November 13, 2003
Leonardo's Laptop
Join us at Cargill to watch a presentation by Ben Shneiderman about "Leonardo's Laptop." Ben is a keynote peaker and a highly regarded author and presenter on topics like design, innovation, and the future of computing. Join us for pizza and a video of Ben presenting his vision of what future uses of technology could be like. We'll also draw for a free copy of Ben's book by the same name, so be sure you're there for a chance to win.
During our business meeting we'll also conduct elections for the 2004 Chapter Council members.
Feel free to bring copies of any job openings, product information, announcements or other information you'd like to share with others via the literature table.
Session Overview
Ben Shneiderman, one of the nation's foremost experts on human-computer interaction and author of "Leonardo's Laptop," (MIT Press) spoke in Indianapolis, Indiana at a Usability Professionals' Association meeting for companies interested in solving complex product design issues. Wehave a copy of that talk reproduced as a video.
About "Leonardo's Laptop" (the book on which the talk is based)
Leonardo's humble start--
"Uniquely, he was able to see science from the perspective of an artist, to visualize art with the mindset of a scientist; and architecture with the mindset of the artist-scientist. If there is one simple defining skill that distinguishes Leonardo, it is this most useful of talents."
- Michael White, The Leonardo
Starting from this premise, Ben Shneiderman's book dramatically raises computer users' expectations of what they should get from technology. He opens their eyes to new possibilities and invites them to think freshly about future technology. He also challenges hardware and software developers to build products that better support human needs and that are usable at any bandwidth. Shneiderman proposes Leonardo da Vinci as an inspirational muse for the "new computing" and invites us to wonder how Leonardo would use a laptop and what applications he would create. Shneiderman shifts the focus from what computers can do to what users can do. A key transformation is to what he calls "universal usability," enabling participation by young and old, novice and expert, able and disabled. Raising larger questions about human relationships and society, he explores the computer's potential to support creativity, consensus-seeking, and conflict resolution.
About Ben Shneiderman
Shneiderman is a professor at the University of Maryland at College Park and founder of the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, and has been at the center of the digital revolution for the past 30 years. Shneiderman has also served as a consultant to Apple, AT&T, Citicorp, GE, Honeywell, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NASA and the Library of Congress. He is currently part of a research team working on a federally funded project to make government statistics published on the Internet more understandable and accessible for the public.
Meeting Details:
- Date/Time:
- Thursday, November 13th / 6:00pm
- Place:
- Cargill - Clearwater Campus, Minnetonka
- Address:
- 6000 Clearwater Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55343
- Phone:
- 952.984.5330 (before mtg)
- Hosts:
- Lyle Kantrovich - Cargill
- Speaker:
- Ben Shneiderman (videotape)
- Topic:
- Leonardo's Laptop & 2004 Chapter Council Elections
Agenda:
- 6:00 Networking & Food (a pizza & pop will be provided)
- 6:30 Business meeting - Chapter Council Elections
- 7:00 Video: Leonardo's Laptop
- 8:00 Adjourn / After-meeting networking opportunities abound
RSVP & Dues
Please email Lyle_Kantrovich@cargill.com if you plan to attend. Please indicate the number of guests, if any, you've invited.
Visitors and past members are welcome, but are asked to pay five dollars if they haven't paid chapter dues for the year.
Note that membership runs from January to December, so you'll want to renew your membership now that 2003 is here.
Directions & Map:
Note 6000 Clearwater is the dark brown building on the corner of Clearwater & Whitewater drives, next to a small pond. Cargill has three other buildings on Whitewater Dr. -- if you see those you went too far.
Meeting attendees will need to check in at the visitors' desk.
Driving Directions (from West / Intersection of 394 & 494):
- 494 South to Hwy 62
- Take the MN-62/CR-62 exit- exit # 13
- LEFT onto MN-62 E.
- LEFT onto Clearwater Dr. (the first road)
- LEFT onto Whitewater Dr. (the first turn)
- LEFT into the parking lot. (the first driveway).
Driving Directions (from East / Bloomington Strip):
- Take 494 West/North to Hwy 62
- Take the MN-62/CR-62 exit
- RIGHT onto MN-62 E.
- LEFT onto Clearwater Dr. (the first road)
- LEFT onto Whitewater Dr. (the first turn)
- LEFT into the parking lot. (the first driveway).
Help Spread the Word:
Know someone interested in usability?
Feel free to invite them to an upcoming meeting. Visitors are always welcome. Please forward this announcement to other area professionals who might have an interest in UPA-MN meetings or activities.Upcoming Meetings & Events:
Upcoming Meetings & Events:
- December 11:
- Accessibility Presentation - Location: TBD
- January 11, 2004:
- Testing the Experience Beyond Usability - Location: digital@jwt
- February 12, 2004:
- TBD - Location: Unisys
- June 7-11, 2004:
- UPA Conference - Minneapolis
Do you have an idea for a future meeting topic or know someone you think would be a good invited speaker? Contact Lyle (lyle_kantrovich@cargill.com) with your suggestions.