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From: byrnes@ge-dab.UUCP (Arthur J. Byrnes)
Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech
Subject: Re: Just a test
Message-ID: <629@ge-dab.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-May-87 21:24:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: ge-dab.629
Posted: Tue May 19 21:24:37 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 23-May-87 04:25:35 EDT
References: <7585@orchid.UUCP> <3439@sunybcs.UUCP> <1767@kitty.UUCP> <312@phoenix.PRINCETON.EDU>
Reply-To: byrnes@ge-dab.UUCP (Arthur J. Byrnes)
Distribution: sci
Organization: GE Simulation & Control Systems Dept., Daytona Beach, FL
Lines: 34
Keywords: computers fright

In article <312@phoenix.PRINCETON.EDU> dykimber@phoenix.UUCP (Dan Kimberg) writes:
>In article <1767@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes:
>>	I am interested in human factors in computer systems design, since
>>some of my organization's work involves the design of industrial and chemical
>>process control systems, with such systems often being operated by persons
>>with "limited computer literacy".  I see very little discussion of this topic
>>on the Net, and what does appear seems to be scattered among various news
>>groups.
>>	Example problem: How does one design a process control human interface
>
>I'll second that motion for starting a discussion here - it's just too enticing
>It would seem that it's much easier for people to adapt to a system that makes
>some steps towards adapting to them, i.e. emulating what they already know. 

The biggest problem with technology training is that someone spends years 
in college and then thinks that he/she knows about the real world.
That 55 year old operator probably knows more about his job than 
anybody else, but because he is "uneducated" the designers
don't bother to consult him.  Many programs fail in real life
because the programmers have failed to look at real life and
learn the free lessons.   Other times programs fail because the
programmer doesn't take the time to develop an operator interface
that takes the human factor into account.  The risks forum has 
had many examples of what happens when the programmer doesn't
look beyond his own crt. 
(not a flame at programmers in general since I'm one too!  Just
thoughtless, ones.)  

                                             Arthur J. Byrnes 
UUCP:   ...!mcnc!ge-rtp!ge-dab!byrnes        General Electric
GEnet:  advax::byrnes                        1800 Volusia Ave, Rm 4412
Voice:  +1 904 258 2507                      Daytona Beach, FL 32015

Disclaimer; These views are those only of the author, Arthur.