| Editorial | | BIB | 1 | |
| Robert B. Allen | |||
| A Database Design Methodology and Tool for Information Systems | | BIBAK | 2-21 | |
| Roger King; Dennis McLeod | |||
| A model and methodology for describing the information objects in an office
information system and how such objects flow among the components of such a
system are presented. The model and methodology support the specification of
information objects at multiple levels of abstraction. An interactive
prototype design tool based on the methodology and model has been designed and
experimentally implemented. Keywords: Design, Models and principles, Database management, Semantic modeling | |||
| Cursor Movement during Text Editing | | BIBAK | 22-34 | |
| John D. Gould; Clayton Lewis; Vincent Barnes | |||
| Nine participants used a full-screen computer text editor (XEDIT) with an
IBM 3277 terminal to edit marked-up documents at each of three cursor speeds
(3.3, 4.7, and 11.0 cm/s). These speeds occur when a user continuously holds
down an arrow key to move the cursor more than one character position (i.e., in
repeat or typamatic mode). Results show that cursor speed did not seem to act
as a pacing device for the entire editing task. Since cursor speed is a form
of system response, this finding is in contrast with the generally found
positive relation between system-response time and user-response time.
Participants preferred the Fast cursor speed, however. Overall, more than
one-third of all keystrokes were used to move the cursor. We estimate that
9-14 percent of editing time was spent controlling and moving the cursor,
regardless of cursor speed. Keywords: Software, Miscellaneous, Software psychology, Models and principles,
User/machine systems, Experimentation, Human factors, Computer-human
interaction, Cursor, Engineering psychology, Terminal design, user interface | |||
| Query Optimization on Local Area Networks | | BIBAK | 35-62 | |
| Alan R. Hevner; O. Qi Wu; S. Bing Yao | |||
| Local area networks are becoming widely used as the database communication
framework for sophisticated information systems. Databases can be distributed
among stations on a network to achieve the advantages of performance,
reliability, availability, and modularity. Efficient distributed query
optimization algorithms are presented here for two types of local area
networks: address ring networks and broadcast networks. Optimal algorithms are
designed for simple queries. Optimization principles from these algorithms
guide the development of effective heuristic algorithms for general queries on
both types of networks. Several examples illustrate distributed query
processing on local area networks. Keywords: Computer-communication networks, Distributed systems, Distributed databases,
Computer-communication networks, Local networks, Access schemes, Database
management, Systems, Distributed systems, Query processing, Algorithms, Design,
Distributed query optimization | |||
| A Prototype Electronic Encyclopedia | | BIBAK | 63-88 | |
| Stephen A. Weyer; Alan H. Borning | |||
| We describe a prototype electronic encyclopedia implemented on a powerful
personal computer, in which user interface, media presentation, and knowledge
representation techniques are applied to improving access to a knowledge
resource. In itself, an electronic encyclopedia is an important information
resource, but this work also illustrates the issues and approaches for many
types of electronic information retrieval environments. In the prototype we
make dynamic use of the structure and semantics of the text articles and index
of an existing encyclopedia, while experimenting with other forms of
representation, such as simulation and videodisc images. We present a long-
term vision of an intelligent user-interface agent; summarize previous work
related to futuristic encyclopedias, electronic books, decision support
systems, and knowledge libraries; and outline current and potential research
directions. Keywords: Information storage and retrieval, Systems and software, Experimentation,
Human factors, Electronic books, Information browsing and viewing, Interactive
simulations, Videodiscs | |||
| Electronic Calendars in the Office: An Assessment of User Needs and Current Technology | | BIBAK | 89-102 | |
| Christine M. Kincaid; Pierre B. Dupont; A. Roger Kaye | |||
| Manufacturers of integrated electronic office systems have included
electronic versions of the calendar in almost every system they offer. This
paper describes a survey of office workers, carried out to examine their use
both of paper calendars and of electronic calendars that are commercially
available as part of integrated office systems. It assesses the degree to
which electronic calendars meet the needs of users. Our survey shows that the
simple paper calendar is a tool whose power and flexibility is matched by few,
if any, of the current commercially available electronic calendars.
