Like a human expert, ThinkSheet links its questions together, asking only for answers that logically follow fron the user's prior response. The final data or conclusion is summarized in plain English. As easy to set up as a spreadsheet, ThinkSheet is a powerful tool to help users acquire exactly the information they need from complex documents. For example, we have created ThinkSheets that rewrite social security law so that it is tailored to the individual asking about it. We are currently developing a prototype for a help desk.
Smart forms are also a good application.
Interface developers use ThinkSheet in the creator mode to organize access to the material through questions asked to the user. The developers link questions so that only those questions that make sense to answer, based on the user's prior responses, will be asked. It is as easy to set up a ThinkSheet-based access as to program a spreadsheet. Information seekers then use the ThinkSheet-based access in the Browser mode to navigate through information by answering questions that lead to the material they are interested in.