The US West Advanced Technologies prototype multimedia communication system

Abstract

The authors describe a prototype geographically distributed, real-time multimedia communication system currently in everyday use at US West Advanced Technologies. To test it, nine of approximately 40 researchers in the Science and Technology Division have been relocated from the US West Advanced technologies headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, to Boulder, Colorado, a distance of some 40 miles. After an explanation of the technical infrastructure of the system and some of the choices made in building it, the authors discuss some of the problems encountered and some of the lessons learned from this experience. The experience described is grouped into two main areas: (1) the engineering of the system, and (2) the behavioral and social aspects of using and living with the system.<>