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Anoop Sinha's Summary:

Human Factors is one of the critical elements in determining the success and assimilation of technology. Perhaps unfortunately, it is not usually clear cut whether human factors will help or hurt the sucess of a technology. The human factors effects of a certain technology are usually two sided. There are is such a large list of human factors that it is not surprising that it is two sided.

If Human Factors effects are usually two-sided for technologies, how can we say that human factors is so important for technologies? One answer, from our definition and scope about human factors, is that human factors concerns itself with the value added interface between the technology and the user. The user is the paramount concern in human factors, and bridging the gap is the goal. Our proposed models of HF show this very well.

Another fairly clear point from our presentation is that human factors cross cuts with many other issues surrounding technologies. In our models we have placed it in between the other factors in strategic technology. With this position, it is clear that there will be interface of most other elements with human factors.

The HF design cycle brings up two very interesting points: considering the user and iteration. The second point is really a response to the first. What better way to consider the user than to actual iterate with the user's feedback? These are valuable points in any kind of design, not just design that is placed under human factors auspicies. Though once those principles of design are used, then perhaps it is valid to call it human factors design.

A final point to make is a summary point about the network computer. Though as stated above, human factors considerations play a part on both sides of the argument about the network computer, it is nevertheless essential that the NC designers take a human factors perspective to their designs if the network computer is to have any hope of succeeding. One thing clear from our study of human factors is that if the user is ignored, the technology is bound to fail.

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