Recommendations for features that should be included in electronic calendars
and automatic schedulers are included. Keywords: Software engineering, Requirements/specifications, Models and principles,
User/machine systems, Human factors, Information systems applications, Office
automation, Design, Human factors, Electronic calendars, Electronic schedules,
User preferences | |||
| Transportable Natural Language Processing | | BIB | 105-106 | |
| Bruce W. Ballard | |||
| Transportable Natural Language Processing through Simplicity -- The PRE System | | BIBAK | 107-120 | |
| Samuel S. Epstein | |||
| PRE (Purposefully Restricted English) is a restricted English database query
language whose implementation has addressed engineering goals, namely,
habitability, interapplication transportability, performance, and use with a
reliable database management system that supports large numbers of concurrent
users and large databases. Habitability has not been demonstrated, but initial
indications are encouraging. The other goals have clearly been achieved. The
existence of the PRE system demonstrates that an explicitly "minimalist"
approach to natural language processing can facilitate achievement of
transportability. Keywords: Software engineering, Distribution and maintenance, Extensibility,
Portability, Database management, Languages, Query languages, Information
storage and retrieval, Information search and retrieval, Query formulation,
Retrieval models, Information systems applications, Office automation,
Artificial intelligence, Knowledge representation formalisms and methods,
Representations, Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Language
parsing and understanding, Design, Human factors, Languages, Habitability,
Natural language processing, Office automation, Query languages,
Transportability | |||
| Transporting the Linguistic String Project System from a Medical to a Navy Domain | | BIBAK | 121-140 | |
| Elaine Marsh; Carol Friedman | |||
| The Linguistic String Project (LSP) natural language processing system has
been developed as a domain-independent natural language processing system.
Initially utilized for processing sets of medical messages and other texts in
the medical domain, it has been used at the Naval Research Laboratory for
processing Navy messages about shipboard equipment failures. This paper
describes the structure of the LSP system and the features that make it
transportable from one domain to another. The processing procedures encourage
the isolation of domain-specific information, yet take advantage of the
syntactic and semantic similarities between the medical and Navy domains. From
our experience in transporting the LSP system, we identify the features that
are required for transportable natural language systems. Keywords: Models and principles, User/machine systems, Human information processing,
Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Language parsing and
understanding, Text analysis, Languages, Natural language understanding,
Sublanguage analysis, Transportability | |||
| Portability of Syntax and Semantics in Datalog | | BIBAK | 141-164 | |
| Carole D. Hafner; Kurt Godden | |||
| This paper presents a discussion of the techniques developed and problems
encountered during the design, implementation, and experimental use of a
portable natural language processor. Datalog (for "database dialogue") is an
experimental natural language query system, which was designed to achieve a
maximum degree of portability and extendability. Datalog uses a three-level
architecture to provide both portability of syntax to new and extended tasks
and portability of semantics to new database applications. The implementation
of each of the three levels, the structures and conventions that control the
interactions among them, and the way in which different aspects of the design
contribute to portability are described. Finally, two specific, implemented
examples are presented, showing how it was possible to transport or extend
Datalog by changing only one "layer" of the system's knowledge and achieve
correct processing of the extended input by the entire system. Keywords: Information storage and retrieval, Systems and software, Question-answering
(fact-retrieval) systems, Artificial intelligence, Applications and expert
systems, Natural language interfaces, Artificial intelligence, Knowledge
representation formalisms and methods, Frames and scripts, Semantic networks,
Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Language models, Language
parsing and understanding, Design, Natural language lexical structures,
Portability | |||
| Problems and Some Solutions in Customization of Natural Language Database Front Ends | | BIBAK | 165-184 | |
| Fred J. Damerau | |||
| This paper is concerned with some of the issues arising in the development
of a domain-independent English interface to IBM SQL-based program products.
