Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!retina.cis.ohio-state.edu!kolen-j From: kolen-j@retina.cis.ohio-state.edu (john kolen) Newsgroups: comp.human-factors Subject: Re: Human Factors or also called Ergonomics Message-ID: Date: 12 Jun 91 12:57:09 GMT References: <1991Jun12.091705.2823@actrix.gen.nz> Sender: news@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu Organization: Ohio State Computer Science Lines: 23 In-reply-to: keith@actrix.gen.nz's message of 12 Jun 91 09:17:05 GMT After taking a class titled "Cognitive Engineering", I was under the impression that ergonomics referred to design under physical constraints of the users. Erognomic designs attempt to reduce strain and fatigue of the equipment operator. Cognitive engineering, on the other hand, attempted to design equipment with psychological limitations in mind. For instance, designing a light switch panel so to match the arrangements of lights in a room lessens the burden of figuring out which switch goes with which light. Finally, human factors was the combination of the two: designing artifacts that people can use comfortably and competently. I'm just a spectator of this field so any comments and clarifications are welcome. John Kolen -- John Kolen (kolen-j@cis.ohio-state.edu)|computer science - n. A field of study Laboratory for AI Research |somewhere between numerology and The Ohio State Univeristy |astrology, lacking the formalism of the Columbus, Ohio 43210 (USA) |former and the popularity of the latter