Book reviews Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction M a r t i n H e l a n d e r ( E d . ) North-Holland, Amsterdam (1988) £258.00, 1167 + xxxiii pp

This is a very large compendium of chapters (52 in all) by individual authors, on what is probably the most rapidly developing area of human factors (HF) applications. There are seven groups of chapters, representing an acceptable parti- tioning of this large area of current problems and principles, and de- monstrating the breadth of factors which are germane to the achieve- ment of successful human-computer interaction (HCI).

'Models and theories of human- computer interaction' has nine chapters, reflecting some of the basic thinking being applied to HF in computer systems. Several con- tributions are indeed quite theore- tical, and may be somewhat remote from the 'applications' needs of many readers of this journal, but Chapters 4 and 5 provide accessible accounts of the state of that art.

The 'User interface design' group of fourteen chapters is a target area for the journal Displays. Chapters such as 'Menus', 'Command names' (12), 'Query languages' (17), 'Graphic challenges in design- ing user interfaces' (actually, the use of icons) (18), 'Screen (format) design' (19), 'Windowing systems' (20), 'Image quality' (21), 'Keys and keyboards' (22), 'Input devices' - all of these give at least the salient factors relating to design for users, usually by summarizing research studies, and some fairly useful current introductory design guide- lines. There is, of course, a limit to the amount of design detail which can be presented in such chapters, and the lengthy reference lists pro- vide further sources of information. Chapter 18 gives a useful survey of the available guidelines on screen format design. It is a pity that Chapter 17 refers to Tufte's magni- ficent book The Visual Display of Quantitative Information without giving even the title or the essential bibliographical information, but

Chapter 18 corrects the omission - but sadly, no cross-reference be- tween the chapters. Moreover, Chapter 17 is the only (very limited) chapter specifically directed at graphics displays, although some aspects are covered in Chapter 18 and in the applications chapters 31 and 32. Chapter 13 on 'Natural language interfaces' covers studies only of how such interfaces are used in practice, but makes the impor- tant contrast that learning a formal language subsumes learning the capabilities of the system, while natural languages need no learning and hence leave the new user in the dark as to those capabilities. Chap- ter 14, on 'Speech Recognition', and Chapter 15, on 'Speech synth- esis' provide good reviews of the basic techniques and of some exam- ples, but shed little light on design guidelines. 'On-line aiding' attempts to develop some guidance for 'help' dialogues incorporated in tasks. 'VDT workstation design' (Chapter 23) covers extensively the question of the best sitting posture, but is rather brief on other ergono- mics aspects, and has no dimen- sioned diagrams.

'Individual differences and train- ing' has five chapters that begin to explore some implications of the fact that computer users are not uniform in their characteristics and capabilities. Chapter 24 provides an introduction, illustrating the ranges of individual characteristics, and some suggestions for computer system design. Chapter 26 takes the special case of 'The elderly', but with few design implications. 'From novice to expert' (Chapter 25) refers to the 'knowledge base' of programmers, providing some de- veloping insights. 'Computer-based instruction' (Chapter 27) is a useful review of this extensive area of application. Finally, 'Content and presentation in document design' (Chapter 28), which probably fits as

well under this group as any other, is a good detailed review of re- search on documentation, but it has no organized practical guidelines.

'Applications of computer tech- nology' takes up the examples of 'Text editors' (Chapter 29), 'Text retrieval' (Chapter 30), 'Computer- aided design' (Chapter 31), 'Architectural design' (Chapter 32), 'Facilities (factory) layout' (Chap- ter 33), and 'Robot programming' (Chapter 34). Chapters 29 and 30 give comprehensive reviews, Chap- ter 31 relies largely on Swedish references which may be difficult to track down, and the rest are rather more limited, perhaps because of their narrower range of interest.

'Tools for design and evaluation' is a set of eight chapters which cover a wide range of issues, and it makes a very important contribu- tion to the book. Once again, there are many helpful references to the literature, and accounts of stan- dards and guidelines. Chapter 40 makes the case for 'standards' for hardware, and 'guidelines' for soft- ware. Chapters 35 and 36 address 'Designing for usability', and each gives a quite exhaustive account of successive stages and techniques in the design process, from two useful- ly different viewpoints. 'Software tools for interface development' (Chapter 39), 'Task analysis for dialogue design' (Chapter 38), 'Rapid prototyping for interface design' (Chapter 39), all give useful accounts of specialized techniques. 'Software evaluation methodolo- gies' (Chapter 41), and 'Research methods in HCI' (Chapter 42), both import methods established in the behavioural sciences; the former is more successful because it is more focused on specific techniques, rather than trying to present the whole research edifice.

