We are developing a chart editing system which generates critics by user request. These critics are based on a user model, on expert knowledge in chart editing and on the currently edited chart. The system helps the author to avoid commonly made mistakes. Keywords individual differences, perception, user model, visualization, multimedia, adaptive systems, intelligent systems, electronic publishing, cognitive psychology, computer. Copyright on this material is held by the authors.
Many authors using electronic media are no publishing experts.
They know little about human perception and interaction on computer systems. Computer systems offer the opportunity to improve this situation for authors and recipients. This 'general' knowledge does not need to be based on individual users. Knowledge about individual user abilities can be derived through computerized tests and be maintained in the so-called 'user model'. Further discussion is based on a chart editing system which integrates expert knowledge for author-guidance and which adapts to recipients by gathering knowledge about individual abilities.