All outputs

@unpublished{HT142,
   title = {Formal Approaches to Computing and Information Technology (edited by P.~Palanque and F.~Patern{\'o})},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {in press},
   journal = {Requirements Engineering}
}

@inproceedings{HT125,
   title = {Improving safety in medical devices and systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {in press},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the {IEEE} International Conference on Healthcare Informatics 2013 ({ICHI} 2013)},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Philadelphia, USA}
}

Seven segment number displays are ubiquitous and popular. They are simple and familiar. They seem to make economic sense, and with only seven segments they require little wiring and electronics to support. They are cheap to buy and cheap to use; they make seemingly effective and unproblematic products.

This paper illustrates many examples of problematic uses of seven segment displays that could have been better managed or even avoided. More generally, the paper raises design questions and some solutions to be considered when designing numerical displays, and certainly before uncritically using seven segment displays. Although there are markets and applications where cost may be an overriding consideration, for safety critical and other dependable types of use (including general purpose devices that may sometimes be used for critical tasks) more legible alternatives than standard seven segment displays should be preferred.

@inproceedings{health-sig-chi,
   title = {Reasons to Question Seven Segment Displays},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Seven segment number displays are ubiquitous and popular. They are simple and familiar. They seem to make economic sense, and with only seven segments they require little wiring and electronics to support. They are cheap to buy and cheap to use; they make seemingly effective and unproblematic products. 

This paper illustrates many examples of problematic uses of seven segment displays that could have been better managed or even avoided. More generally, the paper raises design questions and some solutions to be considered when designing numerical displays, and certainly before uncritically using seven segment displays. Although there are markets and applications where cost may be an overriding consideration, for safety critical and other dependable types of use (including general purpose devices that may sometimes be used for critical tasks) more legible alternatives than standard seven segment displays should be preferred.},
   year = {in press},
   booktitle = {Proceedings ACM Conference on Computer-Human Interaction --- CHI 2013},
   highlight = {Best Paper Award},
   publisher = {ACM}
}

A demonstration is presented of how automated reasoning tools can be used to check the predictability of a user interface. Predictability concerns the ability of a user to determine the outcomes of their actions reliably. It is especially important in situations such as a hospital ward where medical devices are assumed to be reliable devices by their expert users (clinicians) who are frequently interrupted and need to quickly and accurately continue a task. There are several forms of predictability. A definition is considered where information is only inferred from the current perceptible output of the system. In this definition, the user is not required to remember the history of actions that led to the current state. Higher-order logic is used to specify predictability, and the Symbolic Analysis Laboratory (SAL) is used to automatically verify predictability on real interactive number entry systems of two commercial drug infusion pumps — devices used in the healthcare domain to deliver fluids (e.g., medications, nutrients) into a patient’s body in controlled amounts. Areas of unpredictability are precisely identified with the analysis. Verified solutions that make an unpredictable system predictable are presented through design modifications and verified user strategies that mitigate against the identified issues.

@article{HT1,
   title = {The benefits of formalising design guidelines: {A} case study on the predictability of drug infusion pumps},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and \main{Paolo Masci} and Rimvydas {Ruk\v{s}\.{e}nas} and Patrick Oladimeji and Abigail Cauchi and Andy Gimblett and Yunqiu Li and Paul Curzon},
   abstract = {A demonstration is presented of how automated reasoning tools can be used to check the predictability of a user interface. Predictability concerns the ability of a user to determine the outcomes of their actions reliably. It is especially important in situations such as a hospital ward where medical devices are assumed to be reliable devices by their expert users (clinicians) who are frequently interrupted and need to quickly and accurately continue a task. There are several forms of predictability. A definition is considered where information is only inferred from the current perceptible output of the system. In this definition, the user is not required to remember the history of actions that led to the current state. Higher-order logic is used to specify predictability, and the Symbolic Analysis Laboratory (SAL) is used to automatically verify predictability on real interactive number entry systems of two commercial drug infusion pumps --- devices used in the healthcare domain to deliver fluids (e.g., medications, nutrients) into a patient's body in controlled amounts. Areas of unpredictability are precisely identified with the analysis. Verified solutions that make an unpredictable system predictable are presented through design modifications and verified user strategies that mitigate against the identified issues.},
   year = {in press},
   journal = {Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering}
}

@article{HT158,
   title = {Interaction design by algebra!?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {in press},
   journal = {ACM Interactions},
   publisher = {ACM}
}

@inproceedings{HT115,
   title = {Goal-based design improves interaction dependability},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Abigail Cauchi and Andy Gimblett and Paul Cairns and Anna Cox},
   year = {in press},
   booktitle = {Digital Engagement 2011},
   location = {Newcastle}
}

@unpublished{HT319,
   title = {Unsafe in any bed},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ross Koppel},
   year = {2013},
   location = {Taliesin Theatre, Swansea}
}

@presentation{HT480,
   title = {Human Error Is Not The Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {University of Kentucky, KY, USA}
}

@presentation{HT481,
   title = {Human Error Is Not The Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {University of Maryland, MD, USA}
}

@presentation{HT482,
   title = {Human Error Is Not The Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA}
}

@presentation{HT478,
   title = {Social network analysis and interactive device design analysis},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {Networks Research Group, Swansea University}
}

@presentation{HT479,
   title = {Traffic lights for medical device input},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {{US} Food and Drug Administration ({FDA}), MD, USA}
}

@article{HT2,
   title = {Action Graphs and User Performance Analysis},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   pages = {276--302},
   journal = {International Journal of Human-Computer Studies},
   url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581912001668},
   volume = {71},
   doi = {10.1016/j.ijhcs.2012.10.014},
   number = {3},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT377,
   title = {Human error is not the problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {Central Sterilising Club Annual Scientific Meeting, Bristol, UK}
}

@presentation{HT376,
   title = {Testing Safe Interaction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   location = {TEDx}
}

@presentation{HT375,
   title = {Our equipment isn't safe, and how to start fixing it},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   booktitle = {Advanced Critical Care Practitioners 1st National Conference},
   location = {Royal College of Anaethetists, London}
}

@inproceedings{HT126,
   title = {Unsafe healthcare devices, and how to improve them},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   booktitle = {Communicating medical errors (COME)},
   location = {Ascona, Switzerland}
}

@inproceedings{HT112,
   title = {Tully Meetings},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   booktitle = {Communicating Medical Error (COME)},
   location = {Ascona, Switzerland}
}

@article{HT150,
   title = {Targeting The Fitts Law},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2013},
   pages = {12--13},
   journal = {ACM Interactions},
   url = {http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/january-february-2013/targeting-the-fitts-law},
   volume = {XX},
   number = {1},
   grant = {matrix}
}

People who suffer from Diabetes are required to make frequent decisions on their personal treatment based on results from glucose monitors. Yet the results returned from the devices form only a part of the decision- making process. We seek to understand the role that glucose monitors have in patient’s management practices and how technology could support patients’ management further. From a series of interviews, we arrive at the hypothesis that the capture of the contextual information will both aid the understanding of results, and allow for enhanced support during non-routine occurrences.

@inproceedings{HT42,
   title = {Understanding User Requirements in Take-Home Diabetes Management},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Tom Owen}} and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {People who suffer from Diabetes are required to make frequent decisions on their personal treatment based on results from glucose monitors. Yet the results returned from the devices form only a part of the decision- making process. We seek to understand the role that glucose monitors have in patient's management practices and how technology could support patients' management further. From a series of interviews, we arrive at the hypothesis that the capture of the contextual information will both aid the understanding of results, and allow for enhanced support during non-routine occurrences.},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS Conference on HCI},
   pages = {268--273},
   volume = {XXVI},
   publisher = {Oxford University Press},
   location = {Birmingham, UK}
}

@presentation{HT485,
   title = {Welsh Computer Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Wales Science Advisory Committee}
}

@unpublished{HT320,
   title = {Widespread Errors are Fixable by Better Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Medical Equipment Libraries Forum},
   location = {Blackpool}
}

Differential formal analysis is a new user interface analytic evaluation method based on stochastic user simulation. The method is particularly valuable for evaluating safety critical user interfaces, which often have subtle programming issues. The approach starts with the identification of operational design features that define the design space to be explored. Two or more analysts are required to analyse all combinations of design features by simulating keystroke sequences containing keying slip errors. Each simulation produces numerical values that rank the design combinations on the basis of their sensitivity to keying slip errors. A systematic discussion of the simulation results is performed for assessing the causes of any discrepancy, either in numerical values or rankings. The process is iterated until outcomes are agreed upon. In short, the approach combines rigorous simulation of user slip errors with diversity in modelling and analysis methods.

Although the method can be applied to other types of user interface, it is demonstrated through a case study of 5-key number entry systems, which are a common safety critical user interface style found in many medical infusion pumps and elsewhere. The results uncover critical design issues, and are an important contribution of this paper since the results provide device manufacturers guidelines to update their device firmware to make their devices safer.

@inproceedings{HT40,
   title = {Safer ``5-key'' Number Entry User Interfaces using Differential Formal Analysis},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Abigail Cauchi and Andy Gimblett and Paul Curzon and Paolo Masci},
   abstract = {Differential formal analysis is a new user interface analytic evaluation method based on stochastic user simulation. The method is particularly valuable for evaluating safety critical user interfaces, which often have subtle programming issues. The approach starts with the identification of operational design features that define the design space to be explored. Two or more analysts are required to analyse all combinations of design features by simulating keystroke sequences containing keying slip errors. Each simulation produces numerical values that rank the design combinations on the basis of their sensitivity to keying slip errors. A systematic discussion of the simulation results is performed for assessing the causes of any discrepancy, either in numerical values or rankings. The process is iterated until outcomes are agreed upon. In short, the approach combines rigorous simulation of user slip errors with diversity in modelling and analysis methods.

Although the method can be applied to other types of user interface, it is demonstrated through a case study of 5-key number entry systems, which are a common safety critical user interface style found in many medical infusion pumps and elsewhere. The results uncover critical design issues, and are an important contribution of this paper since the results provide device manufacturers guidelines to update their device firmware to make their devices safer.},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS Conference on HCI},
   pages = {29--38},
   volume = {XXVI},
   publisher = {Oxford University Press},
   location = {Birmingham, UK}
}

@inproceedings{HT39,
   title = {Investigating Collaborative Annotation on Slate PCs},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jennifer Pearson and George Buchanan},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {MobileHCI'12: 14th International Conference on Human Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services},
   pages = {413--416},
   isbn = {978-1-4503-1105-2},
   url = {http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/2371574.2371637},
   highlight = {ACM SIGCHI Honorable Mention},
   doi = {10.1145/2371574.2371637},
   location = {San Francisco, California, USA},
   publisher = {ACM}
}

@unpublished{HT322,
   title = {Improving Medicines Safety with new technology},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Royal Pharmaceutical Society Medicines Safety Symposium},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {London}
}

@article{jen-iwc,
   title = {The {Digital Reading Desk}: {A} Lightweight Approach to Digital Note-taking},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jennifer Pearson}} and George Buchanan},
   year = {2012},
   pages = {327--338},
   journal = {Interacting with Computers},
   volume = {24},
   doi = {10.1016/j.intcom.2012.03.001},
   number = {5}
}

@inproceedings{HT44,
   title = {Simulation to Evaluate Alternative Approaches to Blocking Use Errors},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Abigail Cauchi and Andy Gimblett},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Design of Medical Devices Conference}
}

@article{errorbug2,
   title = {Reaching to the Stars with {IT} Projects},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   pages = {20--21},
   journal = {Public Service Review: {UK} Science \& Technology},
   volume = {5}
}

@inproceedings{HT43,
   title = {Co-Reading: Investigating Collaborative Group Reading},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{J. Pearson}} and George Buchanan and Tom Owen},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {12th {ACM+IEEE} Joint Conference on Digital Libraries, {JCDL}},
   pages = {325--334},
   isbn = {978-1-4503-1154-0},
   url = {http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/2232817.2232876},
   doi = {10.1145/2232817.2232876},
   location = {Washington, DC, USA},
   publisher = {ACM},
   address = {New York, NY, USA},
   keywords = {co-reading, collaboration, slate PCs}
}

@article{HT151,
   title = {Designing {IT} to Reduce Drug Dose Error},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   pages = {30--33},
   journal = {Med-Tech Innovation},
   url = {http://www.med-techinnovation.com},
   number = {11}
}

@article{HT189,
   title = {Hardware with a human heart},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {19 April, 2012},
   booktitle = {Turing's Cathedral (by G.~Dyson)},
   pages = {54},
   journal = {Times Higher Education},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=419650},
   number = {2,046}
}

@unpublished{HT323,
   title = {Blindspots and Safer Medical Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {DesignMed Europe},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Stuttgart, Germany}
}

Peer reviewing of papers is the mainstay of modern academic publishing but it has well known problems. In this paper, we take a statistical modelling view to show a particular problem in the use of selectivity measures to indicate the quality of a conference. One key problem with the process of conference reviewing is the failure to make a useful feedback loop between the referees of the papers accepted at the conference and their importance, acceptance and relevance to the audience. In addition, we make some new criticisms of selectivity as a measure of quality.

This paper is literally a work in progress because the 2012 BCS HCI itself conference will be used to close the feedback loop by making the connection between the reviews provided on papers and your (audience) perceptions of the papers. At the conference, participants will generate the results of this work.

@inproceedings{HT41,
   title = {How Good is this Conference? Evaluating Conference Reviewing and Selectivity},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Cairns},
   abstract = {Peer reviewing of papers is the mainstay of modern academic publishing but it has well known problems. In this paper, we take a statistical modelling view to show a particular problem in the use of selectivity measures to indicate the quality of a conference. One key problem with the process of conference reviewing is the failure to make a useful feedback loop between the referees of the papers accepted at the conference and their importance, acceptance and relevance to the audience. In addition, we make some new criticisms of selectivity as a measure of quality.

This paper is literally a work in progress because the 2012 BCS HCI itself conference will be used to close the feedback loop by making the connection between the reviews provided on papers and your (audience) perceptions of the papers. At the conference, participants will generate the results of this work.},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS Conference on HCI},
   pages = {410--415},
   volume = {XXVI},
   publisher = {Oxford University Press},
   location = {Birmingham, UK}
}

@presentation{HT488,
   title = {Thinking about Computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore}
}

@presentation{HT487,
   title = {Designing safer medical devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Queen Mary, London}
}

@presentation{HT486,
   title = {Re-affordance --- taking affordance into interaction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute}
}

@presentation{HT483,
   title = {Human Error Is Not The Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Fraunhofer Institute, Mannheim, Germany}
}

@presentation{HT490,
   title = {Safer Medical Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Nanyang Technological University, Singapore}
}

Software should be correct and robust. This paper suggests that we need forthright words for the failure of not being robust — heedless and heedlessness — and of recursively creating software (such as a compiler or virtual machine) that itself does not support dependable software development. Heedless programming is common, particularly affecting “trivial” operations such as on numbers, and extends deep into programming language design and into the use of computers more widely, thus making robust, dependable applications of all sorts unnecessarily problematic. The paper defines the problem and presents a call to action to start addressing the problems identified.

