This week I want to talk a bit more in depth about the auditory
representation of data, something that we have touched on in class when
discussing ambient noise and the Sound of the Net website. Most of the
writings and research in data sonfication coalesces into the annual ICAD
(International Conference on Auditory Design) proceedings. The proceedings
from the 1996 conference -- the source for all three of this week's
readings -- are online at
http://www.santafe.edu/~icad/ICAD96/proc96/index.htm.
Traditionally, data sonification has been concerned with creating
interfaces for the visually impaired and for providing means of monitoring
data when the user's vision sense is otherwise preoccupied (as in a jet
cockpit or in a surgical environment). While none of the writings below
address ubiquitous computing, per se, I think the research suggests many
ways that we can reach the goal of an "invisible interface" with the world
in a future computing environment. Sonified data has many advantages over
visualized data that seem appropriate for an interface that has no physical
characteristics. I'd like to highlight some of the ways that data
sonification could benefit (and, in fact, could be inappropriate for) a
ubiquitous computing device or environment.
Data Sonification from the Desktop:
Should Sound be part of Standard Data Analysis Software?
http://www.santafe.edu/~icad/ICAD96/proc96/flowers.htm
[an introduction to current methodologies in data sonification]
Micronarratives in Sound Design:
Context, Character, and Caricature in Waveform Manipuation
http://www.santafe.edu/~icad/ICAD96/proc96/back5.htm
[a less technical investigation of the way sound works to create a
narrative/conceptual structure for the places we inhabit -- very
interesting as it relates to FCE!]
Artificial Sythesthesia via Sonification: A Wearable Augmented Sensory System
http://www.santafe.edu/~icad/ICAD96/proc96/foner.htm
[a short report on a head-mounted scanner that converts visual data
directly into sonic data]
There are a few reports in the ICAD proceedings on audio browsing of the
WWW. We can discuss these too, if there is time -- but I doubt there will be.
See you on Tuesday.
John Tolva
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net: jntolva@mindspring.com
web: http://www.mindspring.com/~jntolva
vox: (404) 250-0813
fax: (404) 252-1230
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