bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hardware differences in the 9373 and 9375 processors
Authors: Curley Lawrence , Kuruts James , Myers John
Published: January 2007

In order to have a broad range of performance in processors, more than one model must exist. A family of processors infers systems with enough commonality that a smaller model can be upgraded to a larger one with minimum effort by retaining as much of the existing hardware as possible. This paper describes the differences between the Models 20 and 40, which have basically the same internal engine, and the Model 60, which has additional hardware to give it improved performance. The paper begins with a description of what cache and TLBs (translation look-aside buffers) are, and explains how they affect the performance of a processor.
I370 - a new dimension of microprogramming
Authors: Maergner Juergen , Schwermer Hartmut R.
Published: January 2007

The internal 370 mode (I370) is a high level microprogramming interface. It significantly improves microcode development productivity and portability.I370 is a subset of the S/370 architecture and has special functions for access to non-S/370 system resources. It facilitates the utilization of existing high-level languages for microprogramming.In general, I370 can be supported by any S/370 CPU, independent of its internal design and implementation. It is used in the IBM 9377 Model 90 system to implement major parts of S/370 microcode.
A compilation technique for software pipelining of loops with conditional jumps
Authors: Ebcioğlu Kemal
Published: January 2007

We describe a compilation algorithm for efficient software pipelining of general inner loops, where the number of iterations and the time taken by each iteration may be unpredictable, due to arbitrary if-then-else statements and conditional exit statements within the loop. As our target machine, we assume a wide instruction word architecture that allows multi-way branching in the form of if-then-else trees, and that allows conditional register transfers depending on where the microinstruction branches to (a hardware implementation proposal for such a machine is briefly described in the paper). Our compilation algorithm, which we call the
pipeline scheduling
technique, produces a software-pipelined version of a given inner loop, which allows a new iteration of the loop to begin on every cycle whenever dependences and resources permit. The correctness and termination properties of the algorithm are studied in the paper.
Operation scheduling in reconfigurable, multifunction pipelines
Authors: Walicki Jack , Laughlin John D.
Published: January 2007

One of the key issues in the efficient use of pipelines is the problem of pipeline scheduling. An overview of the research in pipeline scheduling is presented. The scheduling problem for multifunction, dynamically reconfigurable pipelines is studied from the point of view of retargetable microcode compilation. A modified greedy strategy using the criterion of the

earliest completion time t
c

is presented with an example.
Firmware approach to fast Lisp interpreter
Authors: Okuno H. G. , Osato N. , Takeuchi I.
Published: January 2007

Thc approach to speed up a Lisp interpreter by implementing it in firmware seems promising. A microcoded Lisp interpreter shows good performance for very simple benchmarks, while it often fails to provide good performance for larger benchmarks and applications unless speedup techniques are devised for it. This was the case for the TAO/ELIS system. This paper describes various techniques devised for the TAO/ELIS system in order to speed up the interpreter of the TAO language implemented on the ELIS Lisp machine. The technigues include data type dispatch, variable access, function call and so on. TAO is not only upward compatible with Common Lisp, but also incorporates logic programming. object-oriented programming and Fortran/C-like programming into Lisp programming. TAO also provides concurrent programming and supports multiple users (up to eight users). The TAO interpreter for those programming paradigms is coded fully in microcodes. In spite of rich functionalities, the speed of
interpreted
codes of TAO is comparable to that of
compiled
codes of commercial Lisp machines. Furthermore, the speeds of the interpreted codes of the same program written in various programming paradigms in TAO does not differ so much. This speed balance is very important for the user.Another outstanding feature of the TAO/ELIS system is its firmware development environments. Micro Assembler and Linker are written in TAO, which enables the user to rue the capability of TAO in microcodes. Since debugging tools are also written in a mini-Lisp, many new tools were developed in parallel to debugging of microcodes. This high level approach to firmware development environments is very important to provide high productivity of development.
Tuning architecture at run-time
Authors: Luque E. , Sorribes T. , Ripoll A.
Published: January 2007

We describe the structure and operational mode of a coprocessor system which, when incorporated in a microprogrammed syetem to carry out Dynamic Vertical Migration, improves execution speed for any program. The coprocessor includes an interconnection mechanism between the machine code and the instruction set microcode. The interconnections (Intermediate instructions) are created in parallel with machine instruction execution and so do not increase normal execution time. This intermediate code is stored dynamically in coprocessor memory, saving the fetching and decoding phases in subsequent executions, speeding up the execution of repetitive machine code.The coprocessor structure is organized around three basic elements: Interconnection Memory, Interconnection Memory Management Unit and Coprocessor Control Unit. A software simulator has been developed to analyse coprocessor behaviour and a theoretical model has been formulated from the results ot these analyses.
A computer aided design automation system for developing microprogrammed processors: a design approach through HDLs
Authors: Chen W. J. , Reddy G. N.
Published: January 2007

