This book shows why ethnographic approaches have been turned to in the
design of computing devices for the workplace, for the home and
elsewhere. It presents a history of ethnography, as it was practiced
before computer science picked it up and since, most especially in the
CSCW and HCI domains. It further examines the various currently popular
ethnographic or 'fieldwork' frameworks, explaining and examining what
each claims and entails. The focus of the book throughout is on the
practical relationship between theory and practice, a relationship that
is often misunderstood yet fundamental to successful design. The book is
illustrated with real examples from the authors' various experiences in
academic and commercial settings, reporting on the use of ethnography
before, during and after design innovation and implementation. The
result is a book that provides the working knowledge necessary for using
any kind of ethnographic approach in the design of computer
technologies.