The TQA system falls into the class of multilayered natural language processing
systems. As a result, there is a large number of potential points at which
customization to a particular database can be done. Of these, we discuss
procedures that affect the reader, the lexicon, the lowest level of grammar
rules, the semantic interpreter, and the output formatter. Our tests lead us
to believe that the approach we are taking will make it possible for database
administrators to generate robust English interfaces to particular databases
without help from linguistic experts. Keywords: Database management, Languages, Query languages, Artificial intelligence,
Applications and expert systems, Natural language interfaces, Artificial
intelligence, Learning, Knowledge acquisition, Artificial intelligence, Natural
language processing, Human factors, Languages, Language understanding | |||
| ASK is Transportable in Half a Dozen Ways | | BIBAK | 185-203 | |
| Bozena Henisz Thompson; Frederick B. Thompson | |||
| This paper is a discussion of the technical issues and solutions encountered
in making the ASK System transportable. A natural language system can be
"transportable" in a number of ways. Although transportability to a new domain
is most prominent, other ways are also important if the system is to have
viability in the commercial marketplace.
On the one hand, transporting a system to a new domain may start with the system prior to adding any domain of knowledge and extend it to incorporate the new domain. On the other hand, one may wish to add to a system that already has knowledge of one domain the knowledge concerning a second domain, that is, to extend the system to cover this second domain. In the context of ASK, it has been natural to implement extending and then achieve transportability as a special case. In this paper, we consider six ways in which the ASK System can be extended to include new capabilities: -- to a new domain, -- to a new object type, -- to access data from a foreign database, -- to a new natural language, -- to a new programming language, -- to a new computer family. Special-purpose applications, such as those to accommodate standard office tasks, would make use of these various means of extension. Keywords: Database management, Languages, Data manipulation languages (DML),
Artificial intelligence, Applications and expert systems, Natural language
interfaces, Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Design,
Languages, Natural language, Transportability, User interface | |||
| Transportability to Other Languages: The Natural Language Processing Project in the AI Program at MCC | | BIBAK | 204-230 | |
| Jonathan Slocum; Carol F. Justus | |||
| We discuss a recently launched, long-term project in natural language
processing, the primary concern of which is that natural language applications
be transportable among human languages. In particular, we seek to develop
system tools and linguistic processing techniques that are themselves
language-independent to the maximum extent practical. In this paper we discuss
our project goals and outline our intended approach, address some
cross-linguistic requirements, and then present some new linguistic data that
we feel support our approach. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Language generation,
Language models, Language parsing and understanding, Languages, Interlingual
language models, Multilingual language models | |||
| Processing Manuscripts Electronically | | BIB | 233 | |
| Robert B. Allen | |||
| A Butler Process for Resource Sharing on Spice Machines | | BIBAK | 234-252 | |
| Roger B. Dannenberg; Peter G. Hibbard | |||
| A network of personal computers may contain a large amount of distributed
computing resources. For a number of reasons it is desirable to share these
resources, but sharing is complicated by issues of security and autonomy. A
process known as the Butler addresses these problems and provides support for
resource sharing. The Butler relies upon a capability-based accounting system
called the Banker to monitor the use of local resources. Keywords: Computer-communication networks, Network protocols, Protocol architecture,
Computer-communication networks, Distributed systems, Distributed applications,
Network operating systems, Operating systems, Security and protection, Access
controls, Operating systems, Organization and design, Distributed systems,
Information systems applications, Communications applications, Design,
Security, Autonomy, Resource sharing, Office automation, Personal computers,
Process migration, Negotiation | |||
| A Federated Architecture for Information Management | | BIBAK | 253-278 | |
| Dennis Heimbigner; Dennis McLeod | |||
| An approach to the coordinated sharing and interchange of computerized
information is described emphasizing partial, controlled sharing among
autonomous databases. Office information systems provide a particularly
appropriate context for this type of information sharing and exchange. A
federated database architecture is described in which a collection of
independent database systems are united into a loosely coupled federation in
order to share and exchange information. A federation consists of components
(of which there may be any number) and a single federal dictionary. The
components represent individual users, applications, workstation, or other
components in an office information system. The federal dictionary is a
specialized component that maintains the topology of the federation and
oversees the entry of new components. Each component in the federation
controls its interactions with other components by means of an export schema
and an import schema. The export schema specifies the information that a
component will share with other components, while the import schema specifies
the nonlocal information that a component wishes to manipulate. The federated
architecture provides mechanisms for sharing data, for sharing transactions
(via message types) for combining information from several components, and for
coordinating activities among autonomous components (via negotiation). A
prototype implementation of the federated database mechanism is currently
operational on an experimental basis. Keywords: Database management, Logical design, Data models, Schema and subschema,
Database management, Systems, Distributed systems, Information systems
applications, Office automation, Algorithms, Design, Languages, Management,
Office information systems, Distributed information management, Federated
databases | |||
| A Prototype System for the Electronic Storage and Retrieval of Document Images | | BIBAK | 279-291 | |
| G. R. Thoma; S. Suthasinekul; F. L. Walker; J. Cookson; M. Rashidian | |||
| A prototype system has been implemented for electronic scanning,
digitization, storage, retrieval, and display of images of biomedical
documents. Paper documents are scanned and digitized at a scan density of 200
picture elements (pels) per inch by either a high-speed loose-leaf scanner with
an automatic document transport or a book scanner with a manual book holder.
