ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914464

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The term ‘user-friendly’ is now widely used in connection with the design of computer systems. This paper argues that as at present defined, explicitly or through common usage, the concept is not helpful to system designers. A critical examination of a typical definition is used to show that whilst elements of the concept represent reasonable aims, each requires significant modification and/or extension. No redefinition of the term ‘user-friendly’ is offered, nor any alternative term proposed; it is argued that a broader set of. criteria is needed to express the aspirations revealed by its widespread use. Prominence is given to changes in approaches to software interface design that might result from giving greater consideration to some factors in system use which at present receive comparatively little attention.

ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914465

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The purpose of the present study was to investigate dimensions of secretarial anxiety, eagerness, and curiosity with respect to word processing equipment. Such variables as familiarity, formal training, physical proximity to the equipment, degree of influence in the decision to acquire a word processor, and frequency of use were seen as potential predictors of such attitudes. Additionally, two trait-like dimensions were measured, locus of control and complexity. Questionnaires were sent to 408 secretaries employed at a mid-western university. The response rate was 59 per cent (n = 241). People who had not used word processing equipment were more anxious than those individuals who had. Moreover, frequency of use for people with experience was related to greater change in anxiety levels. While familiarity reduced anxiety, it also tended to reduce curiosity. Frequency of word processor use was related to several variables. For instance, frequency of use was related to how positively the person evaluated the processor as affecting their work capabilities. Heavy users felt that the manuals were less helpful. Internally controlled individuals were more eager, curious and less anxious, while cognitively complex individuals were more curious about word processors. The applied implications of the findings are discussed.

ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914466

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

We describe improvements to the recognition performance of a simple commercial speech recognizer. Topics include the selection of acoustically distinct words; a method of ‘training’ (storing utterances for later use as templates) which mimics the real task, and therefore reduces the difference in diction between training and task; the representation of variability in diction by storing repeated examples of each utterance separately, instead of using a simple statistical average; and the construction of an adaptive algorithm which updates its templates at appropriate moments. The results of empirical investigations with the adaptive algorithm show a very considerable improvement in performance. We argue that the development of speech recognizers has given the hardware undue attention, and that a rigorous attack on adaptive recognition, treated as a problem in control theory, would lead to a sophisticated interface to complement sophisticated hardware. The system we describe has.been successfully used in an experimental voice-operated text-editing system (Morrison and Green 1982).

ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914467

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

This study had two aims: (i) to document the problem of interface usability in terms of the users' views and (ii) to characterize the context within which usability operates by identifying the general set of variables underlying the attitudes of both users and non-users to the introduction of an interactive computer system into their place of work. The particular system studied included an interactive planning package designed for professionals with no programming skills. An in-depth discussion technique was used to collect the views of 16 professional employees working for a large local authority. A total of 440 ‘statements’ were classified in a hierarchy (main headings: pre-planning introduction; effects of the system; use of the system; assessment of the system; general attitudes). Twenty-seven variables (e.g. decisionmaking involvement; skill change; specialist language) and nine contexts over which they operated (e.g. computer applications; departmental relations) were generated from the statements. The study indicated a general problem of usability at the level of the interface, individual relations and group relations. Cognitive and linguistic difficulties in using the system appeared to depend on the command language, the type of user and the class of application. Selective issues are discussed including non-use of the interactive system; the role of the link man; the spread of computer knowledge and skills; and the extent of user insight. Further discussion centres on differing levels of impact, uses of the data and an evaluation of the studyapos;s methodology.

ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914468

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0144-929X    

DOI:10.1080/01449298308914469

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1983

数据来源: Taylor