This paper presents an approach that provides a total computer aided design environment for developing microprogrammed processors using hardware description languages. This includes the behavioral description, micro-coding, and testing of the integrated microprogrammed processors. To illustrate the design procedure a functionally equivalent micro-coded version of the Motorola's MC6809 processor was modeled, and tested. The results indicate that it is a valid design approach. The micro control unit described through the hardware description language AHPL not only replaces the required microprogram simulator but also emulates its exact hardware. Here the micro control unit and the microcode are emulated and tested as a unit: in such the same way a real processor's micro control unit functions with its stored microcode. The emulated micro-simulator here is used for verifying the MC6809 microcode. It can, however, be used as a general purpose testbed for testing any microcode. The design procedure presented here is for the MC6809 microprogrammed processor, however, the procedure can be used to design any processor with user defined instruction set.
Graph based retargetable microcode compilation in the MIMOLA design system
Authors: Nowak Lothar
Published: January 2007

This paper describes a retargetable compiler, which is able to compile programs into the machine code of a specified hardware (target). The target is described at register-transfer structure level by module specifications and netlists. The program can be defined at several levels of abstraction, spanning the range from algorithmic description e.g. PASCAL) down to RT-level behavioural description. If the program is the complete target's behavioural specification the compiler can be used to verify the structural against this behavioural description.
On the combination of hardware and software concurrency extraction methods
Authors: Uht A. K. , Kolen J. F.
Published: January 2007

It has been shown that parallelism is a very promising alternative for enhancing computer performance. Parallelism, however, introduces much complexity to the programming effort. This has lead to the development of automatic concurrency extraction techniques. Prior work has demonstrated that static program restructuring via compiler based techniques provides a large degree of parallelism to the target machine. Purely hardware based extraction techniques (without software preprocessing) have also demonstrated significant (but lesser) degrees of parallelism. This paper considers the performance effects of the combination of both hardware and software techniques. The concurrency extracted from a given set of benchmarks by each technique separately, and together, is determined via simulations and or analysis. The "common parallelism" extracted by the two methods is thus also considered, using new metrics. The analytic techniques for predicting the performance of specific programs are also described.
Using mathematical logic and formal methods to write correct microcode
Authors: Shepherd David
Published: January 2007

This paper describes how "correct" microcode can be produced through the use of mathematical logic and formal design methods. The use of these techniques to derive correct microcode for the IMS T800 floating point transputer from a mathematical specification is discussed. This experience on the IMS T800 has shown that this approach provides the opportunity to produce designs with a higher certainty of correctness in significantly less time as compared with "traditional" design techniques. These techniques are currently being applied to the construction of correct specifications at the hardware description language level. This work is attempting to incorporate mathematical logic and formal design methods into the INMOS CAD system so that their use becomes the standard way of producing correct VLSI devices.
Training adult learners - a new face in end users
Authors: Scott Julie
Published: January 2007

Most people find the new age of computers both a blessing and a curse. While excited by the prospect of great quantities of information being available at one's fingertips, developing the skills and the tools to effectively access this material can be frightening and stressful. From this growth of data opportunities a new end user has evolved who is motivated by a different set of circum-stances than those encountered by users of the past. This new kind of end user is interested in learning and obtaining only the skills and tools needed for solving specific problems. Only when other problems arise which may need different skills and tools will the end user be motivated to learn and obtain them.
Automated disaster plan auditing using knowledge base technology
Authors: Simon Jonathan , Konstam Aaron
Published: January 2007

Management Information System (MIS) disaster and contingency planning are the principal ingredients for the success of a computer center's reorganization pending a system loss but there is is very little information published addressing the details of how to be assured of a proper backup and recovery strategy. Disaster planning is a phrase we are using to describe the act of preparing for a disaster, such as backup procedures, insurance acquisition, fire protection and maintenance of a contingency plan. The contingency plan, on the other hand, explicitly covers the recovery procedures, responsibilities, and supplementary disaster planning, that should take place once a disaster occurs. It should be clear that there is a cyclical relationship between these two tightly related planning functions. For that reason we will use the term disaster plan to refer to both disaster and contingency planning.
Overcoming computer phobia
Authors: Thompson Jean E.
Published: January 2007

