My favorite part of MoMA's current Talk to Me exhibit, although out of place amongst the "high concept" media pieces, was the 911 Command Center Radio Control Application. Designed by Philadelphia-based Electronic Ink, this is the best designed piece of software I've ever seen for use by emergency response personnel.
Your typical 911 dispatch center. MMMM, green MS-DOS...
Most computer programs you're likely to see in your average 911 dispatch center, police car, or fire truck are eerily reminiscent of MS-DOS. Luckily, Electronic Ink's program looks more like the love child of a Sim City-like RPG and, you know, some actual interaction design. The way the dispatcher can patch together different radio operators, putting firefighters in communication with each other or with police officers, calls to mind some of the physical processes behind the software. You can almost imagine the old-fashioned telephone operator sitting inside the computer switching the wires.
Initial mockup by Electronic Ink designers