Members of the Georgia Inst… Continue
Posted on May 26, 2009 at 5:40am — 1 Comment
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 10:09am on July 5, 2009, Denise Wood said…
- Hi Kel
Good to hear you are interested. I am still collecting abstracts so not sure what topics will be covered until they all come in but the structure I am proposing might help you decide: I am planning one section focusing on why accessibility in 3D virtual worlds is important and some of the barriers that currently exist; one on the available solutions in world (this will include topics about how to change the built-in settings, products that can be purchased for SL like E.V.A. as well as open source accessing solutions developed in world such as the virtual guide dog; a third section focusing on interfacing solutions to virtual worlds (including thin clients); a fourth section focusing on building accessible spaces in virtual worlds (eg the work Accessible Builds is doing in SL and creating accessible learning spaces, conference spaces and social places; a fifth section focusing on the social aspects of accessibility in virtual worlds which will cover things like social and information supports available in virtual worlds such as Virtual Ability Island, HealthInfo Island, Gimp Girl, Wheelies and so on. I imagine there will be a final chapter exploring alternative worlds under development such as OpenSim, Wonderland, Web3D applications like the one used by AVW for its headquarters and the need for these environments to be built from the ground up with accessibility in mind.
How does that sound? Open to suggestions at this early stage of course.
I will post up a list of headings that contributors might address in their abstracts so we are all consistent in the format of our chapter proposals. I have recently received a format from an editor of another IGI publication and that seems to work quite well I think. Everyone who has joined this group is very likely able to contribute a chapter under one of the proposed sections. I'd like to get the developers of some of the emerging 3D virtual worlds to contribute to the last section because that might encourage them to think more about accessibility in the process :-)
Cheers
Denise
- At 11:21am on July 2, 2009, Denise Wood said…
- Hey Kel
I reckon one of our first Advisory Board tasks should be to discuss with AVW exec the lack of an accessible AVW site. I invited several experts in accessibility to join the group - some have disabilities and found the sign-up almost impossible to get through - captcha and a whole lot of usability issues that are universal design issues not just accessibility!
Cheers
Denise
- At 8:46am on July 2, 2009, Denise Wood said…
- Hi Kel
Absolutely. Thanks for the link to your paper. Universal design in all areas (web design, Flash and more recently 3D worlds has been my main research interest for several years. It is great to see others in this space now. I am at the stage of seeking expressions of interests for chapters - I need basically title and abstract for each proposed chapter so I can finalise the proposal for the publisher. I would love to receive an abstract from you and any others you think might have interest/expertise in this area. I have about 6 commitments to chapters so far. I have set up a AVW group for accessible design of 3D worlds and sent out invitations to several I am working with. You might to join and encourage others - I thought we could then share ideas via that forum.
Cheers
Denise
- At 5:39am on July 24, 2008, Edita said…
- Hello Kel and a very warm welcome to you!
- At 9:42am on July 23, 2008,
Dave Elchoness said… - Welcome Kel and thanks for joining us. Please let me know if I can be helpful to you.
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