This discussion of factors involved in the presentation of text, numeric data, and/or visuals using video display devices describes in some detail the following types of presentation: (1) visual displays, with attention to additive color combination; measurements, including luminance, radiance, brightness, and lightness; and standards, with…

Identifies human factor issues involved in the student-computer interface in computer assisted instruction and makes specific recommendations for screen design. Factors considered include simplicity, spaciousness, relevance, standardization, changing display screen contents, color coding, shape and size coding, and brightness coding. (Author/LRW)

This document presents a discussion of the development of a set of software tools to assist in the construction of interfaces to simulations and real-time systems. Presuppositions to the approach to interface design that was used are surveyed, the tools are described, and the conclusions drawn from these experiences in graphical interface design…

This essay offers suggestions to make online public access catalogs (OPACs) less idiosyncratic and more usable. Discussion covers qualitative difference between online catalog and predecessors, challenge of debunking assumptions, skills for success, maintaining an instructional perspective, catalog development for the people by the people, and the…

Papers presented and summaries of discussions at a 3-day conference which focused on screen displays for online catalogs are included in this report. Papers presented were: (1) "Suggested Guidelines for Screen Layouts and Design of Online Catalogs" (Joseph R. Matthews); (2) "Displays in Database Search Systems" (Fran Spigai);…

Describes the design of a database interface for infrequent users of computers which consists of a graphical display of a model of a database and a natural language query language. This interface was designed for and tested with physicians at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas. (LRW)

Describes prototype system that provides retrieval from hierarchically structured full-text databases such as legal statutes and regulations and engineering standards. Enhanced retrieval is provided through integration of three different access techniques dependent on inherent hierarchical text structure: menu, Boolean combination of keywords,…

Reports on the Online Catalog Public Access Project, a survey of users and nonusers in 31 U.S. libraries conducted for the Council on Library Resources. Characteristics of users, tasks, library setting, and system interface that affect user satisfaction are identified. A 25-item bibliography and user questionnaire are appended. (7 references) (EJS)

An online library system is an example of a complex computer system in that it supports a variety of users, both patrons and staff, and is made up of many intricate programs with complex relationships among them. Certain features are essential to a user friendly system: (1) users cannot get lost in the system; (2) users cannot enter illegal…

Describes software for displaying documents on computer graphics screens which provide the opportunity for interactive user interfaces. Based on a software system called Guide, this new approach relies on advances in hardware, such as the CD ROM, and can be used in the front end of a document retrieval system. (Author/LRW)

Presents major outcomes of a 2-year trial of the Open University's Cyclops shared-screen telewriting tutorial system. Impact of the system is considered in terms of human factors of the technology; tutors' and students' experience with Cyclops; and tutorial activities and their acceptability to participants. (Author)

Intended to identify and encourage research, development, and applications of information retrieval, the principal objective of this conference was to provide an international forum to promote an understanding of current research and to stimulate the exchange of ideas and experiences in information retrieval systems. Introductory material for…

Describes application of instructional systems design, dialog design principles, and human factor considerations in developing the Pennsylvania Department of Education's computer-controlled intelligent videodisc system, which allows K-12 teachers to preview language arts television programs and overcome their technology anxiety. The top-down…