How long did it take to create?
One Year. The first theoretical
reflections on how ideal software should function in 2001
paved the way for the further design process, until we finished
the project in January 2002.
What have you learned about distribution
and dynamics of content on the Gnutella file sharing network
and the way people use it?
In a peer-to-peer protocol, the distinction
between client and server is no longer drawn. A dynamically
organized structure is temporarily set up. This constantly
changes, and the distinction between consumer and producer
is further blurred by decentralized structures. Both ensure
increased ‘production of information’. However,
the quantity and the kind of information are only meant to
be of secondary importance. The technical conditions for the use of file
sharing software are at stake here. It is clear that protocols
create information by the kind of access they facilitate.
Only information complying with the standard is routed and
recognized, and is made part of the network.
We have developed a software package
that takes data and produces a visual manifestation in order
to introduce transparency to computing processes and protocol
dynamics on the one hand, and heighten the sense of risk—inherent
in computing and decision making, on the other. The visual
operating interface displays only one of several possible
‘test beds’. It is meant to direct (and entice)
the user to observe processes, and to select and exchange
data, so that criteria—that will have an impact on the
access to information, as well as its production and dissemination—can
be discovered or developed. For the development of knowledge
on a digital basis, this study merely constitutes as an initial
attempt in the analysis of the processes in which knowledge
is embedded.
Do you see any parallels
in offline systems and the visual representation of a file
sharing network, that you’ve created with the Minitasking
application?
Mappings in general create
representations of space and time. They define your perception.
This applies similarly to digital, fictional, hybrid or real
spaces.
Do you think that the visual representation of network transfers will scare
music and software industry people even more? What kind of feedback have you
received?
We don’t think so. No one
has contacted us until now, because to the music and software
industry we are only distributing another Gnutella client.
They target their attacks more on the whole network with fake
files, such as the famous Eminem case which took place earlier
this year.
Where would you like
to see Minitasking go? Are there other applications that you
are planning to build?
Yahoo lists Minitasking in the file sharing directory, which
means to non-experienced computer users, it appears as a funky
way to share files. We liked that. Others asked us if it contains
spyware. That shows they take it for real.
Currently we are developing a visual text tool, to read and
edit big amounts of text in an online environment.
When will we see a Mac OS version?
The Mac OS X Version is delayed until Macromedia releases
a faster implementation of the Flash Player, because Minitasking
is a hybrid consisting of Java and Flash. Anyone want
to help us make it a Java-only build?
Thank you both very much+
Minitasking |
