Experimentation is important for learning and research in the field of power electronics and drives. However, a great deal of equipment is required to study the various topologies, controllers, and functionalities. Thus, the cost of establishing good laboratories and research centers is high. To address this problem, the authors have developed a…

This paper presents low-cost experiments for a control systems laboratory module that is worth one and a third credits. The experiments are organized around the microcontroller-based control of a permanent magnet dc motor. The experimental setups were built in-house. Except for the operating system, the software used is primarily freeware or free…

Results of preliminary tests made prior and subsequent to the installation of a two-way interactive communication system which involves a computer complex termed the Local Processing Center and subscriber terminals located in the home or business location are reported. This first phase of the overall test plan includes tests made at Theta-Com…

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…

In order to show that a new type of programing for computer assisted instruction (CAI) is feasible, the SCHOLAR system was written. It is information structure oriented, based on the utilization of a symbolic information network of facts, concepts, and procedures. It can generate out of its information network the material to be presented to the…

The potentialities of specialized languages, in comparison to those of other types of specialized systems, are discussed. The point is made that these languages have been invented by information processing professionals in order to assist the problem-solving activities of computer users by providing them with appropriate interfaces to the…

This 21-paper collection examines various issues in electronic networking and conferencing with computers, including design issues, conferencing in education, electronic messaging, computer conferencing applications, social issues of computer conferencing, and distributed computer conferencing. In addition to a keynote address, "Computer…

This report describes the development of computer programs called user agents, which, through interaction with users, can either learn new facts and store them in a data base or learn new procedures for data manipulation and represent them as programs. These programs are written in RITA, the Rule-directed Interactive Transaction Agent system, and…

A system of computer-assisted data analysis (CADA) was developed at the University of Iowa to handle the mechanical, arithmetical and computational tasks associated with Bayesian statistical analysis. The original programs were subsequently expanded and a CADA monitor constructed to aid their use; a search was then undertaken to find a means of…

This paper explains DASM, a package of programs and routines for Direct Access Storage Management on 70/564 disc packs. Its basic unit of data is a record. DASM processes (retrieves and maintains) records by techniques which require the user to reference a record by its name (both record and file name). The steps through which a user can create a…

Man-machine interface, the concept of a computer "query," a review of database technology, and a description of the use of query languages at Brigham Young University are discussed. The pros and cons of end-user use of database query languages are explored. (Author/MLW)

Describes a technique for providing truly interactive online database searches for requestors from other locations by searching via telephone conference. (CWM)

Describes the "Capture Lab"--a computer-supported conference room designed to capture the thought processes, plans, and decisions of business teams. Discusses how groups have used this environment for collaborative writing. Shares observations of how users respond to the technology and how they learn to use the room. (RS)

This paper reviews the current extent of, research into, and future expectations for the use of online bibliographic retrieval systems by untrained end users rather than by trained search intermediaries. Six sections cover: (1) studies of direct end user searching, done primarily with students or persons in highly technical fields; (2) problems to…