Friendly bells, belches and glugs: computers are to have a wider vocabulary

Article Abstract:

The Xerox Palo Alto Research Center in California pioneered graphical user interface as used on Apple computers and now research can broaden computer vocabulary to include friendlier, informative non-speech sounds. Mr Bill Gaver, now a psychologist at Rank Xerox's Cambridge EuroPARC devised SonicFinder in 1987 at Apple Computer. Chores can be done without using total visual concentration as deleting a document is accompanied by a metallic sound louder to warn if a larger document is being withdrawn. Copying files can be done with a pouring sound increasing in pitch as the files pour out, indicating how much is left to copy. Some auditory icons are not ideal and a balance between abstract and figurative sound is sought.

Research, Innovations, Human-computer interaction, Computer interfaces, Interfaces (Computers), Rank Xerox

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Scientist with a human face

Article Abstract:

Science should raise ethical questions, and these should be debated by ordinary people, even if they have only limited scientific knowledge, according to professor Roald Hoffmann, professor of chemistry at Cornell University. There is considerable awareness among the general public of environmental questions and issues relating to reproduction and genetic engineering, and science should be willing to play a role in the community as these issues are debated. Hoffmann believes that science is firmly embedded in culture.

Interview, Science and ethics, Scientific ethics, Hoffmann, Roald

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Cell certainties

Article Abstract:

The biological cell can serve as a model for business organisation, according to Gerard Fairtlough, founding chief executive of biotechnology concern Celltech. He believes that competition between divisions within a company, rather than between companies, can improve a company's fitness, as is the case with the cells of an organism. In many cases, the most successful and creative companies are those which are made up of a cluster of only a few hundred people.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Business success, Fairtlough, Gerard

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