Sensible, Sensable & Desirable

(Benford, Gaver et.al. http://machen.mrl.nott.ac.uk/PublicationStore/2003-benford.pdf )

The framework defines three different methods of constraints. Forming three overlapping circles. Although it was designed to fit physical interfaces it may also be applied to the structure of an interactive environment.
In the example of “Bits'n People” sensible would describe as a whole the many different activities of interest taking place in the classroom. Sensable would include all those that are possible to trigger via sensors, cameras or scripts. Desirable, in this context, were those that are of interest and usefull, before entering the room, thus creating a “virtual window”. Many actions are sensable, few sensible but only some desirable. Besides a variety of network activities, peoples actions and conditions in the room as temperature, lights being switched on or of, window blinds being closed or windows opened it describes what is sensible to know. Measuring the temperature within the room, might be sensable but is of no relevance from a content side and thus not sensible. Only where all three circles overlap, lies our area of real interest: Processes that are sensible, sensible and desirable at the same time.
This schema may be applied to many projects and support already the conceptual phase.
e.g. It would be desirable and sensable to know the exact number of people within the room, yet those people would have a strong feeling of being under surveillance and would reject the idea probably resulting in damaging the camera. Therefore fitting cameras into the room is not sensible.
“Sensible, Sensable & Desirable” is handy device not only to define the prospects of an environment to build but to categorise and understand existing ones.

This method was considered but not selected. The research took a different course. It remains documented for providing a research narrative and historical reasons.