@article{heedless-spae,
   title = {Heedless Programming: {I}gnoring Detectable Error is a Widespread Hazard},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Software should be correct and robust. This paper suggests that we need forthright words for the failure of not being robust --- \emph{heedless\/} and \emph{heedlessness} --- and of recursively creating software (such as a compiler or virtual machine) that itself does not support dependable software development. Heedless programming is common, particularly affecting ``trivial'' operations such as on numbers, and extends deep into programming language design and into the use of computers more widely, thus making robust, dependable applications of all sorts unnecessarily problematic. The paper defines the problem and presents a call to action to start addressing the problems identified.},
   year = {2012},
   pages = {1393--1407},
   journal = {Software --- Practice {\&} Experience},
   volume = {42},
   doi = {10.1002/spe.1141},
   number = {11}
}

Written numbers have evolved over centuries and we understand them, yet once we think about interacting with numbers interesting subtleties arise. For example, the FDA and the Institute of Safe Medication Practices have some well-meaning rules for writing drug doses (e.g., don’t write 5.0 mL because it might be confused with 50 mL, so write it as 5 mL) yet they don’t work as a number is being written, and hence they can’t work as invariants during interaction with computers. Even things as mundane as handheld calculators have problems: almost all of them show "0." whether or not the user has keyed 0 or the decimal point. This causes unnecessary problems and hazards.

This seminar introduces interactive numbers and shows how interaction can be improved to reduce error and confusion. In domains like healthcare, where people die from wrong numbers (to say nothing of possibilities for messes in Excel...) it is astonishing that interactive numbers have not been explored before. This seminar demonstrates that “interactive numbers” are as important a concept as Arabic numerals were in ending the Roman numeral/abacus era.

@presentation{HT484,
   title = {Interactive Numbers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Written numbers have evolved over centuries and we understand them, yet once we think about interacting with numbers interesting subtleties arise. For example, the FDA and the Institute of Safe Medication Practices have some well-meaning rules for writing drug doses (e.g., don't write 5.0 mL because it might be confused with 50 mL, so write it as 5 mL) yet they don't work as a number is being written, and hence they can't work as invariants during interaction with computers. Even things as mundane as handheld calculators have problems: almost all of them show "0." whether or not the user has keyed 0 or the decimal point. This causes unnecessary problems and hazards.

This seminar introduces interactive numbers and shows how interaction can be improved to reduce error and confusion. In domains like healthcare, where people die from wrong numbers (to say nothing of possibilities for messes in Excel...) it is astonishing that interactive numbers have not been explored before. This seminar demonstrates that ``interactive numbers'' are as important a concept as Arabic numerals were in ending the Roman numeral/abacus era.},
   year = {2012},
   location = {SRI International, San Francisco}
}

@presentation{HT489,
   title = {Successful research strategies},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   location = {Health Communication and Information Strategic Initiative, Singapore}
}

@article{HT3,
   title = {Analysis of Infusion Pump Error Logs and Their Significance for Healthcare},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Lee and Frankie Thompson},
   year = {2012},
   pages = {S12--S22},
   journal = {British Journal of Nursing},
   volume = {21},
   number = {8}
}

@article{HT188,
   title = {Digital lyric, analogue tune},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {21 June, 2012},
   booktitle = {Net Smart (by H.~Rheingold)},
   pages = {54},
   journal = {Times Higher Education},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=420352&c=1},
   number = {2,055}
}

Quantitative analysis of data log files from infusion pumps used in a large acute NHS hospital.

@inproceedings{HT113,
   title = {Are Prescribed Infusions Running as Intended?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Lee and Carlos Monroy~Aceves and Patrick Oladimeji},
   abstract = {Quantitative analysis of data log files from infusion pumps used in a large acute NHS hospital.},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {Third National Infusion and Vascular Access Society Conference},
   location = {London}
}

@unpublished{HT321,
   title = {Safe Interaction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {IFIP WG 10.4},
   location = {Rockport, Massachusetts}
}

@inproceedings{HT114,
   title = {From Rotary Telephones to Universal Number Entry Systems: Can the Past Re-shape the Future?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Julie Webster}} and Parisa Eslambolchilar},
   year = {2012},
   booktitle = {14th ACM International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, UbiComp'2012}
}

Number entry is an ubiquitous task in medical devices, but is implemented in many different ways, from decimal keypads to seemingly simple up/down buttons. Operator manuals often do not give clear and complete explanations, and all approaches have subtle variations, with details varying from device to device. This paper explores the design issues, critiques designs, and shows that methods have advantages and disadvantages, particularly in terms of undetected error rates.

@inproceedings{HT48,
   title = {Towards Dependable Number Entry for Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Abigail Cauchi and Paul Curzon and Parisa Eslambolchilar and Andy Gimblett and Huayi Huang and Paul Lee and Yunqiu Li and Paolo Masci and Patrick Oladimeji and Rimvydas {Ruk\v{s}\.{e}nas}},
   abstract = {Number entry is an ubiquitous task in medical devices, but is implemented in many different ways, from decimal keypads to seemingly simple up/down buttons. Operator manuals often do not give clear and complete explanations, and all approaches have subtle variations, with details varying from device to device. This paper explores the design issues, critiques designs, and shows that methods have advantages and disadvantages, particularly in terms of undetected error rates.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM SIGCHI} Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems ({EICS}): Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care},
   pages = {53--58},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Pisa, Italy}
}

We introduce an architectural software formalism, buffer automata, for the specification, implementation and analysis of a particular class of discrete interactive systems and devices. The approach defines a layer between the physical user interface and the application (if any) and provides a clear framework for highlighting a number of interaction design issues.

@inproceedings{buffer-eics,
   title = {{Buffer} {Automata}: a {UI} architecture prioritising {HCI} concerns for interactive devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Andy Gimblett and Abigail Cauchi},
   abstract = {We introduce an architectural software formalism, {\emph{buffer automata}}, for the specification, implementation and analysis of a particular class of discrete interactive systems and devices. The approach defines a layer between the physical user interface and the application (if any) and provides a clear framework for highlighting a number of interaction design issues.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} Engineering Interactive Computer Systems --- {EICS} 2011},
   pages = {73--78},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Pisa, Italy},
   grant = {matrix}
}

Seven segment number displays are ubiquitous and popular. They make economic sense: they are simple, and with only seven on/off segments, they require very little wiring and electronics to support. They are cheap to buy and cheap to use; they make cheap and seemingly effective products.

We show how seven segment may be more or less dependable, and suggest some improvements to standard designs. However, we argue that for dependable domains (healthcare, avionics, etc) and for handheld devices that may be used in dependable domains, seven segment displays should not be used.

The paper includes many recommendations for developers and purchasers.

@inproceedings{7-hci,
   title = {don't use 7-segment displays},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Seven segment number displays are ubiquitous and popular. They make economic sense: they are simple, and with only seven on/off segments, they require very little wiring and electronics to support. They are cheap to buy and cheap to use; they make cheap and seemingly effective products. 

We show how seven segment may be more or less dependable, and suggest some improvements to standard designs. However, we argue that for dependable domains (healthcare, avionics, etc) and for handheld devices that may be used in dependable domains, seven segment displays should not be used. 

The paper includes many recommendations for developers and purchasers.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS Conference on HCI},
   pages = {3C:1--6},
   publisher = {Oxford University Press},
   location = {Newcastle, England}
}

This workshop brings together and develops the community of researchers and practitioners concerned with the design and evaluation of interactive medical devices (infusion pumps, etc) and systems (electronic patient records, etc), to deliver a roadmap for future research in this area. The workshop involves researchers and practitioners designing and evaluating dependable systems in a variety of contexts, and those developing innovative interactive computer systems for healthcare. These pose particular challenges because of the inherent variability — of patients, system configurations, and so on. Participants will represent a range of perspectives, including safety engineering and innovative design.

@inproceedings{HT47,
   title = {Engineering Interactive Computer Systems for Medicine and Healthcare, {EICS4Med}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford and Giuseppe De Pietro and Luigi Gallo and Andy Gimblett and Patrick Oladimeji},
   abstract = {This workshop brings together and develops the community of researchers and practitioners concerned with the design and evaluation of interactive medical devices (infusion pumps, etc) and systems (electronic patient records, etc), to deliver a roadmap for future research in this area. The workshop involves researchers and practitioners designing and evaluating dependable systems in a variety of contexts, and those developing innovative interactive computer systems for healthcare. These pose particular challenges because of the inherent variability --- of patients, system configurations, and so on. Participants will represent a range of perspectives, including safety engineering and innovative design.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM SIGCHI} Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems --- {EICS2011}},
   pages = {341--342},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Pisa, Italy}
}

We define predictability of a user interface as the property that a user can predict with sufficient certainty the effect of any action in a given state in a system, where state information is inferred from the perceptible output of the system. In our definition, the user is not required to have full knowledge of a history of actions from an initial state to the current state. A predicting user relies on cognitive and knowledge assumptions; in this paper we explore the notion in the situation where the user is an expert and understands perfectly how the device works. In this situation predictability concerns whether the user can tell what state the device is in and accurately predict the consequences of an action from that state simply by looking at the device. We give a formal definition of predictability in higher order logic and explore how real systems can be verified against the property. We specify two real number entry interfaces in the medical domain as case studies of predictable and unpredictable user interfaces. We analyse the specifications with respect to our formal definition of predictability and thus show how to make unpredictable systems predictable.

@article{number-fmis,
   title = {The Benefits of Formalising Interactive Number Entry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Andy Gimblett and Rimvydas {Ruk\v{s}\.{e}nas} and Patrick Oladimeji and Abigail Cauchi and Y. Li and P. Curzon and Paolo Masci},
   abstract = {We define \emph{predictability of a user interface\/} as the property that a user can predict with sufficient certainty the effect of any action in a given state in a system, where state information is inferred from the perceptible output of the system. In our definition, the user is not required to have full knowledge of a history of actions from an initial state to the current state. A predicting user relies on cognitive and knowledge assumptions; in this paper we explore the notion in the situation where the user is an expert and understands perfectly how the device works. In this situation predictability concerns whether the user can tell what state the device is in and accurately predict the consequences of an action from that state simply by looking at the device. We give a formal definition of predictability in higher order logic and explore how real systems can be verified against the property. We specify two real number entry interfaces in the medical domain as case studies of predictable and unpredictable user interfaces. We analyse the specifications with respect to our formal definition of predictability and thus show how to make unpredictable systems predictable.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {{FMIS} 2011, 4th International Workshop on Formal Methods for Interactive Systems},
   pages = {1/14--14/14},
   journal = {Electronic Communications of the EASST},
   volume = {45},
   issn = {1863-2122},
   location = {Limerick, Ireland},
   grant = {matrix}
}

Keyed data entry is fundamental and ubiquitous, occurring when filling data fields in web forms, entering burglar alarm pass-codes, using calculators, entering drug delivery rates in infusion pumps, making cash withdrawals from cash machines, setting destinations for GPS navigation, to name but a few of its applications. Unfortunately data entry is often implemented poorly.

We introduce divergence, a loss of predictability in a user interface, and show that it is in general unavoidable in data entry, and therefore a systematic approach is called for. This paper presents one such an approach. Many inter-related ideas “fall into place”—e.g., autocompletion, prompting, automatic color coding—through the approach. The approach contrasts with conventional systems that are generally inconsistent and unhelpful to users, particularly after errors.

@article{regex-fmis,
   title = {Dependable Keyed Data Entry for Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Andy Gimblett},
   abstract = {Keyed data entry is fundamental and ubiquitous, occurring when filling data fields in web forms, entering burglar alarm pass-codes, using calculators, entering drug delivery rates in infusion pumps, making cash withdrawals from cash machines, setting destinations for GPS navigation, to name but a few of its applications. Unfortunately data entry is often implemented poorly.

We introduce {\emph{divergence}}, a loss of predictability in a user interface, and show that it is in general unavoidable in data entry, and therefore a systematic approach is called for. This paper presents one such an approach. Many inter-related ideas ``fall into place''---e.g., autocompletion, prompting, automatic color coding---through the approach. The approach contrasts with conventional systems that are generally inconsistent and unhelpful to users, particularly after errors.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {{FMIS} 2011, 4th International Workshop on Formal Methods for Interactive Systems},
   pages = {1/16--16/16},
   journal = {Electronic Communications of the EASST},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/regex},
   volume = {45},
   doi = {10.1145/1996461.1996497},
   issn = {1863-2122},
   location = {Limerick, Ireland},
   grant = {matrix}
}

The design of medical devices directly affects the way healthcare practitioners carry out their daily tasks. Users welcome design that takes into account the clinical environment, in which the device is operated and is compatible with their workflow. However, if the design fails to fit, the likelihood of errors increases, which will put patient safety at risk. In this paper, we report current practice related to UCD (User Centred Design) in the context of medical device, focusing on end user feedback mechanisms deployed in pre-market and post-market phases of the device lifecycle. The results of an interview and workshop study are reported, revealing shortcomings in current feedback channels. In reaction to these shortcomings, we discuss the advantages and feasibility of enabling automatic feedback channel in medical device design, to ensure the quality and the effectiveness of feedback.

@inproceedings{HT45,
   title = {Design of Interactive Medical Devices: Feedback and Its Improvement},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Yunqiu Li}} and Patrick Oladimeji and Carlos Monroy~Aceves and Abigail Cauchi and Dominic Furniss and Chris Vincent and Ann Blandford},
   abstract = {The design of medical devices directly affects the way healthcare practitioners carry out their daily tasks. Users welcome design that takes into account the clinical environment, in which the device is operated and is compatible with their workflow. However, if the design fails to fit, the likelihood of errors increases, which will put patient safety at risk. In this paper, we report current practice related to UCD (User Centred Design) in the context of medical device, focusing on end user feedback mechanisms deployed in pre-market and post-market phases of the device lifecycle. The results of an interview and workshop study are reported, revealing shortcomings in current feedback channels. In reaction to these shortcomings, we discuss the advantages and feasibility of enabling automatic feedback channel in medical device design, to ensure the quality and the effectiveness of feedback.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings IEEE International Symposium on IT in Medicine {\&} Education --- ITME 2011},
   pages = {204--208},
   location = {China}
}

Medical device logs are currently used for incident investigation, technical support, monitoring patterns of usage and so on. This paper explores issues on visualizing device logs to discover how devices are used or misused in practice. This paper includes an analysis of logs from 58 infusion pumps of the same model. We give examples of presenting logs graphically, which makes them more prominent. Making logs visible should raise awareness of incidents that occur everyday, as well as the general value of logs.

