Showing papers on "User modeling published in 1993"

A Small Matter of Programming: Perspectives on End User Computing

Abstract: From the Publisher: A Small Matter of Programming asks why it has been so difficult for end users to command programming power and explores the problems of end-user-driven application development that must be solved to afford end users greater computational power. Drawing on empirical research on existing end user systems, the book analyzes cognitive, social, and technical issues of end user programming. In particular, it examines the importance of task-specific programming languages, visual application frameworks, and collaborative work practices for end user computing with the goal of helping the designers and programmers understand and better satisfy the needs of end users who want the capability to create, customize, and extend their applications software. The ideas in the book are based on the author's research on two successful end user programming systems - spreadsheets and CAD systems - as well as other empirical research. Nardi concentrates on broad issues in end user programming, especially end users' strengths and problems, introducing tools and techniques as they are related to higher-level user issues.

Iterative user-interface design

Abstract: A method for developing user interfaces by refining them iteratively over several versions is presented. Each iteration is subjected to user testing or other usability-evaluation methods designed to uncover usability problems. This method not only eliminates problems of this nature, but also allows designers to take advantage of any insights into user needs that emerge from the tests. The author describes four case studies where the median improvement in overall usability from the first to the last iteration was 165%, and the median improvement per iteration was 38%. >

Automatic electronic messaging system with feedback and work flow administration

Abstract: A rule based electronic messaging system with a facility for automatically running a user's rules under system control without need for user intervention or attendance, having a feedback mechanism which reports status relating to users automatically processed. System status reporting or feedback can be used for workflow administration or routing. A controller utility accesses a user-list-file with the user name of every "user" whose messages are to be automatically, periodically processed. Upon accessing the user-list-file, a user name is selected and that user's copy of the mail messaging facility is started. The controller runs that user's rules against that user's messages and effects processing of the messages accordingly. Status information is reported and rules can be invoked as a function of the status reporting. A dedicated rule server can be implemented wherein the feedback information is used for work flow administration.

Exploring individual user satisfaction within user-led development

Abstract: User-led development is gaining popularity with organizations wishing to increase user involvement and control. Typically in this approach a small group of users is given the responsibility for managing the project and representing the user community in determining requirements, testing, training, and system implementation. This paper explores the end user's perception of the quality of his or her representation and satisfaction with the application system within an organization employing user-led development. The end-user communities for two systems developed in a large Australian government corporation were surveyed. The results indicate that the user perception of representation is the most significant influence on user satisfaction-the correlation scores for the two systems studied were in excess of 0.6. Also of importance is the user's perception of management support. Both systems recorded a low average score for user representativeness (2.5 and 2.7), which is attributed in part to the large number and geographic spread of the users and to the approach adopted by the user representatives in the user-led development team.

Generating user interfaces from data models and dialogue net specifications

Abstract: A method and a set of supporting tools have been developed for an improved integration of user interface design with software engineering methods and tools. Animated user interfaces for database-oriented applications are generated from an extended data model and a new graphical technique for specifying dialogues. Based on views defined for the data model, an expert system uses explicit design rules derived from existing guidelines for producing the static layout of the user interface. A petri net based technique called dialogue nets is used for specifying the dynamic behaviour. Output is generated for an existing user interface management system. The approach supports rapid prototyping while using the advantages of standard software engineering methods.

Applying user modeling to human-computer interaction design

Abstract: Since the early 1980's, intelligent and adaptive systems have appeared and have been written about in a variety of guises. Although there are many differences between such systems as adaptive user interfaces, intelligent help systems and explanation systems, there are many similarities as well. The most notable of these is that they all require user models to be maintained and exploited as part of their designs. Furthermore, they share the same high level architecture. This paper discusses the use of models in human-computer interaction design and offers a common architecture for these adaptive systems. A methodology for the development of these systems is presented.

User modelling for adaptive computer systems: a survey of recent developments

Abstract: User modelling is becoming an important sub-area of Artificial Intelligence with both theoretical and practical consequences. The theoretical foundations of user modelling are to be found in key areas of AI, such as knowledge representation and plan recognition, while its practical applications impinge on the construction of intelligent user interfaces and adaptive systems. This paper provides a survey of current work in user modelling. The paper begins by distinguishing between AI approaches, which are the subject of this survey, and those of HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) and then considers the major issues in user modelling such as: types of user modelling system, the sorts of information modelled, how the information is acquired, represented and used. The paper concludes by examining some of the more problematic aspects of user modelling as well as indicating areas for future research.

