Discusses proposals for more standardized practices in CD-ROM development, sales, and distribution. Topics discussed include availability of trial copies; pricing policies; installation, including software, instructions, and compatibility; interface procedures; manuals; and vendor support services. A sidebar discusses proposals being addressed by…

This paper presents a cognitive account of both the advantages and disadvantages of direct manipulation interfaces, i.e., the use of icons to manipulate and interact directly with data rather than writing programs or calling on a set of statistical subroutines. Two underlying phenomena that give rise to the sensation of directness are identified.…

Compares features of user interfaces for CD-ROM public access catalogs by six vendors: (1) Auto-Graphics; (2) Brodart; (3) General Research Corp.; (4) Library Corporation; (5) Library Systems and Services, Inc.; and (5) Marcive. Brief evaluations of the products are included, and detailed descriptions of each are appended. (MES)

Reviews current systems designed to help end-users search online databases without the assistance of an intermediary and describes a prototype system which emulates the Deco (the text storage and retrieval system used by Unilever) interface on Dialog and Data-Star. Initial trials of the prototype system are reported. (15 references) (MES)

Intended for potential business users, this paper describes the main characteristics of expert systems; discusses practical use considerations; presents a taxonomy of the systems; and reviews several expert system development projects in business and industry. (MBR)

More than a third of park and recreation agencies in a 1983 survey reported use of microcomputers. This article explores types of software and hardware favored in the recreation profession. Work processing, budgeting, registration, and inventory are some of the applications used by this profession. (DF)

Presents a concept of end-user query language with facilities for expressing relationships between objects kept in a database. The idea of nesting these features in typical document query language is shown. Examples of usage of these new facilities are included. (Author/MBR)

Review of computer software offering text editing/processing capabilities highlights work habits, elements of computer style and composition, buffers, the CRT, line- and screen-oriented text editors, video attributes, "swapping,""cache" memory, "disk emulators," text editing versus text processing, and UNIX operating…

Describes the Case Hierarchy, a model of the case system of unconstrained natural language, and ways in which the case system is specialized in a restricted domain. Results of a feasibility study which examined the utility of the Case Hierarchy and the Case Hierarchy Tool (an intelligent editor supporting the domain analysis process) are…

In today's technology-laden society human-computer interaction (HCI) is an important knowledge area for computer scientists and software engineers. This paper surveys existing approaches to incorporate HCI into computer science (CS) and such related issues as the perceived gap between the interests of the HCI community and the needs of CS…

This digest describes and defines the various components of an expert system, e.g., a computerized tool designed to enhance the quality and availability of knowledge required by decision makers. It is noted that expert systems differ from conventional applications software in the following areas: (1) the existence of the expert systems shell, or…

The automation of online order retrieval for Chemical Abstracts Service Document Delivery Service was accomplished by shifting to an order retrieval/dispatch process linked to a Unix network. The Unix-based environment, its terminal emulation, page-break, and user-friendly interface software, and later enhancements are reviewed. Resultant increase…

Examines general technical issues involved in placing latest computer systems, operable by end users in programer-free environment, at disposal of non-English-speaking users. User environment, classification of software products (token dependent, communications intensive, language dependent), approaches to bilingual software modification,…

Discusses the distinction between cognitive effects with computers, whereby an individual's performance is redefined and upgraded during intellectual partnership with the computer, and effects of computers, whereby such partnership leaves durable and generalizable cognitive residues. Suggests two mechanisms for affecting cognition: skill…

Discusses the importance of skillful visual design of computer screens and provides guidelines for screen design in the areas of information resolution, interaction of design elements, color, and typography and icons. (MES)