date> 2004

medium> dot-matrix receipt printer, internet connection, control box with programmable microcontroller and web server, software

dimensions> installation situations and dimensions variable

description>
PoS is a set of equipment and software that can be deployed in several possible configurations, each outputting a type of electronic communication through the particularly insistent speech pattern of the common dot-matrix printer. Like the commercial and computer apparatus that surrounds us, each part of which carries its own associations, the elements of this project are recombinable, providing opportunities to reflect upon the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate activities.

The hardware of PoS consists of a commonplace dot-matrix "point-of-sale" receipt printer and a control box containing a programmable microcomputer and web server, which are linked to the internet to receive various types of data, to be selected in each installation situation. The types of text range from a train of thought from a single person, to anonymous posted texts, to narratives or conversations. The hardware also has several possible installation configurations. , including: placement high on a wall, spilling into space; a kiosk/console printing receipts to be taken by visitors; facing a wall, with the output wallpapered to the wall; placed beside a cash register as an alternative output.

PoS shares some themes and technological solutions with other works of mine such as Prayers (1999), Relay (2004), and for you (1999). Like Prayers it gives ephemeral form to information flowing through our daily transations. PoS uses the mundane equipment of everyday commerce to give speech to private thoughts like Relay, though the latter specifically references systems of navigation and transportation. A previous internet project, for you, specifically requested members of the public to submit fortunes to be received by future visitors to the site.