Automatic invocation of computational resources without user intervention

Abstract: A system is described for automatically invoking computational resources without intervention or request from a user of the system. In the system a query-free information retrieval system is described in which the exact technical documentation contained in existing user or other technical manuals is provided to a user investigating apparatus having a fault. The user enters symptoms based upon the user's analysis of the apparatus, and in response the system provides information concerning likely faults with the apparatus. As the symptoms are entered, the relative value of individual faults is determined and related to the symptoms they cause. The user can then select technical information relating to probable faults in the system.

A user model neural network for a personal news service

Abstract: User modelling has been widely applied to pedantic situations, where we are attempting to infer the user's knowledge. In teaching it is important to know that the user has mastered the elementary concepts before proceeding with the advanced topics. However, the application of user modelling to information retrieval demands a quite different type of user model. Here we construct a user model for browsing, where the user is uncertain of exactly which information he desires. This requires a more inexact and robust user model, that can quickly give guidance to the system. We propose a user model based on neural networks that can be constructed incrementally. Performance of the model shows some promise for this approach. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the approach and its implications for user modelling.

Software agents: completing patterns and constructing user interfaces

Abstract: To support the goal of allowing users to record and retrieve information, this paper describes an interactive note-taking system for pen-based computers with two distinctive features. First, it actively predicts what the user is going to write. Second, it automatically constructs a custom, button-box user interface on request. The system is an example of a learning-apprentice software-agent. A machine learning component characterizes the syntax and semantics of the user's information. A performance system uses this learned information to generate completion strings and construct a user interface.

Doppelgänger goes to school : machine learning for user modeling

Abstract: Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1993.

AMME: an Automatic Mental Model Evaluation to analyse user behaviour traced in a finite, discrete state space.

Abstract: To support the human factors engineer in designing a good user interface, a method has been developed to analyse the empirical data of the interactive user behaviour traced in a finite discrete state space. The sequences of actions produced by the user contain valuable information about the mental model of this user, the individual problem solution strategies for a given task and the hierarchical structure of die task-subtasks relationships. The presented method, AMME, can analyse the action sequences and automatically generate (1) a net description of the task dependent model of die user, (2) a complete state transition matrix, and (3) various quantitative measures of the user's task solving process. The behavioural complexity of task-solving processes carried out by novices has been found to be significantly larger than the complexity of task-solving processes carried out by experts.

User modelling in text generation

Abstract: This book addresses the issue of how the user's level of domain knowledge affects interaction with a computer system. It demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating a model of user's domain knowledge into a natural language generation system.

User Needs: A Synthesis and Analysis of Current Theories for the Practitioner.

Abstract: There have been significant developments in the study of user needs during the last twenty years. This paper examines, synthesizes, and, on a narrower scale, analyzes such developments in an effort to determine areas of con sensus in the field concerning specific aspects of greater interest to the practicing librarian. In an effort to shed light on consensus, the paper is organized into six parts: the user, information/knowledge, information seeking, using information/knowledge, the system, and future research needs.

User modelling in interactive explanations

Abstract: In this paper I consider how user modelling can be used to improve the provision of complex explanations, and discuss in detail the user modelling component of the EDGE explanation system. This allows a user model to be both updated and used in an explanatory dialogue with the user. The model is updated based on the interactions with the user, relationships between concepts and a reviseable expertise level. The model in turn influences the planning of the explanation, allowing a more understandable explanation to be generated. I argue that both user modelling and an “interactive” style of presentation are important for explanations to be acceptable and understandable, and that each reinforces the other.

Supporting adaptive interfaces in a knowledge-based user interface environment

Abstract: Developing an adaptive interface requires a user interface that can be adapted, a user model, and an adaptation strategy. Research on adaptive interfaces in the past suffered from a lack of supporting tools which allow an interface to be easily created and modified. Also, adding adaptivity to a user interface so far has not been supported by any user interface systems or environments. In this paper, we present an overview of a knowledge base model of the User Interface Design Environment (UIDE). UIDE uses the knowledge of an application to support the run-time execution of the application’s interface and provides various kinds of automatic help. We present how the knowledge model can be used as a basic construct of a user model. Finally, we present adaptive interface and adaptive help behaviors that can be extended to the current UIDE architecture utilizing the user model. These behaviors are options from which an application designer can choose for an application interface.

