Welcome from the Conference Co-Chairs

The use of computer technolgy is no longer the privilege of an elite few. Rapid technological progress in fields such as Multimedia, Telecommunications, Computer Graphics and Networking is pushing the development of personal and ubiquitous computing. Computers are becoming increasingly part of everyone's life. Research and development in these fields focus on the design and implementation of advanced technologies. However, they are not primarily concerned with how their creations influence, determine, constrain, or enhance the way people think, act, work, and collaborate.

In the light of these rapid changes in technology, it is a continuous challenge for the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) to keep its collective eyes on the humans using the technology, and understand and design the way that people interact with and via computers.

Since several different fields and cultures currently see themselves as advocates for a human-centered view, we are increasingly aware of the trend toward diversification within HCI. As these CHI 96 Proceedings and Companion show, we have contributions from

different research fields (e.g. Computer Science, Psychology, Social Science, Graphics Design, Architecture)
different sub-fields (e.g. Multimedia, Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, User Interface Technology, CSCW)
universities, research laboratories, big and small companies
different application fields (e.g. E-Mail, News, World Wide Web, Telephones)
different work cultures (e.g. academia, industry; software engineers, graphic designers, movie makers, researchers)
different parts of the world (North America, Asia, Australia, Europe)

focusing at

different markets (specialized and small, large), and
different user groups (e.g. children, everyone, special jobs, special needs)

Common Ground is the theme for CHI 96, emphasizing the need for identifying and experiencing the commonality between the different views, fields, and cultures involved in HCI. In his opening address, Herb Clark discusses the important role of a common ground to facilitate communication between people, as well as between people and machines. A common ground needs to be built and maintained in order to keep communication alive. The same holds for the field of Human-Computer Interaction.

Many contributions to CHI 96 address the issue of a common ground in HCI. We encourage the reader of these CHI 96 Proceedings and Companion to do the same: to explore the Common Ground between the different fields and cultures forming the discipline of Human-Computer Interaction. The challenge is to see beyond the obvious differences to an underlying core of shared beliefs and experiences. This is the Common Ground that allows us to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Kevin M. Schofield
Michael J. Tauber

CHI 96 General Co-Chairs