How to Communicate

Abstract

Communication is about bridging gaps, where the gap may be conceptual or spatial. A conceptual gap exists between the computer and human users. Modes of conversation between people assume certain conventions such as visual clues, tone of voice and a dialogue between the participants. To use computers, people have had to adapt by becoming computer literate. In the first section of this chapter we look at some ways in which computer programs can be written so as to meet the user half way and enable the computer to become person literate.