After having worked in the College of Business computer labs at Pennsylvania State University for two and a half years, I developed a set of guidelines to follow when consulting students and faculty in the use of computers. Here are the guidelines:1. Always tell them to double the time that they plan to spend in the lab doing homework. This cuts down on the time pressure to get things done. Once a person feels pressure and begins to tense up, they forget to do what they have been taught, and are more likely to make more mistakes leading to frustration.
DA STANDARDS ACTIVITIES:
Authors: Asher Lisa
Published: January 2007

The following are abridged versions of position papers being used by the IEEE/DASS in developing the IEEE VHDL standard. These were supplied by Jim Armstrong who is Chairman of the VHDL Model Subgroup. Complete versions of the papers and minutes of the IEEE VHDL Subgroup are archived at the IEEE Computer Society. For further information call Rick Cain at 202-371-0101. I believe that sometime in the fall of 89
Design and Test
will publish a special issue on the VHDL standard based on the final resolutions of the DASS. Special thanks to J. W. Smith for help in obtaining this material.
Logic circuit design with the aid of an automated reasoning program
Authors: Abhyankar R. B. , Humpert B.
Published: January 2007

As an example of a logic circuit design problem, we consider the two-inverter puzzle [1] which may be stated as follows:Using any number of AND, OR gates but no more than two NOT gates (inverters), design a logic circuit with three inputs i1, i2, i3 and three outputs o1, o2, 03 such that o1=NOT (il), o2=NOT (i2), o3=NOT (i3).
A survey of methods for eliciting the knowledge of experts
Authors: Hoffman Robert R.
Published: January 2007

A variety of methods have been used by expert system developers to elicit experts' knowledge and reasoning strategies. Additionally, a number of methods have been used by experimental psychologists to explore hypotheses about the nature of expertise. Methods can be placed into three broad categories: (1) Analyses of the tasks that experts perform, (2) Interview techniques, and (3) Special tasks. A comparison of knowledge elicitation methods yields recommendations about how expert system developers can deal with the "knowledge acquisition bottleneck."
Application of neurolinguistic techniques to knowledge acquisition
Authors: Micciche P. F. , Lancaster J. S.
Published: January 2007

Good communication between the domain expert and the knowledge engineer is a must for successful knowledge engineering. However, this is not an easily achieved goal because much of the process of knowledge engineering is still a relatively ad hoc endeavor, pursued by individuals from a wide range of backgrounds with limited training. Consequently, individual knowledge engineers are frequently faced with numerous difficulties including experts who have difficulty verbalizing their knowledge and reasoning processes, who feel uncomfortable discussing their work, or who are unwilling to reveal their knowledge. In these situations, a primary responsibility of the knowledge engineer is to establish an environment in which the expert can be more able, comfortable, and willing to communicate his knowledge. The authors argue that the techniques used in psychological interviewing can be used equally well in knowledge engineering. They discuss some techniques derived from neurolinguistic programming (NLP) (Grinder & Bandler, 1976) and show how they can address possible trouble points in setting up a comfortable interviewing environment.
Interactive learning: a multiexpert paradigm for acquiring new knowledge
Authors: LeClair Steven R.
Published: January 2007

In this paper a paradigm for knowledge acquisition is presented. The paradigm, referred to as Multiexpert Knowledge System (MKS), is based on the philosophy that many decision problems which are candidate expert system applications do not rely on just a single expert for advice but utilize the expertise of many, sometimes conflicting, knowledge sources. Because of the potential for conflict between sources, the contemporary approach to building multiple expert or multiexpert knowledge systems has been to eliminate conflict prior to building the knowledge base. The MKS paradigm accommodates multiple, potentially conflicting experts and uses their expertise in the formulation of new knowledge (rules). These new rules are tested using sequential analysis and organized into a knowledge base by means of an entropy reduction program. Together the MKS paradigm, sequential analysis and entropy reduction are components in the design of an 'interactive' learning expert system which behaves as a 'virtual' expert learning and unlearning new knowledge.
Integration issue in knowledge acquisition systems
Authors: Morik K.
Published: January 2007

