Computers may not be able to master poetics like Aristotle, but they have become smart enough to know a metaphor when they see one. An online database called The Mind Is a Metaphor, created by Brad Pasanek, an assistant professor of English at the University of Virginia, is a searchable bank of phrases, verses, and lines from literature that…

It is proposed that the conversational language used in interactive retrieval systems should become standard, at least as far as the technical terms and symbols used by the user are concerned. If that effort is successful, a standards efforts in the area of a code of practice or recommended methods for operation could be developed. (Author)

A computer terminal network to enable "transparent stimulation" of the user of an on-line retrieval system has been designed, implemented, and pilot tested. Its basic purpose is to provide a suitable and effective framework and methodology for experimental identification/validation of those human characteristics which should be…

This discussion of the role and effects of microcomputers in the information industry considers technological advances of recent times and how they may affect the future. Complexity of systems and systems control, problems of communication (machine-to-machine, machine-to-human), spread of microcomputers, and information networks and systems are…

A common command language has been proposed for use by systems designers and those developing new user interfaces. There is controversy over the appropriateness of a standard command language, and those who are working in artificial intelligence believe that natural language interfaces will make it unnecessary for users to learn such a language,…

The purposes of this study are to identify and define viable remote browsing techniques and the requirements for an interactive medical information system that would permit the use of such techniques. The main emphasis is in the areas of: (1) remote viewing of page material; and (2) remote interrogation of fact banks with question-answering…

This investigation shows that search keys derived from personal author names possess a sufficient degree of distinctness to be employed in an efficient computerized interactive index to a file of MARC II catalog records having 167,745 personal author entries. (8 references) (Author)

Interactive systems must be designed to furnish error information to the user and must be able to accept a modification to the input and continue to cycle until convergence on the desired output is reached. (10 references) (Author)

Reports a preliminary investigation into the man-machine interaction aspects of online searching, including the methodology developed for observing and recording man-machine interface in the use of online information retrieval systems. Three references are cited, and a bibliography lists 16 sources. (FM)

The first of two articles discusses virtual reality (VR) and online databases; the second one reports on an interview with Thomas A. Furness III, who defines VR and explains work at the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT). Sidebars contain a glossary of VR terms and a conversation with Toni Emerson, the HIT lab's librarian. (LRW)

A user-oriented computer-based information retrieval system which would not require a computer specialist as an interface between computer and user was developed. The PLATO system was chosen because it was a high-speed computer-based man-machine interaction system with convenient visual display, keyset input device, versatile programing…

The contradictory nature of the phrase user-oriented interface (UOI) as commonly applied to retrieval systems is discussed, and a different approach to the problem made feasible through improvements in the technology is described. (Author/JPF)

Benefits of the proposed Common Command Language for online interactive information retrieval, which has been developed by the National Information Standards Organization, are discussed, as are remaining problems in cross-system searching. A summary of the language showing the functions performed by the various commands is included. (MES)

This initial article in series of three discusses barriers inhibiting use of current online retrieval systems by novice users and notes reasons for front end and gateway online retrieval systems. Definitions, front end features, user interface, location (personal computer, host mainframe), evaluation, and strengths and weaknesses are covered. (16…

Presents a nine point "User Friendly Index" scale used to describe increasing or declining degree of computer system friendliness. Terms to denote the user system such as intimate, friendly, cordial, polite, crabby, ornery, hostile, and vicious are discussed. Seven references are cited. (EJS)