Each scanner employs a high-resolution charge-coupled device (CCD) linear array
operating at a sampling rate close to 10 MHz. The analog output signal of the
CCD array is digitized into 1 bit per pixel two-tone images by means of dynamic
thresholding. The digitized images are stored on magnetic disks to be
processed and will eventually be transferred onto optical disks for archival
storage. Existing on-line bibliographic databases developed by the National
Library of Medicine are used as directories for the retrieval of document
images. These images are displayed at a resolution of 200 pels/inch in both
soft-copy (raster-refreshed CRT) and hard-copy forms.
This prototype system, developed as part of a research and development program, offers the opportunity to investigate the areas of document image enhancement, image compression, and omnifont text recognition and to conduct experiments designed to answer key questions on the role of electronic document storage and retrieval technology in library information processing and the preservation of library documents. Keywords: Information storage and retrieval, Information storage, Information storage
and retrieval, Information search and retrieval, Information storage and
retrieval, Systems and software, Information storage and retrieval, Library
automation, Information systems applications, Office automation, Equipment,
Computer applications, Life and medical sciences, Medical information systems,
Design, Documentation, Library science, Document retrieval systems | |||
| Design Implications of a Task-Driven Approach to Unstructured Cognitive Tasks in Office Work | | BIBAK | 292-306 | |
| Sidney E. Harris; Harvey J. Brightman | |||
| Previous research in modeling office activities has been primarily oriented
toward office work that is structured and organized. In this paper we report
on efforts to develop a new methodology for needs assessment evaluation. We
use the Critical Task Method to identify the "bottleneck cognitive tasks" of
principals with an unstructured work profile. Data were collected on the
computer-support needs of faculty researchers, and the finding indicate that a
"knowledge-based" design offers the most promise for delivering effective
support. In addition, the systems design suggests the integration of text,
data, voice, and images. Keywords: Information systems applications, Office automation, Information systems
applications, Types of systems, Decision support, Artificial intelligence,
Applications and expert systems, Office automation, Management of computing and
information systems, Project and people management, System analysis and design,
Design, Management, Methodology, Models of work, Problem solving, Tools | |||
| Usage Patterns in an Integrated Voice and Data Communications System | | BIBAK | 307-314 | |
| Robert T. Nicholson | |||
| Recently, office communication systems have begun to integrate voice
recordings into their mail and data communications facilities. The study of
usage patterns on one such system shows that voice is used for informal,
person-to-person communications, as opposed to the formal content of typed
messages. Voice messages are generally sent to fewer recipients (often only
one), and sometimes replace face-to-face meetings. Keywords: Models and principles, User/machine systems, Human factors, Information
systems applications, Office automation, Information systems applications,
Communications applications, Electronic mail, Design, Human factors, Electronic
mail, Voice communications | |||
| An Imperative Sentence Processor for Voice Interactive Office Applications | | BIBAK | 321-346 | |
| Alan W. Biermann; Linda Fineman; Kermit C. Gilbert | |||
| An imperative sentence processor that enables a user to manipulate text with
connected speech and touch-graphics input is described. The processor includes
capabilities to follow dialogue focus, execute a variety of imperative
commands, and handle nested noun groups, pronouns, and other phenomena. A
micromodel of the system, giving enough of the structure to enable the reader
to observe internal mechanisms in considerable detail, is included. This
processor is designed to be transportable to a number of other office
automation domains such as calendar management, message-passing, and desk
calculation. Various examples and statistics related to its behavior in the
text manipulation application are given. The system has been implemented in
PASCAL and can run on any machine that supports this language. Keywords: Information systems applications, Office automation, Word processing,
Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Language models, Language
parsing and understanding, Speech recognition and understanding, Text
processing, Text editing, Human factors, Languages, Computational linguistics,
Voice interactive systems | |||
| Document Architecture and Text Formatting | | BIBAK | 347-369 | |
| Arno J. H. M. Peels; Norbert J. M. Janssen; Wop Nawijn | |||
| The formalization of the architecture of documents and text formatting are
the central issues of this paper. Besides a fundamental and theoretical
approach toward these topics, and overview is presented of the COBATEF system.
