Pêle-Mêle, une étude de la communication multi-échelles

Abstract

The communication infrastructure around us is a rich but fragmented environment made of separated services corresponding to different levels of engagement. The multiscale approach to communication alternatively proposes to create systems that support a variable degree of engagement and smooth transitions between degrees. This paper reports on the design and evaluation of such a system called Pêle-Mêle. We present a longitudinal study of its use that notably illustrates the importance of providing gradual attention management mechanisms to support transitions between background and foreground communications. Our results suggest that control over information salience can help users of communication systems adjust both their local distraction and remote attractiveness.