Rick Borovoy, Brian Silverman, Tim Gorton, Jeff Klann, Matt Notowidigdo, Brian Knep, Mitchel Resnick

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce Folk Computing: an approach for using technology to support co-present community building inspired by the concept of folklore. We also introduce a new technology, called “i-balls,” whose design helped fashion this approach. The design of the i-ball environment is explained in terms of our effort to simultaneously preserve what works about folklore while also using technology to expand its power as a medium for community building.