Alan McCord
Abstract
CONFER is used by a variety of organizations which have no direct contact with any MTS site (the CONFER host computer system). In many cases, the main contact of the CONFER user is with the third party vendor or consultant who is supporting the networking effort. Several problems arise when the third party relationship is not broadened to include the institutional consulting and documentation efforts. Such problems include:1. Overload on the time of the third-party consultant.2. Production of custom documentation which parallels the institutional documentation.3. User perceptions that they are not "ready" for institutional documentation.4. Development of abbreviated cognitive maps of the system and its user network.5. Users exchange superstitious views of how the system works.While it is not yet clear that the absorption of third-party, mediated networks will solve such problems, it is an obvious first step to a solution.
A version of CONFER is tentatively planned for use as the principal Help Facility at WSU. A subset of CONFER capabilities will be employed to decrease demands on the system.
Features of the Help Facility will include agenda string searches, execution of computer assisted instruction lessons from within tbe CONFERence, a "suggestion box" facility, and user modelling features intended to decrease user frustration and maximize efficiency. Existing help files will be called from the Help Facility to increase the redundancy of available help to the user.
The agenda used will be multi-dimensional, allowing the user to search for help within subject areas, type of information and skill level. For example, the user would be able to view all items which serve as tutorials on statistical packages with the CONFER command: AGENDA TUTORIALS+STATISTICS. Similarly, the user will be able to search item descriptors or text for character strings, such as using WHICH "SPSS" to locate all items dealing with SPSS.
Requests for help will be sent directly to various CSC departments, and responded to either via CONFER or telephone. User suggestions and requests will be screened on a continuing basis by CSC staff, and changes to the information contained in each item will be made as a result of these suggestions. Materials developed by users will be solicited for inclusion in the Help Facility.
Index Terms
- Uses of CONFER at Wayne State University (abstract only)
Recommendations
Uses of CONFER at Wayne State University (abstract only)
CHI '81: Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Easier and More Productive Use of Computer Systems. (Part - II): Human Interface and the User Interface - Volume 1981CONFER is used by a variety of organizations which have no direct contact with any MTS site (the CONFER host computer system). In many cases, the main contact of the CONFER user is with the third party vendor or consultant who is supporting the networking ...
The CONFER experience of the Merit Computer Network (abstract only)
CONFER emerged from a concern with small group governance in both its communications and decision making dimensions. This context will be described as well as the principles operationalized in the CONFER system: individual equality, freedom, privacy and ...
The CONFER experience of the Merit Computer Network (abstract only)
CHI '81: Proceedings of the Joint Conference on Easier and More Productive Use of Computer Systems. (Part - II): Human Interface and the User Interface - Volume 1981CONFER emerged from a concern with small group governance in both its communications and decision making dimensions. This context will be described as well as the principles operationalized in the CONFER system: individual equality, freedom, privacy and ...
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