Pattern Languages for CMC Design

Dixon, Dan

Abstract

Three decades ago the concept of pattern languages were introduced in the field of architecture and have since become widely used in object-oriented programming and HCI. However their use in computing is divergent from Alexander’s original goals on two main points. Firstly, they were largely intended to describe the spaces formed by or for human activities and events. Secondly, they were intended as a way for professionals and lay people to communicate whilst designing buildings. Both these principles, a full appreciation of a wider human angle and the participative design approach, align themselves with the sociotechnical tradition and the design of social software. A pattern language created within a sociotechnical framework is therefore an ideal technique to help us design the next generation computer-mediated communication applications in partnership with end users.

Citation

Dixon, D. (2009). Pattern Languages for CMC Design. In B. Whitworth, & A. De Moor (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Socio-Technical Design and Social Networking Systems (402-415). IGI

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2010
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 402-415
• Book Title: Handbook of Research on Socio-Technical Design and Social Networking Systems
• Keywords: computer mediated communication, patterns, pattern language, design, HCI, socio-technical
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1001974
• Publisher URL: http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/TitleDetails.aspx?TitleId=504
• Related Public URLs: http://www.digitaldust.org/publications/Pattern_Languages_for_CMC_Design.pdf; http://brianwhitworth.com/STS/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : The full version can be found on the author's website: http://www.digitaldust.org/publications/Pattern_Languages_for_CMC_Design.pdf Other extracts from the book can be found through the editor's website: http://brianwhitworth.com/STS/