Ever since knowledge acquisition systems have been applied to real world problems, the issue of integration has become important (Gaines 88). Most often, the following types of integration are considered:• Systems are to be integrated: the knowledge acquisition system is more closely linked with an expert system shell (Eshelman et al. 87), or a database system is linked to the knowledge acquisition system in order to read data of a domain.• Various sources of knowledge are to be integrated: text files, data files, statistics, rules and facts all contain knowledge about a domain and should be handled by the same system (Gaines 88).• The represented knowledge of various experts is to be integrated either into one consistent domain model or into a model which shows the conflicting views of the domain (Shaw 88).• Diverse knowledge sources with their respective representations are to be integrated, e.g. a taxonomy of domain concepts, possible values of attributes, well-formedness conditions of facts and rules.• Diverse tasks of knowledge acquisition are to be integrated: declaring epistemic primitives, defining concepts, adding facts and rules, deducing new facts from rules, dealing with inconsistencies, changing the terminology, changing facts and rules, grouping facts or rules together, presenting possible operations, showing views of the represented domain model, indicating consequences of an operation to the user. A particular topic of task integration is the integration of machine learning into a knowledge acquisition system.In this paper, we want to discuss only the last two integration problems and present the solutions we implemented in the BLIP system, currently under development at the Technical University of Berlin
1
. First, we give a short overview of knowledge acquisition tasks and indicate which tasks some prototype systems can handle. As we will see, the integration of machine learning into knowledge acquisition is still not yet well achieved. Second, we discuss the integration of tasks. In particular, the integration of machine learning into knowledge acquisition is discussed in some detail. The architecture of BLIP illustrates the paradigm of
cooperative balanced modeling
of both system and user. Third, we investigate the integration of knowledge sources. The integrity between diverse knowledge sources, the propagation of consequences of the operation to all relevant knowledge sources, and the interpretability of a component's results by other components are the 3 issues there. In BLIP, the knowledge needed for the learning task is also integrated into the domain knowledge. This gives BLIP the power of closed-loop learning (Michalski 87). Fourth, we describe the integration of BLIP's learning into knowledge revision in more detail.
Conceptual graphs as a visual language for knowledge acquisition in architectural expert systems
Authors: Pau L. F. , Nielsen S. S.
Published: January 2007

The EKSPRO expert system on PC/AT is based on a 3-D CAD system (Scribe modeller), linked to a solar irradiation calculation package (Sun Code), to PASCAL material and equipment data bases, and to a Prolog II based inference engine. It allows architects to revise office room shapes, materials, lighting sources, thermal control devices, window locations and sizes. Building engineers can select the same specifically for a given design, in view of thermal comfort requirements (daily temperature variation ranges), energy consumption requirements, and building regulations (see also [1] [2]). Needless to say, the above involves extensive knowledge acquisition by tapping off architects for architectural selection rules, and engineers for compliance constraints, both represented as attributed conceptual graphs. The approach below was found extremely useful by allowing for elicitation from examples (cases of special office designs) but also from design principles.
Empirical analysis of inductive knowledge acquisition methods
Authors: Chung H. M.
Published: January 2007

The performance of modeling techniques in emulating expert decision making behavior at classification tasks might be contingent upon the characteristics of tasks to which the model is applied.
The acquisition, verification, and explanation of design knowledge
Authors: Kellogg C. , Gargan R. A. , Mark W. , McGuire J. G. , Pontecorvo M. , Schlossberg J. L. , Sullivan J. w. , Genesereth M. R. , Singh N.
Published: January 2007

Researchers from Lockheed and Stanford University are currently engaged in a joint project investigating the acquisition of design knowledge to aid in the modification and reuse of designs. In our approach acquisition, verification, and explanation are integral components of the design capture process. We are using the HELIOS digital design system (developed at Stanford) as a framework for experimenting with knowledge acquisition and explanation tools. These tools will be used to capture design rationale directly from the expert as the design evolves. Verification capabilities are also being developed to validate design specifications and explore the consequences of various design alternatives.
A knowledge acquisition model with applications for requirements specification and definition
Authors: Kinoshita T.
Published: January 2007

From a practical point of view, the knowledge acquisition task for developing knowledge-based systems may be viewed as a cooperative task between domain experts, knowledge engineers, and support systems (environments). Based on this perspective, a system called the Multi-Layered Knowledge Acquisition Model (MLKAM), has been proposed [1].
Coping with ongoing knowledge acquisition from collaborating hierarchies of experts
Authors: Silverman B. G. , Wenig R. G. , Wu T.
Published: January 2007

The Knowledge Elicitation System (ELI 2) and its predecessor (ELI 1) have been in use for about three years and have developed knowledge bases for about a dozen expert systems thus far. ELI interviews experts to uncover domain issues, criteria, heuristics, constraints, models, data bases, antecedent tradeoff possibilities and importance weights, and certainty factor estimates. It helps construct rapid prototypes, but more importantly it helps manage the growth and maintenance of large heterogeneous knowledge bases over extended periods of time.
Compiling rules from constraint satisfaction problem solving
Authors: Subramanian S. , Freuder E. c.
Published: January 2007

We have been developing a learning system for automating the acquisition of problem solving knowledge. The basic technique used is the compilation of rules from observation of problem solving behavior. Our approach is novel in attempting to compile rules from the observation of constraint-based, relaxation-based problem solving.
Selected AI-related dissertations
Authors: Humphrey S. , Krovetz B.
Published: January 2007