@inproceedings{HT46,
   title = {Visualising Medical Device Logs},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Patrick Oladimeji and Yunqiu Li and Abigail Cauchi and Parisa Eslambolchilar and Andy Gimblett and Paul Lee},
   abstract = {Medical device logs are currently used for incident investigation, technical support, monitoring patterns of usage and so on. This paper explores issues on visualizing device logs to discover how devices are used or misused in practice. This paper includes an analysis of logs from 58 infusion pumps of the same model. We give examples of presenting logs graphically, which makes them more prominent. Making logs visible should raise awareness of incidents that occur everyday, as well as the general value of logs.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings first BCS Health Wales/ehi2 Joint Workshop},
   pages = {23--26},
   location = {Wrexham},
   publisher = {BCS}
}

@inproceedings{numbers-interact,
   title = {Number Entry Interfaces and their Effects on Errors and Number Perception},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Patrick Oladimeji}} and Anna Cox},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings IFIP Conference on Human-Computer Interaction --- Interact 2011},
   pages = {178--185},
   isbn = {978-3-642-23767-6},
   volume = {IV},
   location = {Lisbon, Portugal},
   publisher = {Springer-Verlag}
}

@inbook{HT271,
   title = {Technology to Reduce Human Error in Healthcare},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Big ideas for the future},
   pages = {33},
   url = {http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/Publications/reports/Pages/BigIdeas.aspx},
   publisher = {Research Councils UK (RCUK)}
}

@article{HT193,
   title = {Next level: call of social duty},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {12 May, 2011},
   booktitle = {Reality is broken: Why games make us better and how they can change the world (by Jane McGonigal)},
   pages = {54},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=416081},
   number = {1,998}
}

@article{HT191,
   title = {See, hear and seek no evil},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {11 August, 2011},
   booktitle = {The Googlization of Everything---and Why We Should Worry (by S.~Vaidhyanathan)},
   pages = {48},
   journal = {Times Higher Education},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=417065},
   number = {2,011}
}

@article{HT192,
   title = {How to get {What We Want} from {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {26 May, 2011},
   booktitle = {Programming the World Wide Web (by Robert W.~Sebesta)},
   pages = {vi},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=416312},
   number = {2,000}
}

@article{HT194,
   title = {Another view ({LOL}, Lots of Love)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {14 February, 2011},
   pages = {21},
   journal = {The Guardian},
   url = {http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/feb/13/harold-thimbleby-lol-social-networking?INTCMP=SRCH}
}

@article{HT190,
   title = {Relight the fire of the mind, online},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1 December, 2011},
   booktitle = {Reinventing Discovery (by M.~Nielsen)},
   pages = {58},
   journal = {Times Higher Education},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=418270},
   number = {2,027}
}

@inproceedings{HT116,
   title = {The reading desk: Supporting Lightweight Note-taking in Digital Documents},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jennifer Pearson and George Buchanan},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 15th international conference on Theory and practice of digital libraries: Research and advanced technology for digital libraries},
   note = {Pearson2011ReadingDesk},
   pages = {438--441},
   isbn = {978-3-642-24468-1},
   url = {http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2042536.2042594},
   series = {TPDL'11},
   location = {Berlin, Germany},
   numpages = {4},
   publisher = {Springer-Verlag},
   address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}
}

@article{errorbug,
   title = {Errors + Bugs Needn't Mean Death},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   pages = {18--19},
   journal = {Public Service Review: {UK} Science \& Technology},
   volume = {2}
}

Summary report of the 1st International Workshop on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care (EICS4Med 2011)

@inproceedings{HT141,
   title = {The biggest challenges are the social ones: Workshop report from {EICS4Med 2011}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford and Giuseppe De Pietro and Luigi Gallo and Andy Gimblett and Patrick Oladimeji},
   abstract = {Summary report of the 1st International Workshop on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care (EICS4Med 2011)},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care},
   pages = {81--82},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Pisa, Italy}
}

@inproceedings{HT127,
   title = {Interactive numbers --- {A} grand challenge},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of {IHCI} 2011: {IADIS} International Conference Interfaces and Human Computer Interaction 2011},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {xxviii--xxxv},
   editor = {K. Blashki},
   location = {Rome, Italy},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT378,
   title = {The science of HCI},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Designing Digital Futures Workshops},
   location = {Sony, Pencoed}
}

@presentation{HT379,
   title = {The science of HCI},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Designing Digital Futures Workshops},
   location = {Ty Menai, Bangor}
}

@unpublished{HT324,
   title = {Widespread Errors are Fixable by Better Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {15th National Biomedical and Clinical Engineering Conference},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Birmingham}
}

Reading is increasingly being performed interactively on-screen; for instance, new novels are now routinely released in electronic format for viewing on PCs and mobile devices. Unfortunately, on-screen reading loses many of the natural features of conventional physical media, such as the ability to annotate, slip in bookmarks, turn page corners, and so on. How best should these features be represented electronically? Can computerized representations give benefits that excel the conventional benefits of paper? We describe the design and implementation of a novel reading system that mimics key properties of paper and surpasses them by incorporating digital techniques. A comparative user study evaluating the system confirmed the effectiveness of the features and the value of the system as a whole.

@inproceedings{book-chi,
   title = {The Reading Desk: Applying Physical Interactions to Digital Documents},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jennifer Pearson}} and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {Reading is increasingly being performed interactively on-screen; for instance, new novels are now routinely released in electronic format for viewing on PCs and mobile devices. Unfortunately, on-screen reading loses many of the natural features of conventional physical media, such as the ability to annotate, slip in bookmarks, turn page corners, and so on. How best should these features be represented electronically? Can computerized representations give benefits that excel the conventional benefits of paper? We describe the design and implementation of a novel reading system that mimics key properties of paper and surpasses them by incorporating digital techniques. A comparative user study evaluating the system confirmed the effectiveness of the features and the value of the system as a whole.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings ACM Conference on Computer-Human Interaction --- CHI'2011},
   pages = {3199--3202},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Vancouver, BC, Canada}
}

Health and how to support it with interactive computer systems, networks, and devices is a global and, for many countries, an explicit national priority. Significant interest in issues related to interactive systems for health has been demonstrated repeatedly within SIGCHI. A community focused on health started in 2010, fostering collaboration and dissemination of research findings as well as bridging with practitioners. As part of this community’s on-going efforts, we will hold a special interest group session during ACM CHI 2011 to discuss, prioritize, and promote some of these most pressing issues facing the community.

@inproceedings{health-sig-chi,
   title = {Interactive Technologies for Health Special Interest Group},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Helena Mentis and Julie A. Kientz and Gillian R. Hayes and Madhu Reddy},
   abstract = {Health and how to support it with interactive computer systems, networks, and devices is a global and, for many countries, an explicit national priority. Significant interest in issues related to interactive systems for health has been demonstrated repeatedly within SIGCHI{\@}. A community focused on health started in 2010, fostering collaboration and dissemination of research findings as well as bridging with practitioners. As part of this community's on-going efforts, we will hold a special interest group session during {ACM} {CHI} 2011 to discuss, prioritize, and promote some of these most pressing issues facing the community.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings ACM Conference on Computer-Human Interaction --- CHI 2011},
   pages = {519--522},
   doi = {10.1145/1979742.1979535},
   publisher = {ACM}
}

@book{HT267,
   title = {Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care},
   year = {2011},
   note = {(86pp)},
   editor = {Ann Blandford and Giuseppe De Pietro and Luigi Gallo and Andy Gimblett and Patrick Oladimeji and Harold Thimbleby},
   location = {Pisa, Italy}
}

@unpublished{HT326,
   title = {Safer Health IT},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Aspiring to Clinical Excellence Conference, Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists/UK Clinical Pharmacy Association, 7th Joint National Conference},
   location = {Nottingham}
}

@unpublished{HT329,
   title = {Looking Beyond `Human Error' to its Causes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Patient Safety and Clinical Decision Making},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, Scotland}
}

@unpublished{HT328,
   title = {Looking Beyond `Human Error' to its Causes and Prevention},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Scottish Intensive Care Society Annual Scientific Meeting},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {St Andrews, Scotland}
}

@unpublished{HT327,
   title = {Secrets of Research Success},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {{SICSA} ({Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance}) {PhD} Conference 2011},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Edinburgh, Scotland},
   video = {http://wn.com/Harold_Thimbleby__Secrets_of_Successful_Research_SICSA_2011_Keynote}
}

We report on a case study investigating current practice in the use of a programmable infusion pump. We start by formalising an existing description of the procedure followed by nurses for setting up a commercial infusion pump obtained via observation and interview. We then compare and contrast this procedure with a formal description of the sequence of actions reported in the pump’s user manual. Mismatches were validated by a training manager. The aim of this comparison is to point out how minor mismatches between the two descriptions can be used to reveal major safety issues. Our contributions are: first, we analyse a real-world system and show the importance of having a clear and consistent specification of the procedures; second, we show how a graph-based notation can be conveniently used as the basis for building non-ambiguous and intuitive specifications in higher-order logic. We argue that this can provide support to an investigator when building a description of actual practice in that it can help focus attention on areas to observe more closely and on questions to ask to understand why procedures, as followed, are the way they are.

@inproceedings{HT49,
   title = {Comparing Actual Practice and User Manuals: A Case Study Based on Programmable Infusion Pumps},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford and Abigail Cauchi and Paul Curzon and Parisa Eslambolchilar and Dominic Furniss and Andy Gimblett and Huayi Huang and Paul Lee and Yunqiu Li and {\main{Paolo Masci}} and Patrick Oladimeji and Atish Rjakomar and Rimvydas {Ruk\v{s}\.{e}nas}},
   abstract = {We report on a case study investigating current practice in the use of a programmable infusion pump. We start by formalising an existing description of the procedure followed by nurses for setting up a commercial infusion pump obtained via observation and interview. We then compare and contrast this procedure with a formal description of the sequence of actions reported in the pump's user manual. Mismatches were validated by a training manager. The aim of this comparison is to point out how minor mismatches between the two descriptions can be used to reveal major safety issues. Our contributions are: first, we analyse a real-world system and show the importance of having a clear and consistent specification of the procedures; second, we show how a graph-based notation can be conveniently used as the basis for building non-ambiguous and intuitive specifications in higher-order logic. We argue that this can provide support to an investigator when building a description of actual practice in that it can help focus attention on areas to observe more closely and on questions to ask to understand why procedures, as followed, are the way they are.},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM SIGCHI} Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems ({EICS}): Engineering Interactive Computing Systems for Medicine and Health Care},
   pages = {59--64},
   publisher = {ACM},
   location = {Pisa, Italy}
}

@unpublished{HT325,
   title = {Dependable User Interfaces --- Avoiding Computer-provoked ``Human Error'' in Medical Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   booktitle = {24th {IEEE} International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems ({CBMS} 2011)},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Bristol, England}
}

@presentation{HT504,
   title = {Helping industry, Helping healthcare, Doing engineering, Pushing science?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {UCL}
}

@presentation{HT505,
   title = {Rules for dependable number entry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {UCL}
}

@presentation{HT502,
   title = {Secrets of Extreme Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Welsh Crucible}
}

A short film clip about medical device design, about the problems and opportunities to improve design.

@article{saferdesignyt,
   title = {Saving lives by design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {A short film clip about medical device design, about the problems and opportunities to improve design.},
   year = {2011},
   journal = {YouTube},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/saferdesign},
   video = {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiGsPR34w8}
}

@presentation{HT501,
   title = {Tools and techniques for analysing medical devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {UCL}
}

@presentation{HT506,
   title = {Unseen bugs: Reducing mortality},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Brunel University}
}

@presentation{HT507,
   title = {Num63r bug5},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Sussex University}
}

@presentation{HT491,
   title = {Numbers, Numbers Everywhere, and None you can Trust --- Not Yet!},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Cardiff Scientific Society}
}

@presentation{HT492,
   title = {Avoiding death by computer},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Swansea Science Caf{\'e}}
}

@presentation{HT493,
   title = {Computer Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Cadbury College, Birmingham}
}

@presentation{HT508,
   title = {Reducing mortality from IT bugs},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {University of California at Berkeley}
}

@presentation{HT500,
   title = {Avoiding computer-provoked `human error' in medical systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Health Sciences and Technology, MIT}
}

@presentation{HT503,
   title = {Interactive numbers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {City University}
}

@presentation{HT498,
   title = {Computer Systems and Human Error},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {UCL}
}

@presentation{HT496,
   title = {Seeing Bugs in Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Fudan University}
}

@presentation{HT495,
   title = {Designing Safer Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Shanghai Jiao Tong University}
}

@presentation{HT494,
   title = {`Human error' in automated medical systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {BCS Mid Wales AGM}
}

@presentation{HT499,
   title = {Computational approaches to reducing error},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Stanford Research Institute}
}

@presentation{HT497,
   title = {Designing Safer Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2011},
   location = {Nanjing University}
}

@presentation{HT509,
   title = {Using digital stories for research and learning},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling, Glamorgan}
}

@presentation{HT510,
   title = {Research collaboration},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Middlesex University}
}

@article{IT-dangerous,
   title = {Is {IT} a Dangerous Prescription?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {5--10},
   journal = {BCS Interfaces},
   volume = {84}
}

@presentation{HT512,
   title = {How to write research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {UCL}
}

Motivation — Designers make decisions that later influence how users work with the systems that they have designed. When errors occur in use, it is tempting to focus on the active errors rather than on the latent design decisions that framed the context of error, and fixing latent conditions can have a more general (and future) impact than addressing particular active failures. Research approach — A constructive computer science approach is used, and results from a simulation reported. Research limitations — Error is a complex multidisciplinary field; this paper makes a new contribution complimentary to human factors engineering. Take away message — This paper shows that latent design decisions cause serious problems (including fatalities) in safety critical applications; the paper proposes UI discovery tools to identify and manage latent errors. UI discovery enables human factors engineers and programmers to work together to help eliminate broad classes of latent design errors.

@article{latent-ijhcs,
   title = {Avoiding Latent Design Conditions Using UI Discovery Tools},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Motivation --- Designers make decisions that later influence how users work with the systems that they have designed. When errors occur in use, it is tempting to focus on the active errors rather than on the latent design decisions that framed the context of error, and fixing latent conditions can have a more general (and future) impact than addressing particular active failures. Research approach --- A constructive computer science approach is used, and results from a simulation reported. Research limitations --- Error is a complex multidisciplinary field; this paper makes a new contribution complimentary to human factors engineering. Take away message --- This paper shows that latent design decisions cause serious problems (including fatalities) in safety critical applications; the paper proposes UI discovery tools to identify and manage latent errors. UI discovery enables human factors engineers and programmers to work together to help eliminate broad classes of latent design errors.},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {1--12},
   journal = {International Journal of Human-Computer Studies},
   volume = {26},
   doi = {10.1080/10447310903498692},
   number = {2},
   grant = {matrix}
}

Signposts make complex documents more flexible and easier to read; signposts exist in many forms, but are familiar as cross references and as hypertext links. Signposting systems need to be carefully designed, so that they are reliable, easy to use for readers yet convenient for authors to embed in their writing. There are fundamental problems in achieving good signposting, which this paper explores through cross referencing in the popular medium of LaT_EX, which is often the typesetting system of choice for heavily cross referenced documents.

