ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the problems of man-machine interface in computerized information exchange systems that are designed to be used by the general population. Typically, user-interface-related development efforts were dedicated to the fuller utilization of the newest hardware capabilities rather than toward better compatibility with human thinking processes. Information management systems can rapidly organize, reference, research, and retrieve enormous quantities of data. The information-seeking interface may never quite understand the relationship between what users say or type and what they want, because natural language communications are idiosyncratic. The output from the context interpreter is used by the goal monitoring module, which is the central decision-making element of the interface. A telephone interface application would require both voice recognition and voice response units when fully implemented. Telephone interface implementation must account for the fact that, unlike a two-dimensional display with memory, voice output is only a one-dimensional time production, and the memory is that of the user.