The following are citations selected by title and abstract as being related to AI, resulting from a computer search, using the BRS Information Technologies retrieval service, of the Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) database produced by University Microfilms International.The online file includes abstracts, which are not published in this listing, but the citations below do include the DAI reference for finding the abstract in the published DAI. Other elements of the citation are author, university, degree, and, if available, number of pages; title; UM order number and year-month of DAI; and DAI subject category chosen by the author of the dissertation. References are sorted first by the initial DAI subject category and second by the author. In addition the database includes masters abstracts, denoted by MAI (Masters Abstracts International) instead of DAI as the reference to the abstract in the published MAI.Unless otherwise specified, paper or microform copies of dissertations may be ordered from University Microfilms International, Dissertation Copies, Post Office Box 1764, Ann Arbor, MI 48106; telephone for U.S. (except Michigan, Hawaii, Alaska): 1-800-521-3042, for Canada: 1-800-268-6090. Price lists and other ordering and shipping information are in the introduction to the published DAI.
Exploiting reflection in mobile computing middleware
Authors: Capra Licia , Blair Gordon S. , Mascolo Cecilia , Emmerich Wolfgang , Grace Paul
Published: January 2007

The increasing popularity of portable devices and recent advances in wireless networking technologies facilitate the engineering of new classes of applications, which present challenging problems to designers. Mobile devices face temporary and unannounced loss of network connectivity when they are moved, they are likely to have scarce resources, and they are required to react to frequent changes in the environment. To accommodate these new requirements imposed by mobility, middleware platforms for mobile computing must be capable of both deployment-time configurability and run-time reconfigurability. We illustrate how reflective techniques can be exploited by middleware designers to address these requirements. We discuss two complementary approaches: CARISMA, where reflection is used to support dynamic adaptation of middleware behaviour to changes in context, and ReMMoC, which uses reflection to accommodate heterogeneity requirements imposed by both applications and underlying device platforms.
Mobile interfaces to computational, data, and service grid systems
Authors: Migliardi Mauro , Maheswaran Muthucumaru , Maniymaran Balasubramaniam , Card Paul , Azzedin Farag
Published: January 2007

This article briefly describes the issues related to providing mobile access to computational, data, and service Grids. Then it describes our preliminary efforts to enhance computational and service Grids to handle mobile access. In particular, we focus on how the HARNESS mobile extensions project approaches the problem of enhancing Grid computers with mobile access and we describe how the InviNet project provides access to service Grids with consistent quality of service.
Performance evaluation of throughput enhancement architectures for next generation wireless systems
Authors: Manoj B. S. , D Christo Frank , Murthy C. Siva Ram
Published: January 2007

Wireless communication has taken big strides every decade as the next generation systems evolved. However, the wireless environment is plagued by several constraints; in particular, resource constraints. The electromagnetic spectrum being limited, the biggest hurdle in the development of advanced wireless systems is the lack of sufficient bandwidth. In the future, the number of simultaneous users and the volume of data communicated is expected to exceed by far the capacity of present day Cellular networks. With the advent of the Internet and wireless connectivity, there has also been an enormous increase in the number of applications that need special support from the network such as QoS guarantees. The research community has long since realized the dire need for networks with higher capacity and this realization has triggered vigorous research in the throughput enhancement of Cellular networks. This paper is a thorough performance study of two such novel throughput enhancement architectures viz. Integrated Cellular and Ad hoc Relaying System (iCAR) and Multi-hop Cellular Network (MCN). iCAR increases the network throughput by relaying excess traffic from a hot cell to cooler cells through a multi-hop path over special routers called Ad hoc Relaying Stations. MCN increases the network throughput by reducing the data transmission power to half of the cell radius, thus increasing the spatial reuse of bandwidth. A common property of these two architectures is the presence of hybrid characters i.e., the two architectures have attempted to benefit by combining the best of Cellular and Ad hoc systems. We identify the pros and cons of each and suggest enhancements based on our simulation results. Through this effort, we bring to light the general issues associated with throughput enhancement and prove the efficacy of introducing Ad hoc characteristics into traditional Cellular networks.
Book Review: Common Lisp: A Tutorial by Wendy Milner (Prentice-Hall)
Authors: Kryszak Richard
Published: January 2007

According to the author, this book is intended to be used by people that are interested in learning Common Lisp. A prior knowledge of Common Lisp programming is not assumed.
Review of SIMPLE 1 Simulation Language
Authors: Van Houten Karen
Published: January 2007

