Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekcae.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!tekcrl!tekcae!mikem
From: mikem@tekcae.UUCP (Michael E. Meyer)
Newsgroups: net.wanted.sources
Subject: Help Systems
Message-ID: <149@tekcae.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-May-85 15:06:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekcae.149
Posted: Fri May 17 15:06:29 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 19-May-85 00:30:43 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 33

While at a university a few years back, our group developed an automated
consulting system.  This system allowed the user to browse through a
database (via keywords) of frequently asked questions and responses to see
if the area of concern had already been discussed with a previous user.

If the concern had already been discussed (50-70% of the time) then usually
that ended the situation.  If it was not, the user could then submit a
question to a panel of "experts" electronically, one of whom would answer
the question.  A copy of the question/response was stored in the database.

Of course, the database took some time to become really useful, but after
a few months we realized a SIGNIFICANT reduction in the face-to-face
consulting load.

I am not very pleased with the UNIX manuals system, particularly with the
lack of examples.  Other attempts at "help" systems, for instance
a menu driven category-oriented envelope around the "man" command, have
helped but we still have the basic problem.  

Am I the only person on the net that feels this way?  Have others
implemented an automated consulting system?  If there is a significant
response, I will be happy to post to the net...

Thank you,

Michael E. Meyer
________________________________________
USENET: ...!tektronix!tekcae!mikem
  ARPA:	tekcae!mikem.tek@CSNET-RELAY
USnail: TEKTRONIX, Inc.
	P.O. Box 500, MS 19-075
	Beaverton, OR 97077 USA
	(503) 627-2628