[...]Thoughts on Cisco, Telepresence, and Reciprocity « Skilful Minds[...]…

One more point, and as I stated initially. The default point of presence in such systems, at least from a design point, needs to ensure reciprocity. Illusion seldom works in a consistent manner if it is not done on a stage. It is misleading, if not disingenuous, for vendors to sell telepresence systems “as if” they are stages for the illusion of copresence when in fact they are stages involving mutliple configurations that users can buy. These are very well known distinctions in the research on computer mediated communication.

These are very refined distinctions. I appreciate the feedback. I would agree with you about telepresence and full immersion, as long as the number of screens available in a “telepresence” meeting equals the number of sites involved in the meeting. Many configurations, I suspect, involve more distant sites than available screens. In that case, the “illusion” disappears and switching rooms in views negates the point you make about immersion, and the need for a reciprocity view still stands, IMHO. In my mind, this is more a point about the vendors’ failing to explicitly, and in their marketing literature, recognize the limitations of certain configurations of their technology as opposed to others. And, if purchasers of those configurations choose to ignore a recommendation for reciprocity from the vendor then so be it. However, I really wonder whether vendors even recognize, much less explictly discuss, those limitations with clients.

That’s not to say that the design couldnt be improved. Most telepresence rooms hardcode the typical meeting format: we’re going to get around a table and talk. Where is the whiteboard? How do we do post-up? Presentation is one thing, but co- creation and collaboration is harder. Would like to see this challenge addressed in next generation.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9573/prod_view_selector.html

If you take a traditional endpoint (all manufacturers are now all calling them “telepresence”) – most of them support multiple monitors, or an emulated dual view on a single monitor. This typically provides the local view you are referring to.

Now compare this to the larger “fixed configuration” of Cisco’s Telepresence, HP Halo, Polycom’s immersive telepresence. In all those configurations you are given fixed reference points – the table, the chairs, positioning of everything in the rooms. With these fixed reference points you should have enough self awareness to know things like “I’m slouching in my chair” (and that will look bad on the other side of the conference). Most of the elements in the room have the exact same common element on the other side – this is your reciprocity.

In your traditional conference room, where you’ve placed a VC unit on the wall (or some appropriate place), you will be calling a room different than the one you are in. This breaks the reference points contained in the telepresence suites – which is why those smaller systems give you the reciprocity.

I hope this helps your understanding.