This paper provides an implementation of cross references for LaT_EX users. Problems with LaT_EX and T_EX arise, and are explored and mostly solved: some problems are due to the designs of these systems, but, crucially, some problems are unavoidable, an inevitable part of signposting in principle, whatever systems are used, even including the web.

@article{signposts,
   title = {Signposting in documents},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Signposts make complex documents more flexible and easier to read; signposts exist in many forms, but are familiar as cross references and as hypertext links. Signposting systems need to be carefully designed, so that they are reliable, easy to use for readers yet convenient for authors to embed in their writing. There are fundamental problems in achieving good signposting, which this paper explores through cross referencing in the popular medium of {\LaTeX}, which is often the typesetting system of choice for heavily cross referenced documents.

This paper provides an implementation of cross references for {\LaTeX} users. Problems with {\LaTeX} and {\TeX} arise, and are explored and mostly solved: some problems are due to the designs of these systems, but, crucially, some problems are unavoidable, an inevitable part of signposting in principle, whatever systems are used, even including the web.},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {1119--1135},
   journal = {Computer Journal},
   volume = {54},
   doi = {10.1093/comjnl/bxq061},
   publisher = {OUP},
   number = {7}
}

@article{hci4med-ijhcs,
   title = {Human-Computer Interaction for Medicine and Health Care (HCI4MED): Towards making information usable},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Andreas Holzinger}} and Russell Beale},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {325--327},
   journal = {International Journal of Human-Computer Studies},
   volume = {68},
   doi = {10.1016/j.ijhcs.2010.03.001},
   number = {6}
}

@article{inclusion-iwc,
   title = {Inclusion and interaction: Designing interaction for inclusive populations},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Patrick Langdon},
   year = {2010},
   aftertitle = {Foreword},
   pages = {439--448},
   isbn = {978--972--8939--52-6},
   journal = {Interacting with Computers},
   volume = {22},
   doi = {10.1016/j.intcom.2010.08.007},
   number = {6}
}

@presentation{HT381,
   title = {Saving people by design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and R. Beale},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {E-Health Insider Conference},
   location = {Birmingham}
}

@presentation{HT513,
   title = {Problems in human error---Problems are everywhere},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {University of Cardiff}
}

@presentation{HT514,
   title = {Extreme research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Georgia Tech, Atlanta, USA}
}

@unpublished{HT331,
   title = {History of Key Issues},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {IFIP WG 2.7},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT380,
   title = {Poor system design: A hidden problem in patient safety},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Aberdeen University/NHS Grampian Patient Safety Guest Lecture Series}
}

Number entry is ubiquitous: it is required in many fields including science, healthcare, education, government, mathematics and finance. People entering numbers are to be expected to make errors, but shockingly few systems make any effort to detect, block or otherwise manage errors. Worse, errors may be ignored but processed in arbitrary ways, with unintended results.

A standard class of error (defined in the paper) is an “out by ten error,” which is easily made by miskeying a decimal point or a zero. In safety-critical domains, such as drug delivery, out by ten errors generally have adverse consequences.

Here we expose the extent of the problem of numeric errors in a very wide range of systems. An analysis of better error management is presented: under reasonable assumptions we show that the probability of out by ten errors can be halved by better user interface design. We provide a demonstration user interface to show that the approach is practical.

@article{numbererrors,
   title = {Reducing Number Entry Errors: Solving a Widespread, Serious Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Cairns},
   abstract = {Number entry is ubiquitous: it is required in many fields including science, healthcare, education, government, mathematics and finance. People entering numbers are to be expected to make errors, but shockingly few systems make any effort to detect, block or otherwise manage errors. Worse, errors may be ignored but processed in arbitrary ways, with unintended results.

A standard class of error (defined in the paper) is an ``out by ten error,'' which is easily made by miskeying a decimal point or a zero. In safety-critical domains, such as drug delivery, out by ten errors generally have adverse consequences. 

Here we expose the extent of the problem of numeric errors in a very wide range of systems. An analysis of better error management is presented: under reasonable assumptions we show that the probability of out by ten errors can be halved by better user interface design. We provide a demonstration user interface to show that the approach is practical.},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {1429--1439},
   journal = {Journal Royal Society Interface},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/interface/},
   volume = {7},
   doi = {10.1098/rsif.2010.0112},
   number = {51}
}

@article{HT195,
   title = {The human side of good research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {27 May, 2010},
   booktitle = {Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction (by Jonathan Lazar, Jinjuan Heidi Feng and Harry Hochheiser)},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=411753}
}

@unpublished{HT330,
   title = {Looking Beyond `Human Error' to its Causes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Scottish Clinical Skills Network},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Dundee, Scotland}
}

@presentation{HT515,
   title = {Safer by numbers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Georgia Tech, Atlanta, USA}
}

@book{HT266,
   title = {Press On --- Principles of Interaction Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   isbn = {978--0--262--51423--1},
   url = {http://mitpress.com/presson},
   highlight = {Paperback edition},
   publisher = {MIT Press},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT516,
   title = {Impossible Errors},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Cognitive Match, London}
}

This paper uses a simple analogy. A gun is designed to shoot bullets, but it is obvious that accidentally shooting is a danger one should avoid if at all possible. Thus guns have safety locks, which aim to protect users and bystanders.

Interactive computer systems sometimes accidentally do bad things too, but something like “safety locks” are not often enough implemented to help protect user or bystanders from harm.

Worse, user interfaces often behave quite unpredictably with erroneous input Ņ– rather than blocking errors and requiring the user to correct them. This is a bit like guns that misbehave.

Computers and computers embedded in everyday devices are not always as dangerous as guns, although there are many cases where they can be as dangerous. Medical devices may give patients undetected overdoses. In-car entertainment devices, like radios, may, through their badly-designed user interfaces, cause a driver to have an accident. A slip in a spreadsheet may be the first step towards an organisation going bankrupt. And so on.

The solution should include better design, including the concept of safety locks, that block some forms of user error.

@article{think!,
   title = {Think! Interactive Systems Need Safety Locks},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {This paper uses a simple analogy. A gun is designed to shoot bullets, but it is obvious that accidentally shooting is a danger one should avoid if at all possible. Thus guns have safety locks, which aim to protect users and bystanders.

Interactive computer systems sometimes accidentally do bad things too, but something like ``safety locks'' are not often enough implemented to help protect user or bystanders from harm.

Worse, user interfaces often behave quite unpredictably with erroneous input Ņ-- rather than blocking errors and requiring the user to correct them. This is a bit like guns that misbehave.

Computers and computers embedded in everyday devices are not always as dangerous as guns, although there are many cases where they can be as dangerous. Medical devices may give patients undetected overdoses. In-car entertainment devices, like radios, may, through their badly-designed user interfaces, cause a driver to have an accident. A slip in a spreadsheet may be the first step towards an organisation going bankrupt. And so on.

The solution should include better design, including the concept of {\textbf{safety}} locks, that block some forms of user error.},
   year = {2010},
   pages = {349--360},
   journal = {Journal of Computing and Information Technology},
   volume = {18},
   doi = {10.2498/cit.1001921},
   number = {4}
}

User interfaces often behave unpredictably on erroneous input — rather than blocking errors and requiring the user to correct them. The consequences of this in the context of medical devices, which may give patients undetected overdoses, can be unfortunate. The solution should include better design, including the concept of safety locks, that block some forms of user error.

@inproceedings{think-cavtat,
   title = {Interactive systems need safety locks},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {User interfaces often behave unpredictably on erroneous input --- rather than blocking errors and requiring the user to correct them. The consequences of this in the context of medical devices, which may give patients undetected overdoses, can be unfortunate. The solution should include better design, including the concept of safety locks, that block some forms of user error.},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the IEEE ITI 2010 32nd International Conference on Information Technology Interfaces},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {29--36},
   isbn = {978--953--7138--18-9},
   editor = {V. Luzar-Stiffler and I. Jarec and Z. Bekic},
   location = {Cavtat, Croatia}
}

@presentation{HT511,
   title = {From machine guns to traffic lights},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2010},
   location = {Middlesex University}
}

There is evidence that widely used interactive medical devices such as infusion pumps pose interaction difficulties. Yet this evidence is widely dispersed, and difficulties in programming, interaction and socio-technical design have rarely been a focus for study. Interaction difficulties are effectively invisible. To understand why, it is necessary to study the cultural and organizational contexts within which devices are designed, deployed and used. In this paper, we present examples illustrating interaction difficulties and outline features of the context that keep those difficulties invisible.

@inproceedings{few-chi,
   title = {Few are Looking: Invisible Problems with Interactive Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford and George Buchanan and Dominic Furniss and P. Curzon},
   abstract = {There is evidence that widely used interactive medical devices such as infusion pumps pose interaction difficulties. Yet this evidence is widely dispersed, and difficulties in programming, interaction and socio-technical design have rarely been a focus for study. Interaction difficulties are effectively invisible. To understand why, it is necessary to study the cultural and organizational contexts within which devices are designed, deployed and used. In this paper, we present examples illustrating interaction difficulties and outline features of the context that keep those difficulties invisible.},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the ACM Workshop on Interactive Systems in Healthcare ({WISH}) --- {CHI} 2010},
   pages = {9-12},
   location = {Atlanta},
   publisher = {ACM},
   editor = {G. R. Hayes and D. S. Tan}
}

@inproceedings{discovery-eics,
   title = {User Interface Model Discovery: Towards a Generic Approach},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Andy Gimblett},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Proceedings ACM SIGCHI Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems --- EICS 2010},
   pages = {145--154},
   highlight = {Best Paper Award},
   doi = {10.1145/1822018.1822041},
   editor = {G. Doherty and J. Nichols and Michael D. Harrison},
   location = {Berlin},
   publisher = {ACM},
   grant = {matrix}
}

To achieve dependable, usable, and well-engineered interactive devices in healthcare requires applied Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research and awareness of HCI issues throughout the lifecycle, from design through to procurement, training and use. This paper shows that some healthcare devices fall far short, and thus identifies a gap in applied HCI.

We use a basic, interactive hospital bed as a case study, arguably so routine and simple enough that there should have been very few problems. However, the bed’s interactive control panel design violates standard HCI principles. It is also badly programmed by the manufacturer. Evidently, something has gone wrong, somewhere from design to procurement, and we argue most of the problems would have been managed or avoided by conventional HCI processes.

Driven by the case study, this paper explores the problems and makes recommendations. There are many similarly poorly designed medical devices. Manufacturers and healthcare purchasing groups should adhere to HCI processes and guidelines, as well as those provided by regulatory agencies for the design, regulation, and procurement of devices, products, or systems that contribute to patient safety. The challenge is to make HCI knowledge and priorities available to and effective in this important domain in any places that can make a difference.

@inproceedings{chitra-bcs,
   title = {Human Computer Interaction and Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Chitra Acharya}} and Patrick Oladimeji},
   abstract = {To achieve dependable, usable, and well-engineered interactive devices in healthcare requires applied Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research and awareness of HCI issues throughout the lifecycle, from design through to procurement, training and use. This paper shows that some healthcare devices fall far short, and thus identifies a gap in applied HCI.

We use a basic, interactive hospital bed as a case study, arguably so routine and simple enough that there should have been very few problems. However, the bed's interactive control panel design violates standard HCI principles. It is also badly programmed by the manufacturer. Evidently, something has gone wrong, somewhere from design to procurement, and we argue most of the problems would have been managed or avoided by conventional HCI processes.

Driven by the case study, this paper explores the problems and makes recommendations. There are many similarly poorly designed medical devices. Manufacturers and healthcare purchasing groups should adhere to HCI processes and guidelines, as well as those provided by regulatory agencies for the design, regulation, and procurement of devices, products, or systems that contribute to patient safety. The challenge is to make HCI knowledge and priorities available to and effective in this important domain in any places that can make a difference.},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS Conference on {HCI}},
   location = {Dundee},
   publisher = {BCS},
   grant = {gc}
}

As interactive digital documents are becoming more and more commonplace, we find ourselves searching for new ways to make good use of them. The fast delivery and large storage capacity that digital devices offer, make reading from bulky physical books seem obsolete, even nonsensical. EReaders, the latest craze in digital reading, follows from the introduction of eInk and promises paper-like reading capabilities with the added digital benefits. But is the excitement justified? Can you ‘curl up’ with an eReader in the same way as you can a physical book, or is the design of eReading devices hindering this process?.

As of yet, no one has taken a scientific view of current eReader technology from the systematic standpoint of basic HCI principles. This paper discusses guidelines for good eReader design and illustrates them with examples of shortcomings of some of the more popular eReader devices on the market today.

@inproceedings{HT50,
   title = {{HCI} Design Principles for {eReaders}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jennifer Pearson}} and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {As interactive digital documents are becoming more and more commonplace, we find ourselves searching for new ways to make good use of them. The fast delivery and large storage capacity that digital devices offer, make reading from bulky physical books seem obsolete, even nonsensical. EReaders, the latest craze in digital reading, follows from the introduction of eInk and promises paper-like reading capabilities with the added digital benefits. But is the excitement justified? Can you `curl up' with an eReader in the same way as you can a physical book, or is the design of eReading devices hindering this process?.

As of yet, no one has taken a scientific view of current eReader technology from the systematic standpoint of basic HCI principles. This paper discusses guidelines for good eReader design and illustrates them with examples of shortcomings of some of the more popular eReader devices on the market today.},
   year = {2010},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BooksOnline'10: Proceedings of the third workshop on research advances in large digital book repositories and complementary media},
   pages = {15--24},
   isbn = {978-1-4503-0377-4},
   doi = {10.1145/1871854.1871860},
   location = {Toronto, Ontario, Canada}
}

@presentation{HT530,
   title = {User error---The interaction programming view},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {University of Texas at Houston}
}

@presentation{HT529,
   title = {Avoiding designed-in errors in interactive medical devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Engineering Department, University of Cambridge}
}

What methods can we use to help understand why users adopt certain use strategies, and how can we evaluate designs to anticipate and perhaps positively modify how users are likely to behave? This paper proposes taking advantage of social network analysis (SNA) to identify features of interaction. There are plausible reasons why SNA should be relevant to interaction programming and design, but we also show that SNA has promise, identifies and explains interesting use phenomena, and can be used effectively on conventionally-programmed interactive devices. Social network analysis is a very rich field, practically and theoretically, and many further forms of application and analysis beyond the promising examples explored in this paper are possible.