I have taught a discrete simulation course for the University of Idaho Computer Science department for the past five years. Three different languages have been used which were generally chosen because they were available and could run on our computer systems. The languages used were GPSS (a very old version), SIMAN and SIMPLE_1. This past year, I used version 3 of SIMPLE_1, which was chosen for several reasons. It runs on PCs or compatibles and is inexpensive so the students could buy their own copies to run on their own computers or those available on campus. The course was video taped and offered to off-campus students so it was important for those students to be able to run the software on their own computers. I also chose it because I like the language and the complete package that comes with it.
Knowledge based simulation of an organization: an agent's behavior in a dynamic environment
Authors: Unseld Sigrid
Published: January 2007

MOMo's general purpose "playground" enables the user to test and study the behavior of AI-models (intelligent agents) in a knowledge based simulation environment. Agents and environment form an interacting system: During discrete, event-driven simulation the agents act according to "prototypical images" that reflect their perception of the environment. The actions carried out by the agent are inputs to the environment, causing its state to change. The state of the environment, in turn, defines what the agent may act upon.
A knowledge-based simulator for electronic circuits
Authors: Herczeg Jurgen , Herczeg Michael
Published: January 2007

The following paper describes a prototypical knowledge-based simulator for electronic circuits supporting the user during various phases of the task. The system has been built by augmenting an object-oriented modelled simulator by direct manipulation techniques and by representing knowledge about the simulation process and the application domain in an expert component. The direct manipulation interface enables the user to manipulate the familiar objects of an electronics laboratory via a mouse on the screen. The expert component provides adequate simulation parameters, answers questions about the application domain, and gives examples and partial solutions concerning the user's current problem.
X3J3 avoids deadlock
Authors: Meissner Loren P.
Published: January 2007

Plan generated by International Fortran Working Group wins broad X3J3 support at November 1988 meetingWhile you have been sitting at home, waiting for news about the agonies of birth of the revised Fortran standard, the obstetricians (X3J3, the ANSI accredited Fortran technical committee) have been busily working.
Training software (TS) case study: feature selection system (FSS) for computer personnel
Authors: Rushinek A. , Rushinek S.
Published: January 2007

The selection of appropriate features for inclusion in microcomputer systems can be very frustrating for both hardware and software manufacturers, as well as for end-users. This study describes an interactive microcomputer based Feature Selection System (FSS). The Feature Price Contribution Margin (FPCM) measures to what degree a specific feature meets end-user needs. FSS produces a segmented income statement of possible future products lines. It also compares the outcome of integrating and bundling a feature into a product versus marketing this feature as a separate "add-on" product line.
Finite field manipulations in Macsyma
Authors: Rowney K. T. , Silverman R. D.
Published: January 2007

We present the implementation of an extensive system of routines, in Macsyma, which allows finite field arithmetic and manipulation of symbolic objects in finite fields,
Generalization, consistency, and control
Authors: Lewis C. , Hair D. C. , Schoenberg V.
Published: January 2007

Easy learning of a user interface depends in part on users being able to generalize successfully about it. Philosophical doctrine, and some recent work in human-computer interaction, argues that
causal analysis
of interactions can support generalization. But neither the philosophical literature nor the HCI literature provides a rigorous theory of causal analysis adequate for problems in human-computer interaction. We propose such a rigorous theory here, and show how it accounts for two robust generalizations, using certain general assumptions. We then present evidence that these assumptions are accepted by people. Finally we compare this theory with other treatments of consistency.
Artifact as theory-nexus: hermeneutics meets theory-based design
Authors: Carroll J. M. , Kellogg W. A.
Published: January 2007

We suggest that HCI designs characteristically embody multiple, distinct psychological claims, that virtually every aspect of a system's usability is overdetermined by independent psychological rationales inherent in its design. These myriad claims cohere in being implemented together in a running system. Thus, HCI artifacts themselves are perhaps the most effective medium for theory development in HCI. We advance a framework for articulating the psychological claims embodied by artifacts. This proposal reconciles the contrasting perspectives of theory-based design and hermeneutics, and clarifies the apparent paradox of HCI application leading HCI theory.
The effects of bargaining orientation and communication medium on negotiations in the bilateral monopoly task: a comparison of decision room and computer conferencing communication media
Authors: Sheffield J.
Published: January 2007

Pairs of subjects with either a competitive or an integrative bargaining orientation completed the Bilateral Monopoly Task in one of four communication media (text- only, text-plus-visual-access, audio-only, and audio-plus-visual-access). As hypothesized, an integrative bargaining orientation and/or an audio mode of communication led to a higher joint outcome. In addition, visual access resulted in higher joint outcomes for subjects with integrative bargaining orientations, but lower joint outcomes for those with competitive orientations. The support for negotiation offered by decision room and computer conferencing technologies is compared based on the efficiency and richness of the communication media available in each.
A system for example-based programming
Authors: Neal L. R.
Published: January 2007

