Wearable communities: Augmenting social networks with wearable computers

The significant aspects of WearCom design methodology that permits rapid prototyping of wearable communites to facilitate community building are discussed. Wearable communities enhance personal computing with continuously worn, intelligent assistants that augment memory, intellect and physical senses. Wearable communities are based on direct encounters rather than indirect, remote interactions. The WearCom wearable community design methodology facilitates application creation and provides a framework for investigating the social and technical issues involved.