Rui José received his PhD degree in Computer Science (Distributed Systems) from Lancaster University, UK, and since then he has been actively involved in the field of ubiquitous computing, having lead several projects in the area. His current research interests include systems software for smart spaces, interaction design for ubiquitous computing applications, and particularly situated displays. He is the coordinator of the Research Program on Situated Displays for Smart Places, a multi-disciplinary long-term initiative that aims to develop and evaluate new concepts of situated displays as shared, networked, pro-active and strongly situated information artefacts. Instant places is part of that program and is an ongoing research work exploring new mechanisms for social interaction around displays.