We present an approach to programming environments that integrates syntax-directed editors with concepts borrowed from software reuse. We call our approach
example-based programming
, and we define it as programming using examples as visual aids or to fully or partially copy into programs. To implement an example-based programming environment, we augmented a syntax-directed editor with a window for example programs. The example programs, which are easily accessible, can be used as examples of language constructs, thus providing syntactic information through instantiations of templates, or as examples of algorithms or programs. The code in the example window can be viewed, totally or partially copied, or run. We discuss the motivation for example-based programming, describe our system implementing example-based programming in greater depth, and report on the results of an experiment to see how the system is used by programmers.
Some strategies of reuse in an object-oriented programming environment
Authors: Lange B. M. , Moher T. G.
Published: January 2007

In a single-subject study of a software developer working in an object-oriented programming environment, we found evidence of a development style characterized by pervasive software reuse. The subject employed regular strategies for template selection and coding in her work, and avoided techniques requiring deep understanding of code details or symbolic execution whenever possible. Within the limits of the design of the study, the subject's performance is related to attributes of object-oriented programming and our interpretation of the mature mental model with which she approached her task.
On-line tutorials: What kind of inference leads to the most effective learning?
Authors: Black J. B. , Bechtold J. S. , Mitrani M. , Carroll J. M.
Published: January 2007

This paper presents an empirical study comparing the effectiveness of four different versions of an on-line database tutorial, each of which calls upon the student to perform a different kind of inference. The general-to-specific version presents instructions in the form of general rules, from which the students expected to infer how to apply the rule in the give context. The explanation-to-specific version supplies information about the functional organization of the database program in addition to general rules. The specific-to-specific condition gives an example of the use of a command; the student must infer how to apply the command in a slightly different context. The control version gives explicit instructions. The best performance on a post-test consisting of realistic tasks was obtained from the general-to-specific and explanation-to-specific conditions.
How some advice fails
Authors: Hill W. C.
Published: January 2007

Video data for thirty-four cases of advice seeking, giving and following behavior at a graphical computer interface were analyzed in detail. The evidence indicated that clients followed prescriptive advice effectively and efficiently in slightly more than half the cases. For other cases, clients performed twice as many actions as needed in three times as much time and never reached prescribed states. A hypothesis that observed advice following difficulties were correlated with advice abstractness was not supported. Rather, it seems advice did not match well with clients' knowledge of the system in particular isolated details.
Protecting user interfaces through copyright: the debate
Authors: Samuelson P.
Published: January 2007

This paper will provide an overview of the legal controversy about the extent of copyright protection that is appropriate for software user interfaces. The controversy reflects different views of how traditional principles of copyright law should be applied to software. After a brief introduction to copyright principles, the paper will set forth an argument for maximal copyright protection for software user interfaces, and then an argument for minimal copyright protection for user interfaces. Both arguments apply copyright principles; they simply draw on different parts of copyright doctrine in doing so. The paper does not aim to resolve the debate, but only to familiarize the user interface design community of the legal context in which the debate is taking place.
Skilled financial planning: the cost of translating ideas into action
Authors: Lerch F. J. , Mantei M. M. , Olson J. R.
Published: January 2007

We use GOMS models to predict error rates and mental times for translating financial concepts into equations in two widely used interface representations. The first of these, common to spreadsheet packages, is characterized by non-mnemonic naming and absolute referencing of variables. The second, common to non-procedural command-driven software, is characterized by mnemonic naming conventions and relative referencing of variables. These predictions were tested in an experiment using experienced financial analysts. Although the interface that allows mnemonic and relative names (called keyword) takes longer overall, it produces seventy-five percent fewer simple errors and requires less mental effort. Given the overall serious cost of errors in financial models, we conclude that interfaces having the keyword representation are far superior.
Graphical specification of user interfaces with behavior abstraction
Authors: DeSoi J. F. , Lively W. M. , Sheppard S. V.
Published: January 2007

The Application Display Generator (ADG) is a graphical environment for the design and implementation of embedded system user interfaces. It is a major component of the Graphical Specification Subsystem (GSS) in Lockheed's Express knowledge-based software development environment. ADG gives non-programmers simple and flexible methods for graphically specifying the presentation and behavior of embedded system user interfaces. In the ADG methodology arbitrary presentations are attached to abstract object behaviors. This approach makes it possible to provide unconstrained presentations, intelligent user support, rapid prototyping, and flexible facilities for composing complex objects.
Innovation in user interface development: obstacles and opportunities
Authors: Poltrock S. E.
Published: January 2007