@inproceedings{network-eics,
   title = {Social Network Analysis and Interactive Device Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Patrick Oladimeji},
   abstract = {What methods can we use to help understand why users adopt certain use strategies, and how can we evaluate designs to anticipate and perhaps positively modify how users are likely to behave? This paper proposes taking advantage of social network analysis (SNA) to identify features of interaction. There are plausible reasons why SNA should be relevant to interaction programming and design, but we also show that SNA has promise, identifies and explains interesting use phenomena, and can be used effectively on conventionally-programmed interactive devices. Social network analysis is a very rich field, practically and theoretically, and many further forms of application and analysis beyond the promising examples explored in this paper are possible.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} {SIGCHI} Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems --- {EICS}'09},
   pages = {91--100},
   doi = {10.1145/1570433.1570453},
   editor = {G. Calvary and T. C. N. Graham and P. Gray},
   location = {Pittsburgh},
   publisher = {ACM},
   grant = {matrix,gc}
}

@presentation{HT533,
   title = {Reproducible research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Awarehome, Georgia Tech, Atlanta}
}

@presentation{HT531,
   title = {Interactive medical device design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Georgia Tech, Atlanta}
}

We consider how to teach effectively with particular reference to HCI. HCI can be taught to explicitly empower students to engage with their own learning. Further, HCI motivates because HCI empowers students to make a valuable and lasting contribution to the world.

@inproceedings{learn-hcii,
   title = {Teaching and Learning {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {We consider how to teach effectively with particular reference to HCI\@. HCI can be taught to explicitly empower students to engage with their own learning. Further, HCI motivates because HCI empowers students to make a valuable and lasting contribution to the world.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {HCI} International, Part I, Universal Access, {HCII} 2009},
   pages = {625--635},
   volume = {5614},
   doi = {10.1007/978-3-642-02707-9_71},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   location = {San Diego},
   editor = {C. Stephanidis}
}

Interaction programming bridges the gap between interaction design and programming, but it has not yet been related directly to mainstream user interface development practice. This paper presents UI model discovery tools to enable existing systems and traditional development processes to benefit from interaction programming tools and methods; in particular, to enable checking of safety-critical interaction properties, and to contribute to due diligence practices in safety-critical interactive systems design.

@inproceedings{safety-eics,
   title = {Contributing to Safety and Due Diligence in Safety-critical Interactive Systems Development},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Interaction programming bridges the gap between interaction design and programming, but it has not yet been related directly to mainstream user interface development practice. This paper presents {\emph{UI model discovery tools\/}} to enable existing systems and traditional development processes to benefit from interaction programming tools and methods; in particular, to enable checking of safety-critical interaction properties, and to contribute to due diligence practices in safety-critical interactive systems design.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} {SIGCHI} Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems --- {EICS}'09},
   pages = {221--230},
   doi = {10.1145/1570433.1570474},
   editor = {G. Calvary and T. C. N. Graham and P. Gray},
   location = {Pittsburgh},
   publisher = {ACM},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT526,
   title = {Dependable interactive devices, why we need them, how to get them},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {UCL}
}

@unpublished{HT332,
   title = {Reducing Designed-in Errors in Interactive Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {2009 Health and Life Sciences Symposium},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Phoenix, Arizona}
}

@presentation{HT520,
   title = {Killer applications? Simple but widespread programming problems that are usually ignored},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {MIT}
}

@presentation{HT521,
   title = {Devices encourage errors---What if they detected them too?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {University of Texas at Houston}
}

@presentation{HT519,
   title = {Avoiding death by computer},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {University of Pennsylvania}
}

@presentation{HT518,
   title = {Misunderstood human error and some consequences},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Psychology Department, Swansea University}
}

@presentation{HT517,
   title = {Science fights ignorance and computer science saves lives (or you should stay out of hospital until it does)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Christ College Brecon}
}

@presentation{HT522,
   title = {Keynote notes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Apple Computer, Pittsburgh}
}

@inproceedings{HT117,
   title = {Improving Annotations In Digital Documents},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jennifer Pearson}} and George Buchanan},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 13th European conference on Research and advanced technology for digital libraries --- ECDL'09},
   pages = {429--432},
   isbn = {978-3-642-04345-1},
   volume = {5714},
   editor = {M. Agosti and J. Borbinha and S. Kapidakis and C. Papatheodorou and G. Tsakonas},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   location = {Corfu, Greece}
}

@presentation{HT525,
   title = {From research to writing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {UCL}
}

@presentation{HT524,
   title = {Saving lives with science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Royal Society}
}

@presentation{HT523,
   title = {Killer applications in hospitals},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {University of Manchester}
}

@presentation{HT528,
   title = {How {CS} is science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Royal Society}
}

Indexes are a well established method of locating information in printed literature just as find is a popular technique when searching in digital documents. However, document reader software has seldom adopted the concept of an index in a systematic manner. This paper describes an implemented system that not only facilitates user created digital indexes but also uses colour and size as key factors in their visual presentation. We report a pilot study that was conducted to test the validity of each visualisation and analyses the results of both the quantitative analysis and subjective user reviews.

@inproceedings{HT51,
   title = {Creating Visualisations for Digital Document Indexing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jennifer Pearson}} and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {Indexes are a well established method of locating information in printed literature just as find is a popular technique when searching in digital documents. However, document reader software has seldom adopted the concept of an index in a systematic manner. This paper describes an implemented system that not only facilitates user created digital indexes but also uses colour and size as key factors in their visual presentation. We report a pilot study that was conducted to test the validity of each visualisation and analyses the results of both the quantitative analysis and subjective user reviews.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 13th European conference on Research and advanced technology for digital libraries, ECDL'09},
   pages = {87--93},
   isbn = {3-642-04345-3, 978-3-642-04345-1},
   url = {http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1812799.1812813},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {M. Agosti and J. Borbinha and S. Kapidakis and C. Papatheodorou and G. Tsakonas},
   location = {Corfu, Greece},
   acmid = {1812813},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   address = {Berlin, Heidelberg},
   keywords = {document triage, indexing, information Visualisation}
}

@presentation{HT532,
   title = {Best of people and computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {Georgia Tech, Atlanta}
}

@inproceedings{HT385,
   title = {The National Research Scene},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {EPSRC Workshop on Grand Challenges in Information Driven Health}
}

Interaction programming bridges the gap between interaction design and programming, but it has not yet been related directly to mainstream development practice. This paper presents UI model discovery tools to enable existing systems and traditional development processes to benefit from interaction programming tools and methods.

@inproceedings{interaction-chi,
   title = {Interaction Programming: Next Steps},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Interaction programming bridges the gap between interaction design and programming, but it has not yet been related directly to mainstream development practice. This paper presents UI model discovery tools to enable existing systems and traditional development processes to benefit from interaction programming tools and methods.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} {CHI}},
   pages = {3811--3816},
   doi = {10.1145/1520340.1520576},
   publisher = {ACM},
   grant = {matrix}
}

One of the reasons why people make mistakes is that the systems they use are badly designed, and this is perhaps nowhere more alarming than in hospital errors involving drug delivery systems. This talk reviews a well-documented, but otherwise typical, fatality and shows that many causes could be prevented by better design, and better programming in particular. Harold Thimbleby is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Geometry and a Royal Society-Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellow at Swansea University.

@techreport{gresham-first,
   title = {Avoiding Death by Computer},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {One of the reasons why people make mistakes is that the systems they use are badly designed, and this is perhaps nowhere more alarming than in hospital errors involving drug delivery systems. This talk reviews a well-documented, but otherwise typical, fatality and shows that many causes could be prevented by better design, and better programming in particular. Harold Thimbleby is Emeritus Gresham Professor of Geometry and a Royal Society-Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellow at Swansea University.},
   year = {28 September, 2009},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/avoiding-death-by-computer}
}

@presentation{HT388,
   title = {Grand Challenges in Human Error},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Natural Computing Applications Forum, NCAF}
}

@article{HT199,
   title = {No excuse to be illiterate about {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {3 December, 2009},
   booktitle = {Interactive Graphics for Data Analysis: Principles and Examples (by M.~Theus and S.~Urbanek)},
   pages = {vii},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=409351},
   number = {1925}
}

@article{HT198,
   title = {No excuse to be illiterate about {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {3 December, 2009},
   booktitle = {Introduction to Algorithms (by T.~H.~Cormen, C.~E.~Leiserson, R.~L.~Rivest and C.~Stein)},
   pages = {vii},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=409350},
   number = {1925}
}

@presentation{HT387,
   title = {Devices don't detect errors: What if they could?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Workshop on Interactive Medical Devices},
   location = {UCL}
}

@article{HT196,
   title = {No excuse to be illiterate about {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {3 December, 2009},
   booktitle = {Discovering Computers 2010 (by G.~B.~Shelly and M.~E.~Vermaat)},
   pages = {vi},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=409348},
   number = {1925}
}

@article{HT197,
   title = {No excuse to be illiterate about {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {3 December, 2009},
   booktitle = {How to Think Like a Programmer (by P.~Vickers)},
   pages = {vi--vii},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Textbook Guide},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=409349},
   number = {1925}
}

@article{HT152,
   title = {The Cutting Edge of {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   pages = {6--7},
   journal = {BCS Interfaces},
   volume = {80}
}

Motivation — Designers make decisions that later influence how users work with the systems that they have designed. When errors occur in use, it is tempting to focus on the active errors rather than on the latent design decisions that framed the context of error, and fixing latent conditions can have a more general (and future) impact than addressing particular active failures. Research approach — A constructive computer science approach is used, and results from a simulation reported. Research limitations — Error is a complex multidisciplinary field; this paper makes a new contribution complimentary to human factors engineering. Take away message — This paper shows that latent design decisions cause serious problems (including fatalities) in safety critical applications; the paper proposes UI discovery tools to identify and manage latent errors. UI discovery enables human factors engineers and programmers to work together to help eliminate broad classes of latent design errors.

@inproceedings{ndm-keynote,
   title = {Avoiding latent design conditions using UI discovery tools},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {{\textbf{Motivation}} --- Designers make decisions that later influence how users work with the systems that they have designed. When errors occur in use, it is tempting to focus on the active errors rather than on the latent design decisions that framed the context of error, and fixing latent conditions can have a more general (and future) impact than addressing particular active failures. {\textbf{Research approach}} --- A constructive computer science approach is used, and results from a simulation reported. {\textbf{Research limitations}} --- Error is a complex multidisciplinary field; this paper makes a new contribution complimentary to human factors engineering. {\textbf{Take away message}} --- This paper shows that latent design decisions cause serious problems (including fatalities) in safety critical applications; the paper proposes UI discovery tools to identify and manage latent errors. UI discovery enables human factors engineers and programmers to work together to help eliminate broad classes of latent design errors.},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 9th Naturalistic Decision Making, NDM9},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {20--27},
   doi = {10.1080/10447310903498692},
   editor = {B. L. W. Wong and N. A. Stanton},
   location = {London},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT386,
   title = {Interactive medical devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Clinical Systems Improvement Open Seminar},
   location = {Warwick Medical School}
}

@presentation{HT389,
   title = {Grand Challenges in eHealth},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {Panel, ACM CHI},
   location = {Boston, USA}
}

@presentation{HT390,
   title = {Understanding Interactive Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {MediWales Seminar},
   location = {Cardiff}
}

@presentation{HT382,
   title = {History of Key Issues, and Why We are Failing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {IFIP WG 2.7/13.4 User Interface Engineering, Open Problems in User Interface Engineering Workshop},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT527,
   title = {Moving from user interface design to interaction programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   location = {MIT}
}

@presentation{HT384,
   title = {Error and misplaced liability for error at the sharp end},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {2nd. European Workshop on Education and Training for Patient Safety},
   location = {University of Warwick}
}

@presentation{HT383,
   title = {State Machine Engineering},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2009},
   booktitle = {IFIP WG 2.7/13.4 User Interface Engineering, Open Problems in User Interface Engineering Workshop},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT396,
   title = {Lecture series: TATA Excellence in Computer Science Week},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Pune, India}
}

@article{HT244,
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {27 November, 2008},
   booktitle = {How to Think about Algorithms (by J.~Edmonds)},
   pages = {xv},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=404472},
   number = {1873}
}

@presentation{HT395,
   title = {User Generated Content: The Grand Challenges},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Royal Society/National Research Foundation South African Workshop on User Generated Content for Developing Countries},
   location = {Cape Town}
}

@inbook{HT272,
   title = {Write Now!},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Research Methods for Human-Computer Interaction},
   pages = {196--211},
   editor = {Paul Cairns and Anna Cox},
   publisher = {Cambridge University Press}
}

@presentation{HT394,
   title = {Data Collection at the Bedside---Clinical Information Collection in the 21st Century},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {RCP Joint Specialist Society Clinical Effectiveness Forum},
   location = {Royal College of Physicians, London}
}

Affordance is a widely-used term in human-computer interaction that, while familiar and attractive, does not have a clear operational definition. Using the mathematical concept of symmetry, this paper shows it is possible to begin developing an operational definition for significant aspects of affordance by forming the theoretical concept of symmetry-affordance. The proposed definition restricts symmetry-affordance to particular contexts but in doing so makes it more useful, as it is clear how to exploit symmetry to aid design. The definition is in standard mathematics (in fact, group theory and model theory) and requires little additional structure. In examining symmetry-affordance, it becomes clear that some other HCI notions can be similarly interpreted by symmetry. The paper provides examples and design insights.

“Symmetry, as wide or as narrow as you may define its meaning, is one idea by which man through the ages has tried to comprehend and create order, beauty, and perfection.” Hermann Weyl

@article{affordance-cj,
   title = {Affordance and Symmetry in User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Cairns},
   abstract = {Affordance is a widely-used term in human-computer interaction that, while familiar and attractive, does not have a clear operational definition. Using the mathematical concept of symmetry, this paper shows it is possible to begin developing an operational definition for significant aspects of affordance by forming the theoretical concept of {\emph{symmetry-affordance}}. The proposed definition restricts symmetry-affordance to particular contexts but in doing so makes it more useful, as it is clear how to exploit symmetry to aid design. The definition is in standard mathematics (in fact, group theory and model theory) and requires little additional structure. In examining symmetry-affordance, it becomes clear that some other HCI notions can be similarly interpreted by symmetry. The paper provides examples and design insights.