'Artificial intelligence' promises to be a significant growth area in HCI, and this group of chapters covers part of the current scene. The introductory chapter sets out some of the prime issues, and 'Natural language interfaces' (Chapter 44), gives a good account of the underlying principles there; both, however, have little on prac-

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Book reviews

tical applications. 'Knowledge ac- quisition' (Chapter 45) reviews techniques for this important stage in developing an expert system. 'Intelligent interface design' (Chap- ter 46) 'Decision support systems' (Chapter 47) both provide wide and somewhat speculative accounts of two applications areas.

'Psychological and organisational issues', probably the area most overlooked by most system de- signers, completes the handbook. 'Social aspects of computer use' (Chapter 48) 'Information technol- ogy and work organization' (Chap- ter 49) both consider the interaction of computer systems with occupa- tional facets such as job design, organizational structure, and moti- vation. The former takes the approach of debunking common 'myths', while the latter considers a variety of analytical perspectives. There could have been more con- sideration of detailed aspects of job design. Another very useful chapter is 'Technological innovation and organisational ecology' (Chapter 52), which explores interactions with physical work settings, well illustrated with one particular com- pany example. 'Factors influencing acceptance of computer-based in- novations' (Chapter 51) uses the rather specialized example of an AI aid for the military. 'Socio-issues related to home-based work' (Chapter 50) is a rather thin account of a developing context for computer systems.

The notes above show that the range of topics is wide. As a handbook, this is successful in presenting reviews of these varied facets of the HCI scene. A few failings have been drawn out above, and a recurrent feeling is that there may not be enough detailed practic- al design guidance for computer systems specialists. However, in a text which aims at both computer and HF people, and which covers such a wide range of topics, this is unavoidable. It does serve a more fundamental purpose to map out the key features of these topics, and the numerous literature references give access to further extensive information and data. Only 10% of

the chapters are by European au- thors, and there are none from the Far East: this is probably an under- estimate of the amount of non-US progress in HCI. The editor's pre- fatorial comments on his 'not so user-friendly' desktop publishing package are reinforced by several typographical errors, some quite unintelligible - an eloquent state- ment of the need for improved

HCI[ This expensive handbook pro-

vides a very effective review of the state of the art. It should serve as a useful reference work for anyone whose work or interests impinge on the HCI field.

David Whitfield 23 Edinburgh Way,

Queen's Park, Chester, UK

High Definition Television: A Technical Marketing Analysis A n a n d V R a o BCC Co. Inc., USA (1989) $2250, 194pp

The report is aimed at business executives and those who have to make critical decisions in design, manufacture, or purchase and oper- ation of high definition television (HDTV) and related equipment. The scope of interest covers HDTV delivery to the viewer through broadcast, cable or satellite. It looks at every facet from the studio to the home receiver, but it also considers areas which are perhaps already using some of the technolo- gy, such as in the medical field, defence, flight simulators and other areas where images are investigated and analysed.

Everyone from the executive to the technician will find the report easy to read and understand. Only a basic knowledge of television tech- nology or marketing is necessary to make it interesting.

The general coverage encompas- ses HDTV, focusing mainly on the US market although much data has been included from worldwide surveys. The technical side is ex- plained concisely in simple lan- guage, dealing with applications of HDTV. The main objective is a market analysis, showing trends and projections; this has been well presented, indicating sources of figures and outlining the assump- tions made to obtain forecasts. Extensive lists of participants and manufacturers support the docu- ment, from which a prospective user could source specifications and supplies of equipment.

In the summary at the beginning, which the reader would do well to come back to after finishing the report, there are some sobering statements which some might just accept as inevitable, while others would be stimulated into debate, and yet others would view as a challenge. The report in general, while being aware of European efforts and the associated fiery debate there, does not allow this to cloud the marketing issues. Some surprising facts emerge and there is exposure of non-broadcast and other applications in other indus- tries. Such industries would benefit perhaps from growth in the broad- cast entertainment industry.

A few of the tables are difficult to read, being reproduced in too small a scale. Many might benefit from replacement or accompanied by a graphic rendering. The scale of numbers shown in one or two tables seems to have been omitted.

Each of the various applications is treated separately and the cover- age completed by a section on the semiconductor manufacturing in- dustry which makes HDTV a prac- tical reality.

This reviewer found the analysis easy to read and understand. Much of it would be useful to refer back to, and provides food for discussion in the many different areas adjacent to HDTV. Considering the enor-

,mous cost of development and equipping, it is important that tech- nological progress and marketing

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