Discusses the role of hypertext as a communications medium and factors that must be considered in hypertext design and applicability. Implications of the division of labor in knowledge work and for our conception of literacy are addressed. (MES)

Issues and implications related to the use of microcomputers for providing practice activities are addressed, including which skills should be automatized, requirements for ensuring that a skill has attained automaticity, scheduling and amount of practice, and the type and use of data that should be collected on individual student practice…

Discusses the design and limited uses of the Pascal, MS-DOS, CP/M, and PC-DOS operating systems as standard operating systems for 16-bit microprocessors, especially with the more sophisticated microcomputers currently being developed. Advantages and disadvantages of Unix--a multitasking, multiuser operating system--as a standard operating system…

Presents an approach to microcomputer courseware design that follows the engineering systems model and discusses areas of expertise needed by courseware designers, key courseware design questions, the accompanying teacher's guide and its components, and evaluation criteria teachers need to remember before purchasing instructional programs. (MBR)

Recent improvements in the human factors elements incorporated in the design of personal computer interfaces are illustrated by detailed analyses of two microcomputers and their word processors (Osborne 1/WordStar and Apple's Macintosh/MacWrite). The vital steps in operation are described through analyses of the behavioral requirements involved in…

Representatives of six vendors of online library systems address key issues related to system performance: designing, configuring and sizing systems; establishing performance criteria; using benchmark and acceptance tests; the risks of miscalculations; vendor, consultant, and library roles; and related topics. (Author/EM)

Five library consultants address issues that affect online system performance: options in system design that relate to diverse library requirements; criteria that most affect performance; benchmark tests and sizing criteria; minimalizing the risks of miscalculation; and the roles and responsibilities of vendors, libraries, and consultants.…

Discusses microcomputer network benefits; points out their current shortcomings in the areas of software availability and legal use, required equipment, and vendor reliability; describes how to set up a worthwhile specialized network despite these shortcomings; and outlines reasons for expecting networks to play a larger future role in education.…

Description of database management systems for microcomputers highlights system features and factors to consider in microcomputer system selection. A method for ranking database management systems is explained and applied to a defined need, i.e., software support for indexing a weekly newspaper. A glossary of terms and 32-item bibliography are…

Addresses the problems of unsuitable physical layout of the visual display terminal, keyboard, and document holder and improperly selected office furniture by discussing a group of office products dubbed "computer furniture," i.e., terminal tables and furniture for peripherals. Purchasing advice is included. (EJS)

Provides a brief overview of videotex systems currently in operation and discusses an analysis of those systems in which the various features of the videotex user-system interface were identified. System design considerations for videotex are outlined and the results of the feature analysis of existing systems are presented in three figures.…

Discussion of online catalogs focuses on issues in interface design. Issues addressed include understanding the user base; common user access (CUA) with personal computers; common command language (CCL); hyperlinks; screen design issues; differences from card catalogs; indexes; graphic user interfaces (GUIs); color; online help; and remote users.…

A group of American and Japanese psychologists, anthropologists, linguists, and computer scientists gathered at the University of California, San Diego, to exchange ideas on models of joint problem solving and their special relevance to the design and implementation of computer-based systems of instruction. Much of the discussion focused on…

Designed to address the management and use of computer software in education and training, this paper explores both good and poor software design, calling for improvements in the quality of educational software by attending to design considerations that are based on general principles of learning rather than specific educational objectives. This…

This paper examines graphic computing environments, identifies potential problems in providing access to blind people, and describes programs and strategies being developed to provide this access. The paper begins with an explanation of how graphic user interfaces differ from character-based systems in their use of pixels, visual metaphors such as…