``Symmetry, as wide or as narrow as you may define its meaning, is one idea by which man through the ages has tried to comprehend and create order, beauty, and perfection.'' {\emph{Hermann~Weyl}}},
   year = {2008},
   pages = {650--661},
   journal = {Computer Journal},
   volume = {51},
   doi = {10.1093/comjnl/bxm102},
   number = {6},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@article{HT245,
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {27 November, 2008},
   booktitle = {Principles of Mobile Computing (by M.~Othman)},
   pages = {xv},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=404471},
   number = {1873}
}

@presentation{HT391,
   title = {Understanding and Reducing Designed-in IT Errors in Healthcare},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Hospital of the Future Workshop},
   location = {Oxford University}
}

@article{HT155,
   title = {Marks for the da {Vinci} Code: {B-}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   journal = {CS4FN},
   url = {http://www.cs4fn.org/maths/bee-davinci.php},
   issn = {1754-3657 print; 1754-3665 online}
}

@article{HT154,
   title = {Press On},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {May, 2008},
   pages = {17},
   journal = {British Computer Society ITNOW},
   issn = {1746-5702},
   publisher = {BCS},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT393,
   title = {TippingPoint Germany 2008},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and British Council},
   location = {Berlin}
}

@article{HT153,
   title = {Ignorance of interaction programming is killing people},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {September+October, 2008},
   pages = {52--57},
   journal = {ACM Interactions},
   url = {http://harold.thimbleby.net/health}
}

@presentation{HT392,
   title = {New Approaches to Dosage Calculation and How They Can Reduce Errors},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Healthcare Extensions Technologies},
   location = {UCL, London}
}

@article{HT200,
   title = {Don't panic --- help is at hand},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {27 November, 2008},
   booktitle = {The Algorithm Design Manual (by S.~S.~Skiena)},
   pages = {xiv},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1873}
}

Science fiction stories seductively portray robots as human. In present reality (early 21st century) robots are machines, even though they can do many things far better than humans (fly, swim, play chess to name a few). Any ethics for or of robots is therefore a seductive mix of fiction and reality. The key issue for rational discourse is to provide a rigorous framework for reasoning about the issues, including identifying flaws in the framework. We find such meta-reasoning in discussion about robot ethics to be ready for improvement.

@article{robot-iwc,
   title = {Robot ethics? {Not} yet. {A} reflection on {Whitby's} ``{Sometimes} it's hard to be a robot''},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Science fiction stories seductively portray robots as human. In present reality (early 21st century) robots are machines, even though they can do many things far better than humans (fly, swim, play chess to name a few). Any ethics for or of robots is therefore a seductive mix of fiction and reality. The key issue for rational discourse is to provide a rigorous framework for reasoning about the issues, including identifying flaws in the framework. We find such meta-reasoning in discussion about robot ethics to be ready for improvement.},
   year = {2008},
   pages = {338--341},
   journal = {Interacting with Computers},
   volume = {20},
   doi = {10.1016/j.intcom.2008.02.006},
   number = {3}
}

“User centred design” (UCD) has become a central, largely unquestioned, tenet of good practice for the design of interactive systems. With the increasing recognition of the importance of special needs in influencing design, UCD needs to be re-examined, in particular to be clear about the difference between using its methods, which may not suit special needs, and achieving its objectives. This paper introduces a simple two-category classification of special needs, to which UCD applies very differently and which are heavily affected by developments in technology; in other words, the role of UCD, particularly with respect to special needs, will continue to change and demand close scrutiny.

@inproceedings{HT128,
   title = {Understanding User Centered Design (UCD) for People with Special Needs},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {``User centred design'' (UCD) has become a central, largely unquestioned, tenet of good practice for the design of interactive systems. With the increasing recognition of the importance of special needs in influencing design, UCD needs to be re-examined, in particular to be clear about the difference between using its {\emph{methods}}, which may not suit special needs, and achieving its {\emph{objectives}}. This paper introduces a simple two-category classification of special needs, to which UCD applies very differently and which are heavily affected by developments in technology; in other words, the role of UCD, particularly with respect to special needs, will continue to change and demand close scrutiny.},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {11th International Conference, ICCHP 2008, Computers Helping People with Special Needs},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {1--17},
   isbn = {978-3-540-70539-0},
   url = {http://www.icchp.org},
   volume = {5105},
   doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-70540-6},
   editor = {K. Miesenberger and J. Klaus and W. Zagler and A Karshmer},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   location = {Linz, Austria}
}

We review how to teach effectively in higher education (covering both the literature and the author’s own opinions), with particular reference to HCI and using real life-and-death examples, based on simple medical design issues. Students are motivated because even elementary HCI knowledge empowers them to make a real and significant difference in the world.

@article{teach-hci,
   title = {Teaching {HCI} to make it come alive},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {We review how to teach effectively in higher education (covering both the literature and the author's own opinions), with particular reference to HCI and using real life-and-death examples, based on simple medical design issues. Students are motivated because even elementary HCI knowledge empowers them to make a real and significant difference in the world.},
   year = {2008},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {9--16},
   journal = {Magazine of Interaction Design and Architecture(s)},
   editor = {C. Giovannella and P. Kotze and W. Wong},
   issn = {1826-9745},
   number = {3 {\&} 4}
}

We can consider a calculator together with its user make a Turing Complete system; in this sense, all calculators are mathematically equivalent and therefore mathematical user interfaces need not innovate beyond what is absolutely necessary. Typically, user interfaces are character-based and imperative, with mice used to select windows, and modes used to control the hidden complexities of the system.

Taking Mathematica and xThink as representatives of the state of the art in interactive mathematics, we show conventional mathematical user interfaces leave much to be desired, because they separate the mathematics from the context of the user interface, which remains as unmathematical as ever.

We put the usability of such systems into mathematical perspective, and compare the conventional approach with our approach, as exemplified by True Calculator.

@inproceedings{math-dsvis,
   title = {Mathematical Mathematical User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Will Thimbleby},
   abstract = {We can consider a calculator together with its user make a Turing Complete system; in this sense, all calculators are mathematically equivalent and therefore mathematical user interfaces need not innovate beyond what is absolutely necessary. Typically, user interfaces are character-based and imperative, with mice used to select windows, and modes used to control the hidden complexities of the system.

Taking Mathematica and xThink as representatives of the state of the art in interactive mathematics, we show conventional mathematical user interfaces leave much to be desired, because they separate the mathematics from the context of the user interface, which remains as unmathematical as ever. 

We put the usability of such systems into mathematical perspective, and compare the conventional approach with our approach, as exemplified by True Calculator.},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Engineering Interactive Computer Systems --- EICS2007/{DSVIS} 2007},
   pages = {519--535},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/calculators/index.html},
   volume = {4940},
   doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-92698-6_31},
   location = {Salamanca, Spain},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {J. Gulliksen}
}

Graph theory provides a very substantial resource for a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative usability measures, which may be used for evaluating recovery from error, informing design tradeoffs, probing topics for user training, and so on. This paper gives many concrete examples based on the analysis of a real non-trivial interactive device, a medical syringe pump, itself implemented as a graph.

Graph theory is a straight-forward, practical and flexible way to implement and analyse real interactive systems. Hence, graph theory complements other approaches to formal HCI, such as theorem proving and model checking, which have a less direct relation to interaction.

@inproceedings{graph-dsvis,
   title = {Applying Graph Theory to Interaction Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jeremy Gow},
   abstract = {Graph theory provides a very substantial resource for a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative usability measures, which may be used for evaluating recovery from error, informing design tradeoffs, probing topics for user training, and so on. This paper gives many concrete examples based on the analysis of a real non-trivial interactive device, a medical syringe pump, itself implemented as a graph. 

Graph theory is a straight-forward, practical and flexible way to implement and analyse {\emph{real\/}} interactive systems. Hence, graph theory complements other approaches to formal HCI, such as theorem proving and model checking, which have a less direct relation to interaction.},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Engineering Interactive Computer Systems --- EICS2007/DSVIS 2007},
   pages = {501--518},
   volume = {4940},
   doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-92698-6_30},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {J. Gulliksen},
   location = {Salamanca, Spain},
   grant = {matrix}
}

Syringe pumps automate giving drugs to patients. This digital story shows a problem with time outs.

@article{grasebyyt,
   title = {Problems with a Syringe Pump},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Syringe pumps automate giving drugs to patients. This digital story shows a problem with time outs.},
   year = {2008},
   journal = {YouTube},
   video = {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brNbDWnHDVs&feature=player_embedded}
}

@presentation{HT534,
   title = {Interaction programming in use},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Microsoft Research, Bangalore}
}

@presentation{HT535,
   title = {Desiging Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Bombay Indian Institute of Technology (BIIT), Mumbai}
}

@presentation{HT539,
   title = {Understanding designed-in errors in interactive devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Newcastle University}
}

@presentation{HT538,
   title = {Reducing designed-in errors},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Birmingham University}
}

@presentation{HT537,
   title = {Life \& death issues with compiling},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Wolverhampton}
}

@presentation{HT536,
   title = {Life, death \& computer science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {Aberystwyth}
}

@inproceedings{hci3med-bcs,
   title = {Workshop on {HCI} for Medicine and Health Care ({HCI4MED})},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Andreas Holzinger}} and Russell Beale},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS HCI Conference, People and Computers},
   pages = {191--192},
   volume = {XXII.2},
   location = {Liverpool, England},
   publisher = {BCS}
}

@inproceedings{research-bcs,
   title = {Research Methods for {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Anna Cox}} and {\main{Paul Cairns}} and Natalie Webb},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS HCI Conferences, People and Computers},
   pages = {221--222},
   volume = {XXII.2},
   location = {Liverpool, England},
   publisher = {BCS},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT397,
   title = {Powerful interactive calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   location = {TECHFEST, Mumbai}
}

@presentation{HT398,
   title = {Architects or Builders?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {HCIed 2008: Architecting The Future},
   location = {Rome}
}

@presentation{HT399,
   title = {Digital Stories},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Royal Society/NRF Conference, User-Generated Content Systems and Services for Developing Country Contexts},
   location = {Cape Town, South Africa}
}

@article{HT295,
   title = {Driven to distraction?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {19 August, 2008},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {25},
   journal = {The Times}
}

@unpublished{HT333,
   title = {Teaching {HCI} to Make it Come Alive},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2008},
   booktitle = {Human-Computer Interaction Educators, {HCIEd}},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   url = {http://www.mifav.uniroma2.it/hcied2008},
   location = {Rome}
}

Usability evaluation methods are a battery of techniques for assessing the usability of interactive systems or of proposed interactive systems. This paper describes a new evaluation method, particularly appropriate for evaluating safety critical and high quality user interfaces. The method can also be used for informing HCI research. The method is applied when a specification is available of an interactive system, or when a system (or prototype) is working.

@inproceedings{walkthrough-dsvis,
   title = {Interaction Walkthrough: Evaluation of Safety Critical Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Usability evaluation methods are a battery of techniques for assessing the usability of interactive systems or of proposed interactive systems. This paper describes a new evaluation method, particularly appropriate for evaluating safety critical and high quality user interfaces. The method can also be used for informing HCI research. The method is applied when a specification is available of an interactive system, or when a system (or prototype) is working.},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings The {XIII} International Workshop on Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Systems --- {DSVIS} 2006},
   pages = {52--66},
   volume = {4323},
   doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-69554-7_5},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {G. Doherty and Ann Blandford},
   location = {Dublin, Ireland}
}

This short paper argues that references in user interfaces, in particular names and the values they denote, are often designed in a way that is incomplete and inconsistent thereby causing problems for users. This paper explores names and values through illustrations in order to clear the way for a more systematic approach to the design of names and reference.

@inproceedings{names-bcs,
   title = {Names and References in User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Michael D. Harrison},
   abstract = {This short paper argues that references in user interfaces, in particular names and the values they denote, are often designed in a way that is incomplete and inconsistent thereby causing problems for users. This paper explores names and values through illustrations in order to clear the way for a more systematic approach to the design of names and reference.},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} 2007 Conference},
   pages = {107--110},
   volume = {2},
   location = {Lancaster, England}
}

@presentation{HT545,
   title = {A New Sort of Calculator},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {Tufts University, Boston, USA}
}

@inproceedings{HT129,
   title = {User-centered Methods are Insufficient for Safety Critical Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {{USAB'07} --- Usability {\&} {HCI} for Medicine and Health Care},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {1--20},
   volume = {4799},
   editor = {Andreas Holzinger},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   location = {Graz, Austria}
}

@presentation{HT548,
   title = {Press On},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {Taliesin Theatre, Swansea}
}

Papers in HCI play different roles, whether to inspire, solve industrial problems or further the science of HCI. There is a potential conflict between the different views, and a danger that different forms of validity are assumed by author and reader — deliberately or accidentally.

This paper reviews some of the issues in this complex area and makes practical recommendations. In particular, the paper introduces the term “cross-validity” to help make explicit the issues, problems and means to tackle them.

@inproceedings{validity-dsvis,
   title = {Validity and Cross-Validity in {HCI} publications},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Papers in HCI play different roles, whether to inspire, solve industrial problems or further the science of HCI\@. There is a potential conflict between the different views, and a danger that different forms of validity are assumed by author and reader --- deliberately or accidentally. 

This paper reviews some of the issues in this complex area and makes practical recommendations. In particular, the paper introduces the term ``cross-validity'' to help make explicit the issues, problems and means to tackle them.},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings The {XIII} International Workshop on Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Systems --- {DSVIS} 2006},
   pages = {11--24},
   volume = {4323},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {G. Doherty and Ann Blandford},
   location = {Dublin, Ireland}
}

@presentation{HT540,
   title = {The Usability of Medical Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {University of Bielefeld, Germany}
}

@article{HT201,
   title = {Hands off those joysticks},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {12 January, 2007},
   booktitle = {Computer Games: Text, Narrative and Play (by D.~Carr, D.~Buckingham and G.~Schott)},
   pages = {22},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=4&storycode=207461},
   number = {xxxx}
}

@presentation{HT546,
   title = {Problems and Solutions with Simple Interactive Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007}
}

@presentation{HT542,
   title = {Improving Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {Hamilton Institute, Ireland}
}

@presentation{HT541,
   title = {A New Slice of Cheese},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {University of Surrey}
}

The history of technology, as a discipline, supports alternate points of view termed internalist and externalist, which terms highlight an approximately similar division in points of view in HCI. Conventional HCI is externalist, rightly concerned with human-centered issues; but externalism risks ignoring important internalist issues. A successful human-computer system is better if it is successful from both perspectives. This discussion paper argues that the externalist view, while necessary and immensely useful, is not sufficient — and in the worst case, risks eclipsing innovation from internalist quarters.

@inproceedings{internalist-bcs,
   title = {Internalist and Externalist {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Will Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The history of technology, as a discipline, supports alternate points of view termed internalist and externalist, which terms highlight an approximately similar division in points of view in HCI\@. Conventional HCI is externalist, rightly concerned with human-centered issues; but externalism risks ignoring important internalist issues. A successful human-computer system is better if it is successful from both perspectives. This discussion paper argues that the externalist view, while necessary and immensely useful, is not sufficient --- and in the worst case, risks eclipsing innovation from internalist quarters.},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} 2007 Conference},
   pages = {111--114},
   volume = {2},
   location = {Lancaster, England}
}

@book{presson,
   title = {Press On --- Principles of Interaction Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   isbn = {978--0--262--20170--4},
   url = {http://mitpress.com/presson},
   highlight = {Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2008. Winner, Computer and Information Sciences category, 2007 Professional/Scholarly Publishing Awards for Excellence Competition presented by the Association of American Publishers, Inc.},
   publisher = {MIT Press},
   grant = {matrix}
}

@presentation{HT547,
   title = {Digital Stories},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {Stanford University, USA}
}

@presentation{HT543,
   title = {A New Sort of Calculator},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {University of California at Berkeley}
}

@presentation{HT544,
   title = {A New Sort of Calculator},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   location = {MIT}
}

@unpublished{HT334,
   title = {Models of Reactive Systems and Their Complex Interactive Behaviour},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Brain Computer Interaction: {PASCAL} Workshop 2007---{BCI} Meets {HCI}},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@unpublished{HT335,
   title = {{HCI} and Ethics},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {{EPSRC} Loughborough Workshop on the Future of {HCI}}
}

@inproceedings{fitts-fmis,
   title = {Using the Fitts Law with State Transition Systems to Find Optimal Task Timings},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 2nd International Workshop on Formal Methods for Interactive Systems ({FMIS2007})},
   pages = {151--162},
   editor = {P. Curzon and A. Cerone},
   location = {Lancaster, England}
}

@inproceedings{utaut-bcs,
   title = {Validating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology ({UTAUT}) tool cross-culturally},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Lidia Oshlyansky}} and Paul Cairns},
   year = {2007},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} 2007 Conference},
   pages = {83--86},
   volume = {2}
}

Even simple interactive devices have many usability and safety problems. This talk reviews some of those problems, and how they can be detected either in design (using formal methods) or by getting feedback from users (using new digital story telling techniques).