Case studies of two software development organizations suggest that common practices of these organizations pose obstacles to innovation. Although software development organizations have good reasons to be conservative and resist innovation, they recognize the importance of innovations to the competitiveness of their products. But organizations experienced at development of regularly scheduled releases are not well suited to development of innovations. In this research investigators worked with the user interface teams in two organizations while interviewing people throughout the organizations. Both organizations developed prototypes, but only small design changes were prototyped and tested early in development. Innovative changes were evaluated late, when resistance to iteration was great. User interface designs and prototypes were often not shown to users. Mechanisms for coordinating development were another conservative influence. Both organizations successfully overcame these obstacles by departing from established practices.
Design rationale: the argument behind the artifact
Authors: MacLean A. , Young R. M. , Moran T. P.
Published: January 2007

We assert that the product of user interface design should be not only the interface itself but also a rationale for why the interface is the way it is. We describe a representation for design based around a semi-formal notation which allows us explicitly to represent alternative design options and reasons for choosing among them. We illustrate the approach with examples from an analysis of scrolling mechanisms. We discuss the roles we expect such a representation to play in improving the coherence of designs and in communicating reasons for choices to others, whether designers, maintainers, collaborators or end users.
Conversational hypertext: information access through natural language dialogues with computers
Authors: Whalen T. , Patrick A.
Published: January 2007

One need not create a natural language understanding system in order to create a hypertext data base that can be traversed with unconstrained natural language. The task is simplified because the computer creates a constrained context, imposes a non-negotiable topic, and elicits simple questions. Two small hypertext data bases describing the authors' organization and the terms and rules of baseball were implemented on an IBM PC. When ten untrained people were allowed to search through these data bases, 59 per cent of their queries were answered correctly by the first data base and 64 per cent by the second.
Transforming text into hypertext for a compact disc encyclopedia
Authors: Glushko Robert J.
Published: January 2007

A hypertext version of a multi-volume engineering encyclopedia on a compact disc is described. The methods for characterizing the explicit and implicit structure of the document, the novel user interface to the compact disc version, and the design and development lessons that apply to any hypertext project involving realistic amounts of text and graphics are discussed.
The effects of device technology on the usability of advanced telephone functions
Authors: Roberts T. L. , Engelbeck G.
Published: January 2007

This paper presents a pilot study that addresses the effect that device technology has on the usability of advanced telephone functions. We prototyped telephone systems using three technologies: the current 12-button phone set, the current phone set augmented with speech synthesis, and a phone set augmented with a display and pointing device. The functions that we offered included call routing, call screening, and message retrieval. Experiments showed that a display-based phone was the fastest to use and was preferred; an interface that used voice-prompting was the slowest and least liked. This points out that future work on prompting interfaces will have to address user control and efficiency issues without causing learning/forgetting problems.
The design of phone-based interfaces for consumers
Authors: Halstead-Nussloch R.
Published: January 2007

This paper identifies guidelines for designing human-computer interfaces using telephones as terminals. Although they are ubiquitous and convenient to use, phones differ from screen terminals in two important ways: the information display is auditory and serial, and users do not have a pointer. The differences result in limitations for the interface designer. The guidelines focus on developing an effective interface within the limitations. Ongoing analysis, design, development, and testing work at IBM Poughkeepsie and literature are synthesized into guidelines. They present design options for user input, system output, and the system and user roles in a phone-based dialogue.
Helgon: extending the retrieval by reformulation paradigm
Authors: Fischer G. , Nieper-Lemke H.
Published: January 2007

People who attempt to use a complex information store on a computer encounter a number of problems: They do not know what information exists or how to find information, they get no support in articulating a question, and they are unable to phrase their question in terms that the system understands. Helgon, an intelligent environment that supports limited cooperative problem solving, helps people deal with complex information stores. Helgon supports retrieval and editing by reformulation with multiple specification techniques, and it acquaints the user with the system model of the information store. Within the current Helgon system, a number of different information stores have been implemented. Empirical evaluations have shown that Helgon supports effective communication. In addition, the evaluations have shown interesting extensions for future work.
Understanding Bayesian reasoning via graphical displays
Authors: Cole W. G.
Published: January 2007

Bayesian reasoning, updating subjective probability in light of new information, is notoriously difficult. One factor that may contribute to this difficulty is lack of a mental model for how to combine the three key parameters in any Bayesian problem. An experiment was conducted contrasting four representations of Bayesian problems: three types of diagrams and a two by two contingency table. All four representations led to extremely good performance on a Bayesian task. This advantage also extended to a superficially dissimilar task and also persisted beyond the day of training, suggesting that graphic and tabular representation can lead to flexible and durable changes in the way people think about such problems.