Separations of concerns in the Chiron-1 user interface development and management system

Abstract: The development of user interfaces for large applications is subject to a series of well-known problems including cost, maintainability, and sensitivity to changes in the operating environment The Chiron user interface development system has been built to address these software engineering concerns Chiron introduces a series of layers that insulate components of an application from other components that may experience change To separate application code from user interface code, user interface agents called artists are attached to application abstract data types Operations on abstract data types within the application implicitly trigger user interface activities Chiron also provides insulation between the user interface layer and the underlying system; artist code is written in terms of abstract depiction libraries that insulate the code from the specifics of particular windowing systems and toolkits Concurrency is pervasive in the Chiron architecture Inside an application there can be multiple execution threads; there is no requirement for a user interface listening/dispatching routine to have exclusive control Multiple artists can be attached to a single application abstract data type, providing alternative forms of access by a single user or coordinated access and manipulation by multiple users

The price of flexibility

Abstract: Flexibility and customizability are central to the perceived advantages of the growth in technological powers. But this and other vectors of t ethnological change, when used clumsily, create new burdens and complexities for beleaguered human practitioners responsible for achieving goals within some field of activity. “Intelligent interfaces” are sometimes seen as a solution to the growing demands of highly technological and highly automat ed fields of activity. However, data from a variety of sources indicates that a technology driven approach to the development of intelligent interfaces is likely to provide the illusion of assistance while creating a new layer of burdens and complexities. What distinguishes technological flexibilities that are used to increase the range of practitioner adaptive response to the variability y resident in the field of activity from technological flexibilities that simply create new burdens on the practitioner especially at high tempo, high criticality y periods?

Exploring the applications of user-expertise assessment for intelligent interfaces

Abstract: An adaptive user interface relies, to a large extent, upon an adequate user model (e.g., a representation of user-expertise). However, building a user model may be a tedious and time consuming task that will render such an interface unattractive to developers. We thus need an effective means of inferring the user model at low cost. In this paper, we describe a technique for automatically inferring a fine-grain model of a user's knowledge state based on a small number of observations. With this approach, the domain of knowledge to be evaluated is represented as a network of nodes (knowledge units—KU) and links (implications) induced from empirical user profiles. The user knowledge state is specified as a set of weights attached to the knowledge units that indicate the likelihood of mastery. These weights are updated every time a knowledge unit is reassigned a new weight (e.g., by a question-and-answer process). The updating scheme is based on the Dempster-Shafer algorithm. A User Knowledge Assessment Tool (UKAT) that employs this technique has been implemented. By way of simulations we explore an entropy-based method of choosing questions, and compare the results with a random sampling method. The experimental results show that the proposed knowledge assessment and questioning methods are useful and efficient in inferring detailed models of user-expertise, but the entropy-based method can induce a bias in some circumstances.

Acquiring user models

Abstract: Existing machine techniques for acquiring user models are characterized along five orthogonal dimensions: passive/active, user-initiated/automatic, logical/plausible, direct/indirect, and on-line/off-line. Passive techniques observe users whereas active techniques query users. User-initiated techniques require that users volunteer information; automatic techniques do not. The logical/plausible dimension measures the accuracy of derived user model data. Indirect techniques build upon data gathered by more direct methods. On-line techniques acquire user models in real-time during user interaction, while off-line techniques work after the user interaction is finished. Commonalities and differences in capabilities and features of different user model acquisition techniques are analyzed along the above dimensions, and the relationship of these techniques to similar techniques in other areas of artificial intelligence are discussed.

Can we formally specify a medical decision support system

Abstract: A description is given of the Oxford System of Medicine, (OSM) project, the goal of which is a decision support system (DSS) that general practitioners can use during routine clinical work to support such decision-making tasks as diagnosing illnesses, planning investigations and patient treatment schedules, prescribing drugs, screening for disease, assessing the risk of a particular disease, and determining whether to refer a patient to a specialist. The OSM consists of the following modules: a user model, models of the decision-making tasks, an inference layer, and domain models for top-down development of the medical knowledge base. An abstract medical knowledge model that deals primarily with the static part of the knowledge base, defining the types of objects this contains and their interrelations, was developed, along with specialist domain theories that help to maintain the integrity of the knowledge. The model provides a specification of what is required in the knowledge base. >