@techreport{HT296,
   title = {Problems and solutions with ``simple'' interactive devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Even simple interactive devices have many usability and safety problems. This talk reviews some of those problems, and how they can be detected either in design (using formal methods) or by getting feedback from users (using new digital story telling techniques).},
   year = {19 January, 2007},
   video = {http://hci.stanford.edu/courses/cs547/speaker.php?date=2007-01-19},
   series = {Stanford University, CS~47: Seminar on People, Computers and Design}
}

@article{HT156,
   title = {Computing is the new `Queen of Sciences'},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y.~Wilks}} and 60 other authors},
   year = {February 23, 2007},
   pages = {14},
   journal = {The Times Higher Education Supplement}
}

@presentation{HT559,
   title = {Digital Stories for UCD},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Microsoft Research Cambridge}
}

@article{HT297,
   title = {Is it worth banning TV standby buttons?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {17 July, 2006},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {18},
   journal = {The Times}
}

@presentation{HT560,
   title = {Reliable software publishing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Newcastle University}
}

@presentation{HT561,
   title = {Science Caf{\'e}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Swansea}
}

@unpublished{HT340,
   title = {Series of 3 lectures},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Distinguished Lecture Series},
   location = {Department of Computer Science, St.\ Andrews University}
}

@presentation{HT554,
   title = {Science Caf{\'e}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Welsh National Eisteddfod}
}

@presentation{HT555,
   title = {Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Welsh National Eisteddfod}
}

After exposing widespread problems in the consumer market of embedded computer systems in the previous day’s three lectures, we now turn to the academic domain of serious computer science to seek refreshment... Unfortunately, we find the same problems, of unreliable and flawed results widespread throughout the scientific research literature... a cargo cult computer science indeed! More importantly, we move on to discuss what we can do about it.

@presentation{HT553,
   title = {The cargo cult of scientific computing (and a cure)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {After exposing widespread problems in the consumer market of embedded computer systems in the previous day's three lectures, we now turn to the academic domain of serious computer science to seek refreshment... Unfortunately, we find the same problems, of unreliable and flawed results widespread throughout the scientific research literature... a cargo cult computer science indeed! More importantly, we move on to discuss what we can do about it.},
   year = {2006}
}

Finally, we take a single, extended example of cargo cult computer science: despite their huge market and evident success, calculators are shown to be veritable weapons of maths destruction. After reviewing their problems, and diagnosing them as failures of applying elementary computer science, we show how and what solutions can be used to make them much better. A new and exciting approach (which we exhibited at the Royal Society Summer Science exhibition in July) will be demonstrated: indeed, a new “weapon of maths construction.”

@abstract{HT552,
   title = {The cargo cult of calculators (and a cure)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Finally, we take a single, extended example of cargo cult computer science: despite their huge market and evident success, calculators are shown to be veritable weapons of maths destruction. After reviewing their problems, and diagnosing them as failures of applying elementary computer science, we show how and what solutions can be used to make them much better. A new and exciting approach (which we exhibited at the Royal Society Summer Science exhibition in July) will be demonstrated: indeed, a new ``weapon of maths construction.''},
   year = {2006}
}

We are surrounded by embedded computers in interactive devices — mobile phones, car radios, airplanes, medical devices, to name just a few. Although these are massive markets and certainly meet many consumer needs, the computer science behind them is seriously flawed, and makes these devices unnecessarily hard to use.

@abstract{HT550,
   title = {The cargo cult of everyday computing (and a cure)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {We are surrounded by embedded computers in interactive devices --- mobile phones, car radios, airplanes, medical devices, to name just a few. Although these are massive markets and certainly meet many consumer needs, the computer science behind them is seriously flawed, and makes these devices unnecessarily hard to use.},
   year = {2006}
}

The user interface of a mobile phone allows the user to search for phone functions, such as setting ring tones, dialling, texting, and so on. From a computer science perspective, this just requires a searching algorithm. We therefore compare typical phone algorithms with standard computer science algorithms — and find that current phones are feeble compared to what they could be!

@abstract{HT551,
   title = {The cargo cult of mobile phones (and a cure)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The user interface of a mobile phone allows the user to search for phone functions, such as setting ring tones, dialling, texting, and so on. From a computer science perspective, this just requires a searching algorithm. We therefore compare typical phone algorithms with standard computer science algorithms --- and find that current phones are feeble compared to what they could be!},
   year = {2006}
}

@presentation{HT556,
   title = {Schools Lecture},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Glasgow University}
}

@presentation{HT557,
   title = {Hands-on calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {National Waterfront Museum, Wales}
}

@presentation{HT401,
   title = {Schools Lecture},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Glasgow University Lecture},
   location = {Glasgow}
}

@presentation{HT400,
   title = {Building the Future with Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Glasgow University Lecture},
   location = {Glasgow}
}

@inproceedings{HT52,
   title = {Automatic Critiques of Interface Modes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jeremy Gow}} and Paul Cairns},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Interactive Systems, Design, Specification, and Verification 12th. International Workshop --- DSVIS 2005},
   note = {Revised Papers},
   pages = {201--212},
   volume = {3941},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {S. W. Gilroy and Michael D. Harrison},
   location = {Newcastle, England},
   issn = {0302--9743}
}

@inproceedings{hofstede-bcs,
   title = {A Cautionary Tale: Hofstede's {VSM} Revisited},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Lidia Oshlyansky}} and Paul Cairns},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of British Computer Society Human Computer Interaction Conference},
   pages = {11--15},
   volume = {2},
   location = {Edinburgh, Scotland}
}

@inproceedings{HT53,
   title = {Applying Bohm's ideas in the age of intelligent environments},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Proceedings International Symposium on Intelligent Environments},
   pages = {27--33},
   location = {Cambridge, England}
}

@inproceedings{HT355,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Welsh National Eisteddfod 2005},
   location = {Swansea}
}

@presentation{HT558,
   title = {Interaction Technology and Its Impact on Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)}
}

@unpublished{HT338,
   title = {The Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Faculty Lecture},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Glasgow University}
}

@unpublished{HT339,
   title = {Digital Stories},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {ESRC Workshop on Universal Access},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT562,
   title = {New Computer User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {St. Andrews University}
}

Borrowing Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman’s criticism of cargo cult science, I discuss the ways we all are caught up in and doing cargo cult computer science. To paraphrase Feynman: everywhere we have computers (and research papers) that look like they are doing the right things, but they don’t work. I will also show how we can do a whole lot better by doing computer science properly.

@presentation{HT549,
   title = {Thinking out of the computer science cargo cult box},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Borrowing Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman's criticism of cargo cult science, I discuss the ways we all are caught up in and doing cargo cult computer science. To paraphrase Feynman: everywhere we have computers (and research papers) that look like they are doing the right things, but they don't work. I will also show how we can do a whole lot better by doing computer science properly.},
   year = {2006}
}

@unpublished{HT336,
   title = {The Lansdown Lecture},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   location = {London}
}

@unpublished{HT337,
   title = {Highly Interactive Mathematical User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {Mathematical User-Interfaces Workshop, Fifth Mathematical Knowledge Management Conference},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@unpublished{inaugural-fmis,
   title = {Making Formal Methods Work in {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2006},
   booktitle = {1st International Workshop on Formal Methods for Interactive Systems},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Macau}
}

@article{HT202,
   title = {How you can make a real killing in virtual universes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {9 June, 2006},
   booktitle = {Synthetic Worlds: The Business and Culture of Online Games (by E.~Castronova)},
   pages = {35},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1746}
}

@presentation{HT569,
   title = {New Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Oxford University}
}

@presentation{HT568,
   title = {New Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {London Knowledge Laboratory}
}

@presentation{HT570,
   title = {See the future {\ldots} Tomorrow's technology today},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Exhibition in National Waterfront Museum}
}

@presentation{HT403,
   title = {Creative future technologies},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {The Creative Technology Sector and Near Future Workshop, Colwyn Bay}
}

@presentation{HT567,
   title = {Cargo Cult Computer Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Glasgow University}
}

@presentation{HT571,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2005: with W. Thimbleby}
}

@presentation{HT404,
   title = {Future Relation of People and Computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Swansea Science Caf{\'e}}
}

@presentation{HT402,
   title = {Alterando il destino dell`umanit\`a},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Due Mondi Spoleto Festival, Italy}
}

@inproceedings{HT38,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2005},
   url = {http://www.cs.swan.ac.uk/calculators},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT563,
   title = {A chance to change the world with a new user interface},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Nottingham University}
}

@inbook{HT157,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W.~Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition Guide},
   pages = {6--7}
}

@article{news1,
   title = {La pi{\`u} grande opportunit{\`a} del mondo},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   pages = {5--6},
   journal = {Spoletosceinza},
   volume = {XVII},
   number = {30}
}

@presentation{HT565,
   title = {Bad (computer) Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Bangor University}
}

@presentation{HT564,
   title = {New approaches to interaction: the case of the calculator},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {with W. Thimbleby, Cardiff University}
}

@presentation{HT566,
   title = {Varieties of HCI},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {UCL}
}

@inproceedings{lost-bcs,
   title = {Lost --- or Liberated? --- Without Theory},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and J. Gulliksen and I. Boivie and L. Bannon and Lidia Oshlyansky},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 19th. British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {344},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {L. MacKinnon and O. Bertelsen and N. Bryan-Kinns},
   publisher = {British Computer Society},
   location = {Edinburgh, Scotland}
}

@presentation{HT406,
   title = {Bring the past to life and preserve today for tomorrow},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {National Waterfront Museum}
}

@unpublished{HT342,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Computing Science New Year Lecture},
   location = {Glasgow University}
}

@presentation{HT405,
   title = {Tenantspin \& tagging},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Cardiff Festival of Creative Technology}
}

@techreport{calc-patent,
   title = {Interactive Display},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Will Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   journal = {A Novel User Interface},
   series = {UK Patent No. 0512865.7 (subsequently patented in Australia, Europe, New Zealand and the USA)}
}

@inproceedings{HT118,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Will Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/calculators},
   location = {London \& Mumbai}
}

@inproceedings{HT356,
   title = {See the future {\ldots} Tomorrow's technology today},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {National Waterfront Museum},
   location = {Swansea}
}

@inproceedings{auto-dsvis,
   title = {Automatic Critiques of Interface Modes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Jeremy Gow}} and Paul Cairns},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 12th International Workshop on Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Systems --- {DSVIS} 2005},
   pages = {189--200},
   volume = {3941},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {S. W. Gilroy and Michael D. Harrison}
}

@unpublished{HT341,
   title = {Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {BT Science and Technology Seminar}
}

@inproceedings{HT54,
   title = {Designing for Usability},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {CIRCUA ESRC Conference}
}

@inproceedings{will-bcs,
   title = {A Novel Gesture-Based Calculator and Its Design Principles},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Will Thimbleby}}},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 19th. British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {27--32},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/calculators/index.html},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {L. MacKinnon and O. Bertelsen and N. Bryan-Kinns},
   publisher = {British Computer Society},
   location = {Edinburgh, Scotland}
}

@inproceedings{lost2-bcs,
   title = {Lost --- or Liberated? --- Without Theory},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and J. Gulliksen and I. Boivie and L. Bannon and Lidia Oshlyansky},
   year = {2005},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 19th. British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {299--301},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {L. MacKinnon and O. Bertelsen and N. Bryan-Kinns},
   publisher = {British Computer Society},
   location = {Edinburgh, Scotland}
}

@presentation{HT572,
   title = {Building the Future with Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2005},
   location = {Glasgow University Lecture}
}

@inproceedings{HT357,
   title = {A Gesture-based Calculator},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and W. Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Rags to Riches, Royal Society},
   location = {London}
}

This series of Geometry Lectures looked at all aspects of computer science, from how it works, how we can teach it better, what the exciting issues are, and what the future research questions should be. We’ve explored some very exciting areas, and we have covered some of the areas that are exciting, but often misunderstood. This final lecture of series, turned to how the computer science community itself works. * Where do all these ideas come from? * How reliable are they? * And, how can we do even better?

@techreport{HT358,
   title = {Better Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {This series of Geometry Lectures looked at all aspects of computer science, from how it works, how we can teach it better, what the exciting issues are, and what the future research questions should be. We've explored some very exciting areas, and we have covered some of the areas that are exciting, but often misunderstood. This final lecture of series, turned to how the computer science community itself works. * Where do all these ideas come from? * How reliable are they? * And, how can we do even better?},
   year = {13 May, 2004},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/better-programming}
}

@techreport{HT359,
   title = {Computer Circles},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {26 February, 2004},
   url = {http://www.harold.thimbleby.net/lisp},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/computer-circles}
}

@unpublished{HT343,
   title = {Knowing Computer Technology},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Christians in Science Annual Conference},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@inproceedings{gow-cadui,
   title = {{MAUI}: An Interface Design Tool Based on Matrix Algebra},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jeremy Gow},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifth ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design of User Interfaces IV --- {CADUI}'2004},
   pages = {81--94},
   isbn = {1--4020--3145--9},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/matrixweb/index.html},
   editor = {R. J. K. Jacob and Q. Limbourg and J. Vanderdonckt},
   publisher = {Kluwer Aacedmic Publishers},
   location = {Funchal, Maderia}
}

@inproceedings{integrating,
   title = {Integrating Information Seeking and Structuring: Exploring the Role of Spatial Hypertext in a Digital Library},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{George Buchanan}} and Ann Blandford and M. Jones},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Hypertext 2004, Fifteenth {ACM} Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia --- HT04},
   pages = {225--234},
   highlight = {Winner of Ted Nelson Newcomer Award}
}

@inproceedings{careers-bcs,
   title = {Effective and Enjoyable Research Careers in {HCI}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {125--128},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {A. Dearden and L. Watts},
   publisher = {Research Press International}
}

Tools to design, analyse and evaluate user interfaces can be used in user interface design research and in interface modelling research. This demonstration shows two working systems: one in Mathematica that is mathematically sophisticated, and one as a ‘conventional’ rapid application development environment, where the mathematics is hidden, and which could form the basis of a professional design tool — but which is based rigorously on the same algebraic formalism.

