BooksTellingStories: New Forms of Interaction with Books using BookCrossing and Web 2.0 Technologies

Thesis Type:

The thesis can be done as diploma or master's thesis.

The thesis can be done as semester thesis.

The DUS research group:

The Distributed and Ubiquitous Systems (DUS) research group works together with well-known international partners from research and industry in the field of ubiquitous and pervasive computing systems.

Ubiquitous Computing:

A vision of ubiquitous computing is the invisible computer. Computer as visible elements of our environment disappear. To the human user, the environment or everyday things become the user interface. All in one computing systems are substituted by specialized, well-designed appliances. The user no longer has the feeling to interact with a computing system but with common everyday objects in his environment.

Project Description:

Especially young people prefer colorful, interactive, so-called "new" media to books. This development coined the term "Zweitbuch" (in English: second book).

In the course of this thesis new forms of interactions with conventional books will be researched on and implemented. Examples are:

• annotation of the physical path a book took using Google Maps or Yahoo Maps
• addition of the experiences of book readers
• addition of "new" media to the experience reports (pictures, videos)
• extension of the interaction possibilities with traditional books with easy to use, value-adding or "fun" components

To deleop and implement this vision of new forms fo interaction, the following technologies can be used:

• RFID and NFC
• camera-equipped mobile phones
• Web 2.0 services as Google or Yahoo Maps or Flickr

After the development and implementation the system will be evaluated with "real" users. To achieve this, 100 used books will be set free. They will be released at different locations in Germany (e.g. Munich, Brunswick, Bonn) using BookCrossing.com. In addition, 20 selected participants (non-natural scientists) will evaluate the system in a laboratory setting. The results of the lab and real-world study will be compared.

Work Context:

We offer:

• Integration in German, European and international projects
• Strong connection to practial problem domains and good industry relationships
• Creative and dynamic working context with a strong international focus
• Direct contact with the computer science institute and with the research group and its members

We request:

• communication skills, creativity, self and time management
• fluent German language skill, English a plus
• Willingness to acquire new knowledge and its application
• Personal initiative and presence in the research lab