http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1004 17th Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing (1980). Edited by J.L. Divilbiss. http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1115 Modifying and designing computer terminals to allow access by handicapped individuals Vanderheiden, Gregg In this paper, each of the three areas of handicap visual, physical and cognitive will be explored, along with the different approaches which have been used to provide access to textual information. Some of the approaches are simple; others are complex. The following section of the paper will then examine the practical constraints to be considered in designing public access data processing terminals. These include considerations and constraints experienced by both the user and the manufacturer. Finally, the paper will reexamine the various solution strategies presented in the first section in light of these practical considerations and constraints. Practical, low-cost, minimum modification approaches which best meet the constraints of manufacturers and users will be identified. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Public services (Libraries) Accessibility to technology http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1114 Design principles for public access Shaw, Ward Basically, the problem of designing an information system for public access is the same as the problem of designing any kind of system, and perhaps can be stated as a question: How do we construct or plan that interaction of hardware, software, people, and data that will be most likely to lead to a predetermined good or goal? Ideally, we should have a fairly good idea of what the goal is, an understanding of the mechanism of the change required to meet the goal, and a comprehension of the characteristics of the interactions of hardware, software, people, and data, so that we may apply those characteristics to the design and control of the events necessary to cause the change desired. Traditionally stated, this means: define the output, define the input, and then invent a process that will transform the input into the output. The trouble is that when it comes to the design of information systems, and particularly public access information systems, it is extraordinarily difficult to reach clear definitions of output or input; and, moreover, nearly impossible to define a process that will transform one into the other. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Public services (Libraries) http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1113 Resistance to technology: Some examples from the health care delivery systems Levy, Allan H. Understanding why people don't like something is like understanding why the dog didn't bark in the night. One is often looking for objections unspoken, fears unexpressed and concerns concealed. It is the purpose of this paper to attempt to explore some of the factors that are at work when radical changes are introduced into a new setting. I will try to separate problems that arise from changes we introduce from those that derive from external factors. Finally, I will consider some of the ways by which we cannot only overcome the resistance that we meet in users, but take advantage of it by extracting from it important information on improving the system. Health Care --Automation Resistance to technology http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1112 A study of the measurement of human performance Hewett, Thomas T. Meadow, Charles T. This paper reports on an attempt to measure the performance of users of interactive information retrieval systems. The subjects studied were end users of the information who were doing their own interactive searches. The measures consist of a set of computerized diagnostic procedures applied to the sequences of commands used in querying the database. These diagnostics trigger various kinds of messages to the user. Presumably, the frequency with which a diagnostic is triggered is an index of the difficulties which the user may be having in doing a search. Although the utility to the user of the information retrieved is assumed to be the best overall measure of search outcome, it is the manner of using the system, not the search outcome, which is the focus of this report. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Human computer interaction Interactive information retrieval systems http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1111 Machine assisted browsing for the naive user Fox, Mark S. Palay, Andrew J. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a radically different approach to the storage and retrieval of information can result in: (1) a reduction in the need for user sophistication in the use of information systems, and (2) the support of a browsing approach to information system searching. Our approach promotes the view that information system databases should be structured for people, not machines. Many of the problems associated with information systems occur precisely at the interface between the user and information storage. The purpose of the interface is to map user requests onto the database structure. The more "machine-like" the interface, the faster the mapping. As interfaces become more sophisticated (i.e., allow the user to express requests in a more natural form such as natural language), more processing is required to carry out the mapping. And as processing time increases, certain types of search processes (e.g., browsing) become increasingly difficult to provide at a reasonable response rate. Until the time when processing power can meet the real-time needs of system users, information system design and construction should conform to user needs, meaning that the physical structure should be tailored to the user's view (logical structure) of the database, reducing mapping and search time. In the following discussion, we will describe the BROWSE system, a database browsing system for computer- naive users. The primary application of the BROWSE system is to allow browsing access to the Carnegie- Mellon University Computer Science Department library collection, but it can be used for other applications, such as the automated dictionary. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Public services (Libraries) Browsing http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1110 Determining the number of terminals required for an on-line catalog through queueing analysis of catalog traffic data Borgman, Christine L. Kaske, Neal K. In assessing equipment needs for the conversion loan on-line catalog, the Dallas Public Library initiated a study of current catalog use, with plans to incorporate the findings from the investigation into its design and planning process. This investigation was limited by the available data. The data collected on current card catalog use were analyzed and used to project equipment requirements for an on-line catalog. Usage levels and patterns for the new catalog were assumed identical to those of the present card catalog. While there will be significant changes in both level and patterns of catalog use with the implementation of an on-line catalog, until such changes can be quantified there is no way to incorporate them into the study. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Public services (Libraries) Transaction logs http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1109 Public access at the University of Guelph Library Beckman, Margaret The central library building on the Guelph campus, the McLaughlin Library, which opened in 1968, now houses 1 .5 million volumes in 270,000 square feet. One of the design criteria for the building was automated circulation control, so that automated circulation became an important subset of the Guelph cataloging system, extracting necessary data elements from the Guelph master file of bibliographic records. Libraries --Automation Library science --Data processing Public services (Libraries) Library circulation http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1108 Interacting with computer users: Design considerations Avner, Allen Friedman, H. George, Jr. The design of computer terminals which communicate with naive users in a humane yet effective manner involves problems that are common to many applications. Interactive computers are being used as everyday tools in settings that range from airlines to zoos. The problems met by the growing use of computer terminals in libraries are seldom unique to that setting. In fact, the experience of the authors over the past two decades suggests the existence of a set of design problems that turn up whenever interactive computer terminals are used, whatever the setting. These hindrances emanate from inappropriate dependence on a few simplifying assumptions that make design easier at the cost of lowered effectiveness. This paper outlines six of these fallacious assumptions, describes the reasons for their beguiling attractiveness, and suggests alternative views that should lead to better design. Human computer interaction Interface design Usability http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1007 Index to Public access to library automation: Papers presented at the 1980 Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing Index http://hdl.handle.net/2142/1006 Front matter including Introduction and Table of Contents to Public access to library automation: Papers presented at the 1980 Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing Table of Contents