faq ...
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What is the difference between offline mode and live event mode?
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Why am I having trouble using the system from my 56k modem?
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Are there any system requirement to participate?
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Why did I get logged out of the system?
- You forgot to vote during last ten "election" cycles
- You logged in on multiple machines simultaneously
- Someone
else is trying to use the system with the same password
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Why doesn't the system work properly in Netscape?
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I'm still unsure how this is supposed to work. Can I get a description with examples?
Live event mode refers to the mode that tele-actor is available for voters to control. In this mode, system updates the voting image every 6~10 seconds, which is captured in real time from the camera mounted on tele-actor's hat. Unfortunately, tele-actor can not be online every day due to resource limit. Most of time, system runs on pre-stored images that is called offline mode. Offline mode provides an opportunity for voter to familarize with our system. We announce live event through our website. If you are interested in joining our live event, please check our website periodically or subscribe to our email list when you register to our system.
We are aware of the problem: with a 56k modem, it takes longer to upload the image updates. You can only refresh 5 or 6 times during an election. We will address this in future versions. If you vote early in the election cycle you'll make sure your votel appears in the shared image before the election is over.
The Tele-Actor interface works best when you have a broadband connection (DSL, Cable Modem, T1 etc.). Image updates can be slow even on a 56k modem (our next version will address that). Also, we've found that the system seems works best using Internet Explorer 5.0 and above.
It is unfortunate that you were kicked off the system. It might be because
We are aware that there may still be compatibility issues with some browsers. For best results, we recommend Netscape 4.7x and IE 5.x or above
Yes. Please see our Online Tutorial.
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What's new about the Tele-Actor system?
The Tele-Actor explores a new approach to telepresence and audience interaction
Software:We're developing a new interface we call Spatial Dynamic Voting. It is "spatial" because users click on images to indicate their responses, and "dynamic" because voters see not only their own vote, but the color-coded votes of all other voters, and they can change their votes in response to the others in the group.
Hardware: The images will come live from a wireless camera carried by the human Tele-Actor. Why not use a robot? Humans are more agile and friendlier, much better than robots in social situations.
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Why is the Tele-Actor interesting?
The Tele-Actor brings up a number of issues related to Group Psychology, how people interact and cooperate in social settings. How does applause or laughter ripple across a theater? How do riots start?
The Tele-Actor explores issues related to voting/politics, economics, peer pressure, market behavior , traffic patterns, consumer behavior, and the spread of epidemics and fashion (what Malcolm Gladwell calls "The Tipping Point".)
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Where did this idea come from?
Telerobotics dates back to the 1940's and robots are regularly sent into space, undersea, and into hazardous environments. These are operated only by trained experts.
The first Online Robot was set up in 1994, it allowed anyone online to control a robot, but users had to take turns operating it.
The idea of shared control grew out of our earlier UC Berkeley project win an online Ouija board. The Tele-Actor is part of a larger research effort at UC Berkeley and MIT. See Credits for more information and a list of everyone involved.
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What are some other scenarios where this Tele-Actor concept could be used?
Education: a group of students could visit a volcano or a Chinese village
Journalism: visiting an active floodzone or political rally
Entertainment: voters could participate in the Mardi Gras or Super Bowl
If
you have other questions, please email us:
ta-feedback@ford.ieor.berkeley.edu
