An introduction to HITS: Human Interface Tool Suite

Computers are the most plastic medium yet invented for the representation and propagation of information. They can mimic the behaviors of other information media and manifest behaviors not possible in any other medium. They provide us with interactive representational media of potentially revolutionary consequence. To realize the communicative potential of these new computationally-based media we must understand how to employ them to construct collaborative multimedia interfaces to high-functionality systems. In this report, we introduce the Human Interface Tool Suite, an integrated set of tools for the construction of collaborative multimedia interfaces. Rather than documenting HITS as a user or reference manual would, we explain the ideas that motivate the HITS research programme. Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation Advanced Computer Architecture Human Interface Laboratory 3500 West Balcones Center Drive Austin, Texas 78720 (512) 343-0978 Copyright c 1988 Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation All rights reserved. Shareholders and associates of MCC may reproduce and distribute these materials for internal purposes by retaining MCC's copyright notice, proprietary legends, and markings on all complete and partial copies. NT E R FACE B y M C C AN INTRODUCTION TO HITS: HUMAN INTERFACE TOOL SUITE James Hollan, Elaine Rich, William Hill, David Wroblewski, Wayne Wilner, Kent Wittenburg, Jonathan Grudln, and Members of the Human Interface Laboratory