Glossary » Acronyms

CSMR

computer-supported meeting rooms.

DWIM

do what I mean; an interface that allows flexible styles of user input and lets the user ask the computer to interpret “what-I-mean” (not what I say), generally involving a simple heuristic for guessing what the user is most likely…

EBS

electronic brainstorming; the use of computers to support idea generation, especially in a collaborative setting. Computer support can be helpful by simplifying the collection and organization of ideas, by providing anonymity and thus supporting more fluid generation of ideas, and…

EDS

electronic discussion systems

EMR

electronic meeting room -and- electronic medical record. As a meeting room, an EMR is a room equipped with computer stations designed to aid in the meeting process. These computer systems are typically set up with Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS),…

EMS

electronic meeting systems

face-to-face

or FTF; people interacting with each other in the same place, as opposed to over a telephone, for instance. Refers to group meetings, group work, and groupware interactions which are co-located, in contrast to “distance” or “distributed” work.

FAQ

frequently asked questions (pronounced “FAK”); a common form of help for users, especially on the internet. A FAQ list shows the most common questions and provides direct, useful answers. Often, it’s a convenient structure just to minimize dealing with users…

flat screen display

or flat panel display (FPD); a screen that is very thin, potentially using a variety of different technologies, such as LCDs and gas-plasma displays. In contrast, because of the need to direct an electron beam across the whole display, CRTs…

GDSS

group decision support systems. Computer systems that are designed especially to support the decision process, especially in meetings (such as Electronic Meeting Rooms). These systems typically support aspects of the decision process such as brainstorming, idea organization, evaluation, prioritization, and…

GID

graphical input device; a piece of hardware for pointing and selecting items on a graphical display, such as a mouse, joystick, tablet, or trackpad.

GOMS

a family of techniques for modeling and representing the knowledge necessary for a person to perform a task. GOMS is an acronym that stands for Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection Rules, the components of which are used as the building…

GPSS

group process support systems. Groupware designed to support a process, as opposed to a conversation. Workflow systems are the typical example. Industrial processes are another good example — for instance, by coordinating the efforts on an assembly line to avoid…

GUI

graphical user interface, pronounced “GOOEY”. A user interface that presents information graphically, typically with draggable windows, buttons, and icons, as opposed to a textual user interface, where information is presented on a text-based screen and commands are all typed.

It’s…

HCI

human-computer interaction. The study of how people work with computers and how computers can be designed to help people effectively use them.

head-mounted display

HMD; a computer monitor or other display (such as an LED readout) that can be worn on the head so that a user can view it without looking away from the surrounding environment and without having to hold the display,…

healthcare information system

(HIS) computer systems designed for any of a wide variety of healthcare applications, including clinical (e.g. computer-based patient records – CPRs), financial, insurance, and medical education.

Some special issues in healthcare include safety and cleanliness of physical devices, necessary knowledge…

hierarchical task analysis

HTA or hierarchical task decomposition, HTD; breaking down the steps of a task (process) performed by a user, viewed at different levels of detail. Each step can be decomposed into lower-level sub-steps, thus forming a hierarchy of sub-tasks. The highest…

HSV

hue-saturation-value; a color model that specifies any given color based on its hue (the frequency of light, e.g. red-orange-yellow-green-blue-violet), saturation (amount of white versus pure color), and value (intensity or brightness). Formally equivalent to other color models (RGB, HSB, CMYK),…

HTML

HypertText Markup Language; a simple notation for describing the format and content of text by adding simple annotations or “tags” to the text. HTML is the fundamental format used for presenting documents on the web.

human-machine interface

HMI or MMI (man-machine interface); the portion of an electro-mechanical system that a person interacts with, used most often to refer to hardware as opposed to software interfaces. The HMI is the collection of knobs, levers, and monitors that a…

instant messaging

IM; a technique of sending a message: the sender specifies the recipient and typically types a simple text message; the recipient has a window pop up automatically that displays the short message. This differs from email in that the interface…

intelligent tutoring system

ITS; educational software that tailors the instruction based on the learner’s behavior, providing an appropriate level of instruction or even determining how a learner’s model of a domain is incorrect and choosing instruction and exercises specifically designed to help correct…

internationalization

or i18n (the letter “i” followed by 18 letters, followed by “n”); the design or modification of software for an international audience.

Three approaches to internationalization are common:

…

ISO 9241

“Ergonomics requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs)”; a set of international standards for using computers, including hardware, visual display, and interaction guidelines, developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO).