mathew <mathew@mantis.co.uk> (03/28/91)
REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION: comp.hci
STATUS OF NEWSGROUP: unmoderated
PURPOSE/CHARTER:
To provide a forum for discussion of general issues relating to
human-computer interaction.
HCI issues are currently discussed in a number of newsgroups, and are
relevant to discussions in:
alt.hypertext comp.infosystems
alt.toolkits.xview comp.multimedia
comp.cog-eng comp.software-eng
comp.graphics comp.windows.*
comp.groupware
HCI is an extremely broad topic. Examples of possible subjects for
discussion include:
* Design of keyboards, mice, joysticks.
* Choice of command names and parameter syntax, and the effect on
the number of mistakes users make.
* Design of effective symbols for communicating information.
* Control relations for scroll bars, switches and so on.
* Use of Agents for representing semi-autonomous processes.
* Use of colour in user interface design.
* Methods for prototyping user interfaces.
* How to evaluate the effectiveness of a user interface.
* Designing effective dialogues for interactive programs.
* Possible new forms of feedback -- sound, smell, touch.
* Customizability vs. stability.
At present, such discussions are scattered amongst the existing comp.*
groups.
WHAT THE NEWSGROUP IS *NOT*:
The newsgroups is NOT intended for discussion of topics specific to
particular window systems; such discussion should take place in the
existing comp.windows groups. Nor is it intended as a place where people
can preach the virtues of their favourite windowing system.
ABOUT THE NAME:
I dislike the term "HCI", however it seems to have become the accepted
term. Suggestions for more self-explanatory names would be gratefully
received.
PLANNED SCHEDULE:
1991-04-01 to 1991-04-30: Discussion period
1991-05-01: First call for votes
1991-05-15: Mass acknowledgement and second call for votes
1991-05-30: Voting closes
mathew
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