Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!sunic!ugle.unit.no!nuug!ifi.uio.no!enag From: enag@ifi.uio.no (Erik Naggum) Newsgroups: comp.human-factors Subject: Re: Telephone - user interfaces Message-ID: Date: 30 Jun 91 00:15:43 GMT References: <20B8414w164w@mantis.co.uk> Sender: enag@ifi.uio.no (Erik Naggum) Organization: Naggum Software, Oslo, Norway Lines: 63 Nntp-Posting-Host: gyda.ifi.uio.no In-Reply-To: mathew@mantis.co.uk's message of 27 Jun 91 13: 21:12 GMT Originator: enag@gyda.ifi.uio.no Giving C News a *HUG* writes: | | > How I invoke those functions is a | > secondary matter to having them. | | No. Yes. _I_ want fuctionality. If _you_ want user interface first, go ahead. Invent the wheel with that attitude. You see, you need to interface to _something_, despite the loads of graphical user- interface software with nice exterior and nobody home. | > If I can't have them because some | > user interface creep decides that he has to invent another bloody | > user-friendly interface first, I'm likely to strangle said creep if I | > get the chance. | | Look, we already have phones with crappy numeric codes and two | hundred page instruction manuals written in half-translated | Japanese. I'm suggesting that the 99% of people who can't handle | such devices should be given an alternative. There are a few interesting recommendations from CCITT and other recognized standards bodies that you might wish to learn about. Most of these are quite easy to master (as opposed to "learn", which is a transient phase in any human being's development, anyway). There is the AT&T (BELL) command set, mostly in use in Northern America, the CEPT command set, mostly in use in _mainland_ Europe (I know for certain that UK is, true to form, ignoring inventions from the continent in this area), and a Japanese command set whose acronym I've forgotten. Contrary to what you and perhaps somebody else might believe, the telephone network providers have been working with user interfaces to their network for some time. They even write about it in books published regularly. The latest edition of their recommendations may be found in the Blue Book (or 1988 edition) E series recommendations from the CCITT (Comite Consultatif Internationale de Telegraphique et Telephonique -- The International Consultative Committee on Telegraphy and Telephony), located in Geneva. If my memory serves me right, you can write them at CCITT, General Secretariat 1, rue de Varembe CH-1311 Geneve Switzerland If that isn't right, the Swiss postal workers will probably get it where it's supposed to get, anyhow. You can also call less user- friendly institutions such as British Telecom, and request the E series recommendations from them. I've forgotten the relevant volume and fascicle numbers, as well as the relevant number of the recom- mendations. PS: See also my sizzling article in alt.flame to the less ingenious comments by "Giving C News a *HUG*" a.k.a. "mathew". -- Erik Naggum Professional Programmer +47-2-836-863 Naggum Software Electronic Text 0118 OSLO, NORWAY Computer Communications