A user-centered approach to adaptive interfaces

Abstract: An adaptive user interface is supposed to adapt itself to the characteristics of an individual user. It is widely accepted that such an adaptation requmes the interface to maintam a user model embedded in the system. In this article an inspectable user model is proposed which gives the user an insight into adaptation strategies and underlying assumptions. It supports the user in adapting the interface and serves as an instrument for controlling automatic adaptations. The inspectable user model plays a central role in a user-centered approach to adaptive user interfaces. This approach, called Computer-Aided Adaptation (CAA), focuses on enabling users to express their needs and preferences more effectively, It aims to provide a better transparency of the adaptation process and LLndedylLIg user mcxdehng mechanisms. The user model is expected to provide the means for an implicit adaptation. And finally, the adaptation process itself should be made adaptive due to the users’ individual prerequisites concemmg adaptation. The ideas presented in this paper are the basis of a CAA environment being under development.

User-centered approach to adaptive interfaces

Abstract: Both adaptive and adaptable user interfaces are intended to fit the needs of individual users and their tasks better. A problem with these interfaces is that users must have and use additional knowledge, either to understand the automatic, system-driven adaptations or to adapt the interface on their own. Beyond these two extreme approaches, an automatically self-adapting system and a user manually adapting the system, the approach introduced in this paper strives for a third option, in which users are able to tell the system how to adapt itself. Accordingly, methods include adaptive adaptation (i.e. modifying the adaptation strategies) and implicit adaptation (i.e. changing the underlying models). The applicability of these findings is illustrated in the context of an adaptive action prompting environment.

User involvement in the design process: why, when & how?

Abstract: For years the CHI community has championed the importance of the user in system development. As many of us develop systems, we find that the concept of user involvement is not so easy to implement. Does one always strive to involve the user in the design process? Are there situations when the users should not be involved? What if the user is reluctant to change? How is user involvement handled when the user claims to know all the answers and wants to design the entire interface his or her way? What if the users, or even potential users are not available? How can user involvement be accomplished under these developmental restrictions? User Involvement, therefore, may be a goal - not a given, and how to effect user involvement is not as straight forward as the text books convey! To assist the process of user interface development, many techniques have been developed such as Heuristic Evaluation, Participatory Design, Cognitive Walk Throughs, Task Analysis and Rapid Prototyping. These techniques vary considerably in the extent of user involvement that they require. This panel will attempt to match the technique with the degree of user involvement that the developer is faced with or can achieve. The issues discussed in this session are important to the entire user interface community. Developers will be happy to hear that they are not alone; others have similar problems with users. They will learn which of the techniques are best suited for each development situation. Methodologists will gain greater insight into the breadth and depth of working with, and attempting to satisfy various types of users. They may be able to better refine the technologies we now have available to meet the needs of user interface developers. Members of the audience will be invited to participate as developers and methodologists.

Natural language generation and hypertext access

Abstract: An innovative framework is presented that responds to the needs of a user that may want to have punctual personalized information integrated with the possibility of accessing standard browsable information through the same generated text. An implemented system is illustrated for generating natural language texts immersed in a hypermedia network. The architecture of the system and the specific solution given to the various components and their integration are described: the strategic component and its relation to the knowledge representation and to the user model, the tactical component and its connection to the strategic one, and the hypertext manager that accomodates the new linked text. Throughout the article explicit reference is made to the implementation solutions adopted and to examples relative to the experimentation of the work as part of the ALFRESCO interactive system.

Common elements in today's graphical user interfaces: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Abstract: This panel will identify some of the similarities amongst the different familiar graphical user interfaces that make them seem so indistinguishable. This panel will then identify some of the similarities that don't belong in any modern user interface.

Optimizing Unix resource scheduling for user interaction

Abstract: Techniques for improving system responsiveness for interactive end users of Unix workstations are explored. After a discussion of the current state of resource scheduling, a model is presented in which dynamic input from the human user is combined with data from user interaction software to supply a centralized manager with the information necessary to determine what processes are involved with interacting with the user at any given moment. This service then communicates this process set information to the kernel, which uses it to manage memory and CPU resource allocation on the behalf of the user. Experience with a prototype of this environment is reported. An argument for an interactive scheduling class is made, along with other infrastructure changes needed to take advantage of it.