The COBATEF system is a context-based text formatting system, for which a
software, as well as a hardware, implementation is available.
A unique feature of the system is its automatic text-element recognition mechanism, which is context based and consequently takes advantage of the implicit structure of text. A predefined layout for each type of text element then opens the way for a fully automatic text-processing system in which user control information can be reduced to an absolute minimum. Keywords: Information systems applications, Office automation, Artificial
intelligence, Applications and expert systems, Office automation, Artificial
intelligence, Natural language processing, Text analysis, Text processing,
Document preparation, Design, Languages, Management, Automatic text element
recognition, Document architecture, Formatting, Information streams,
Typesetting | |||
| Productivity Trends in Certain Office-Intensive Sectors of the U.S. Federal Government | | BIBAK | 370-379 | |
| Raymond R. Panko | |||
| It is often said that office productivity is virtually stagnant, increasing
only about 4 percent every 10 years. The methodology used to estimate this 4
percent figure is examined and found to be inaccurate! There is no known way to
estimated overall national office productivity trends. Productivity trends in
a single part of the economy, however, can be examined, namely,
office-intensive sectors of the U.S. federal government. Productivity in these
sectors is found to be anything but stagnant, having increased 1.7 percent
annually from 1967 to 1981 and 3.0 percent annually from 1977 through 1981. Keywords: Computers and society, General, Computers and society, Organizational
impacts, Economics, Measurement, Performance, Labor productivity, Office
productivity | |||
| DITROFF/FFORTID, An Adaptation of the UNIX DITROFF for Formatting Bidirectional Text | | BIBAK | 380-397 | |
| Cary Buchman; Daniel M. Berry; Jakob Gonczarowski | |||
| DITROFF/FFORTID, a collection of pre- and postprocessors for the UNIX
DITROFF (Device Independent Typesetter RunOFF) is described. DITROFF/FFORTID
permits formatting of text involving a mixture of languages written from left
to right and from right to left, such as English and Hebrew. The programs are
table driven or macro-generated to permit them to be used for any languages
written from left to right and from right to left so long as fonts with the
proper character sets can be mounted on a typesetting device supported by
DITROFF. The preprocessors are set up to permit phonetic, unidirectional input
of all of the alphabets needed using only the two alphabets (each case counts
as an alphabet) available on the input device. These macro-generated
preprocessors can be adjusted to the user's pronunciation, the language's rules
about a letter's form, depending on its position in the word, and the language
of the user's input keyboard. The postprocessor is set up to properly change
direction of formatting when the text switches to a language written in a
different direction. The collection of programs is also designed to allow use
of any of DITROFF's preprocessors, such as PIC, EQN, TBL and the various device
drivers. Keywords: Information systems applications, Office automation, Word processing, Text
processing, Document preparation, Format and notation, Design, Human factors,
Languages, Bidirectional text, Bidirectional formatting, Macro, Preprocessor,
Postprocessor | |||
| Ensuring the Court Admissibility of Computer-Generated Records | | BIBAK | 398-412 | |
| Roger King; Carolyn Stanley | |||
| An informal methodology is described for optimizing the likelihood of
computer-generated records being admissible in a U.S. court of law. This
methodology is intended for individuals who are converting to automated office
procedures, as well as for those whose businesses are already highly
computerized. However, this paper does not purport to be a formal legal guide;
rather, it is intended as an overview of this issue. Keywords: Computer applications, Administrative data processing, Law, Legal aspects,
Evidence, Records | |||