@inproceedings{gow-cadui3,
   title = {Computer Algebra in Interface Design Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jeremy Gow},
   abstract = {Tools to design, analyse and evaluate user interfaces can be used in user interface design research and in interface modelling research. This demonstration shows two working systems: one in Mathematica that is mathematically sophisticated, and one as a `conventional' rapid application development environment, where the mathematics is hidden, and which could form the basis of a professional design tool --- but which is based rigorously on the same algebraic formalism.},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 2004 {ACM/SIGCHI} International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces --- {IUI}'04},
   pages = {366--367},
   isbn = {1-58113-815-6},
   url = {http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/964442.964537},
   editor = {N. J. Nunes and C. Rich},
   location = {Funchal, Madeira}
}

@inproceedings{gow-cadui2,
   title = {Computer Algebra in Interface Design Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jeremy Gow},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the Fifth ACM International Conference on Computer-Aided Design of User Interfaces --- {CADUI}'2004},
   location = {Funchal, Madeira}
}

@presentation{HT408,
   title = {Communicating Science Honestly},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Royal Society/British Association Conference on Communicating Science},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT407,
   title = {Multidisciplinary Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {20 Years of HCI},
   location = {Loughborough}
}

@inproceedings{diverse-bcs,
   title = {Supporting Diverse {HCI} Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {125--128},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {A. Dearden and L. Watts},
   publisher = {Research Press International}
}

Formal methods in HCI are important, especially for safety critical systems, and of course for providing theory to underpin research. But formal methods are notoriously difficult, and the complexity of interactive systems that can be rigorously handled is limited. This paper shows how modern computer algebra systems can do some impressive mathematics that helps enormously in certain relevant areas of formalisation, such as in task/action mapping. Apart from learning how to use a computer algebra system, there is negligible craft knowledge — a new formal technique, as such, does not have to be learnt. One of the breakthroughs is the ability to generate formal interaction specifications, explore and generate theorems, from straight-forwardly programmed runnable animations; conventional iterative design can modify these implementations, and we can then automatically re-run the formal analyses.

@inproceedings{ca-bcs,
   title = {Computer Algebra in User Interface Design Analysis},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Formal methods in {HCI} are important, especially for safety critical systems, and of course for providing theory to underpin research. But formal methods are notoriously difficult, and the complexity of interactive systems that can be rigorously handled is limited. This paper shows how modern computer algebra systems can do some impressive mathematics that helps enormously in certain relevant areas of formalisation, such as in task/action mapping. Apart from learning how to use a computer algebra system, there is negligible craft knowledge --- a new formal technique, as such, does not have to be learnt. One of the breakthroughs is the ability to generate formal interaction specifications, explore and generate theorems, from straight-forwardly programmed runnable animations; conventional iterative design can modify these implementations, and we can then automatically re-run the formal analyses.},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {121--124},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/CA/index.html},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {A. Dearden and L. Watts},
   publisher = {Research Press International}
}

@inproceedings{HT55,
   title = {Integrating information seeking and structuring: Exploring the role of spatial hypertext in a digital library},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{George Buchanan}} and M. Jones and Ann Blandford},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the fifteenth ACM Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia --- HT04},
   pages = {225--234},
   journal = {Proceedings of the European Conference on Digital Libraries},
   location = {Santa Cruz, CA, USA}
}

@inproceedings{affordance-nordichi,
   title = {Breaking Affordance: Culture as Context},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Lidia Oshlyansky}} and Paul Cairns},
   year = {October 23-27, 2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of 3rd. Nordic {ACM} Conference on Computer-Human Interaction --- NordiChi 2004},
   pages = {81--84},
   location = {Tampere, Finland}
}

@inproceedings{HT56,
   title = {Supporting Information Structuring in a Digital Library},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{George Buchanan}} and Ann Blandford and M. Jones},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ECDL4}, European Conference on Digital Libraries},
   pages = {464--475},
   volume = {3232},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {R. Heery and L. Lyon}
}

@inproceedings{HT57,
   title = {Integrating Information Seeking and Structuring: Exploring the Role of Spatial Hypertexts in a Digital Library},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{George Buchanan}} and Ann Blandford and M. Jones},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the fifteenth ACM Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia, HT'04},
   pages = {225--234},
   publisher = {ACM Press}
}

@inproceedings{misleading-bcs,
   title = {Misleading Behaviour in Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Jeremy Gow and Paul Cairns},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {33--36},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {A. Dearden and L. Watts},
   publisher = {Research Press International}
}

@inproceedings{wali-bcs,
   title = {Evaluating a Novel Calculator Interface},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Cairns and {\main{S. Wali}}},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Proceedings British Computer Society {HCI} Conference},
   pages = {9--12},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {A. Dearden and L. Watts},
   publisher = {Research Press International}
}

@presentation{HT709,
   title = {This House Believes `smart' Tagging is Acceptable and Essential for Our Future},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Ubiconf 2004},
   location = {London}
}

@unpublished{HT344,
   title = {Quality Research and Ethics},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {EPSRC `EQUAL' Conference},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT576,
   title = {Building the Future with Weapons of Maths Construction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {Open University}
}

@presentation{HT577,
   title = {Fixing Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {Newcastle University}
}

@presentation{HT578,
   title = {Cargo Cult Computer Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {Open University}
}

@presentation{HT575,
   title = {Mobile Phones},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {London Nautical School}
}

@presentation{HT574,
   title = {Computer Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {Hampstead Scientific Society, London}
}

@article{HT298,
   title = {Don't Ditch Lectures 2},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2 April, 2004},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement}
}

@presentation{HT573,
   title = {Mud and Maths},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   location = {Royal Institution, London}
}

@article{HT203,
   title = {Nature Lessons for Computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {22 April, 2004},
   booktitle = {Imitation of Life (by N.~Forbes)},
   pages = {30},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1688}
}

@article{HT204,
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Languages for Developing User Interfaces (edited by B.~A.~Myers)},
   journal = {Higher Education Academy, Book reviews},
   url = {http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/publications/book_reviews/full_review.php?id=114}
}

@article{HT208,
   title = {Give your computer's {IQ} a boost},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {9 May, 2004},
   booktitle = {Journal of Machine Learning Research},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=176549}
}

It is usually very hard, both for designers and users, to reason reliably about user interfaces. This paper shows that ‘push button’ and ‘point and click’ user interfaces are algebraic structures. Users effectively do matrix algebra when they interact, and therefore we can be precise about some important issues of usability. Matrices, in particular, are useful for explicit calculation and for proof of various user interface properties.

With matrix algebra, we are able to undertake with ease unusally thorough reviews of real user interfaces: this paper examines a mobile phone, a handheld calculator and a digital multimeter as case studies. All difficulties in applying the approach correspond to awkward or avoidable complexities in the user interfaces being modelled: using matrix algebra in design therefore encourages designers to avoid such user interface complexities.

@article{matrix-tochi,
   title = {User Interface Design with Matrix Algebra},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {It is usually very hard, both for designers and users, to reason reliably about user interfaces. This paper shows that `push button' and `point and click' user interfaces are algebraic structures. Users effectively do matrix algebra when they interact, and therefore we can be precise about some important issues of usability. Matrices, in particular, are useful for explicit calculation and for proof of various user interface properties. 

With matrix algebra, we are able to undertake with ease unusally thorough reviews of real user interfaces: this paper examines a mobile phone, a handheld calculator and a digital multimeter as case studies. All difficulties in applying the approach correspond to awkward or avoidable complexities in the user interfaces being modelled: using matrix algebra in design therefore encourages designers to avoid such user interface complexities.},
   year = {2004},
   pages = {181--236},
   journal = {ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/matrixweb/index.html},
   volume = {11},
   doi = {10.1145/1005361.1005364},
   number = {2}
}

@article{HT207,
   title = {Dip Your Toes into Wet Computing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {16 July, 2004},
   booktitle = {Molecular Computing (edited by T.~Sienko, A.~Adamatzky, N.~G.~Rambidi {\&} M.~Conrad)},
   pages = {26},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=4&storycode=190093},
   number = {1649}
}

@article{HT206,
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2004},
   booktitle = {Object Orientated Macromedia Flash {MX} (by W.~Drol)},
   url = {http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/publications/book_reviews/full_review.php?id=115}
}

@article{HT205,
   title = {Break the Shackles of Genes and Memes and Escape to Utopia of Rationality},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {8 October, 2004},
   booktitle = {The Robot's Rebellion (by K.~E.~Stanovich)},
   pages = {30--31},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=4&storycode=191641},
   number = {1661}
}

@article{HT210,
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   booktitle = {Concepts in Programming Languages (by J.~C.~Mitchell)},
   journal = {Higher Education Academy, Book reviews},
   url = {http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/publications/book_reviews/full_review.php?id=125}
}

@article{HT209,
   title = {Biologists' Lives Full of Worrying Words},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {25 April, 2003},
   booktitle = {Making Sense of Life (by E.~F.~Keller)},
   pages = {30},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   url = {http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=31&storycode=176229},
   number = {1586}
}

@techreport{HT365,
   title = {Designing for Humans},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford},
   year = {13 February, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/designing-for-humans}
}

@presentation{HT584,
   title = {Digital Cryptography},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {UCL Science Society}
}

@presentation{HT583,
   title = {Safer Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {UCL Lunch Time Lecture}
}

@presentation{HT585,
   title = {Maths in Action},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {Royal Institution, London}
}

@presentation{HT586,
   title = {Warfare and Modern Cryptogrpahy},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {UCL Science Society, London}
}

@techreport{HT364,
   title = {From Lego, Java and Mathematica to feature interaction},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {13 March, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/designing-anything-from-lego-to-maths}
}

@presentation{HT582,
   title = {How and why to make computer science better},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {Brunel University}
}

@presentation{HT581,
   title = {Doing computer science better},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {Birkbeck College}
}

@techreport{HT360,
   title = {Plugging Computers In},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {27 November, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/plugging-computers-in}
}

@techreport{HT366,
   title = {Designing Microwave Cookers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {26 January, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/designing-microwave-cookers}
}

@presentation{HT579,
   title = {User Interface Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {Lancaster University}
}

@presentation{HT580,
   title = {Surviving Culture Clash},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2003},
   location = {Swansea University}
}

Symmetric things are often more attractive. Symmetry is also a geometric idea: things may have reflection symmetry or rotational symmetry, and so on. What better way to end this series of Geometry lectures on design than by showing how the design of interactive devices, like mobile phones, relates back to symmetry? Symmetry makes a versatile link between human perception and what interactive devices should be designed to do; it makes a constructive link between what is attractive and natural and what is easy to use.

@techreport{HT363,
   title = {Design by Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Symmetric things are often more attractive. Symmetry is also a geometric idea: things may have reflection symmetry or rotational symmetry, and so on. What better way to end this series of Geometry lectures on design than by showing how the design of interactive devices, like mobile phones, relates back to symmetry? Symmetry makes a versatile link between human perception and what interactive devices should be designed to do; it makes a constructive link between what is attractive and natural and what is easy to use.},
   year = {27 March, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/design-by-symmetry}
}

@techreport{HT362,
   title = {Unplugging Computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {9 October, 2003},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/unplugging-computers}
}

A simple and efficient insert sort algorithm is presented in Java.

This paper uses warping (automatic code inclusion from actual program source) to ensure reliability of the published code; the code extracts in this paper are guaranteed compiled, run and tested. The preceding paper in this journal discusses both the tool warp and its rationale.

@article{warpsort-spae,
   title = {An Improved Insert Sort Algorithm},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and O. Nevalainen and T. Raita},
   abstract = {A simple and efficient insert sort algorithm is presented in Java.

This paper uses warping (automatic code inclusion from actual program source) to ensure reliability of the published code; the code extracts in this paper are guaranteed compiled, run and tested. The preceding paper in this journal discusses both the tool warp and its rationale.},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {909--1001},
   journal = {Software --- Practice {\&} Experience},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/warp/index.html},
   volume = {33},
   number = {10}
}

Ensuring integrity between code and published papers so that algorithms can be written about reliably, whether for explaining them in scientific papers or books, requires automatic tool support. A versatile, light-weight approach that is easy to use is described.

(A Java implementation is available that works with Java, C and similar languages, and provides support for explanations in LaT_EX, XML, HTML, etc.)

@article{warp-spae,
   title = {Explaining Code for Publication},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Ensuring integrity between code and published papers so that algorithms can be written about reliably, whether for explaining them in scientific papers or books, requires automatic tool support. A versatile, light-weight approach that is easy to use is described. 

(A Java implementation is available that works with Java, C and similar languages, and provides support for explanations in {\LaTeX}, XML, HTML, etc.)},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {975--1001},
   journal = {Software --- Practice {\&} Experience},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/warp/index.html},
   volume = {33},
   doi = {10.1002/spe.537},
   number = {10}
}

The Chinese Postman Problem has many applications, including robot exploration, and analysing interactive system and Web site usability. This paper reviews the wide range of applications of the problem and presents complete, executable code to solve it for the case of directed multigraphs. A variation called the “open Chinese Postman Problem” is also introduced and solved. Although optimizations are possible, no substantially better algorithms are likely.

@article{dcc-spae,
   title = {The Directed Chinese Postman Problem},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The Chinese Postman Problem has many applications, including robot exploration, and analysing interactive system and Web site usability. This paper reviews the wide range of applications of the problem and presents complete, executable code to solve it for the case of directed multigraphs. A variation called the ``open Chinese Postman Problem'' is also introduced and solved. Although optimizations are possible, no substantially better algorithms are likely.},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {1081--1096},
   journal = {Software --- Practice {\&} Experience},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/cpp/index.html},
   volume = {33},
   doi = {10.1002/spe.540},
   number = {11}
}

This article describes a simplified cryptographic machine, based closely on the World War II Enigma. This ‘reduced Enigma’ exposes some of the design flaws of the original Enigma in a new way. Had the Axis powers built a reduced Enigma, the outcome of the war might have been different.

A fully working reduced Enigma has been used very successfully in numerous public lectures, in school talks, and in university seminars. Hands-on demonstrations of the reduced Enigma dramatically brings alive ideas about design, codes, permutations and groups. As a working trapdoor function, the reduced Enigma also provides an unusually clear introduction to public key cryptography. This article provides background information, lecture suggestions, and details for building it.

@article{enigma,
   title = {The Reduced Enigma},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {This article describes a simplified cryptographic machine, based closely on the World War II Enigma. This `reduced Enigma' exposes some of the design flaws of the original Enigma in a new way. Had the Axis powers built a reduced Enigma, the outcome of the war might have been different.

A fully working reduced Enigma has been used very successfully in numerous public lectures, in school talks, and in university seminars. Hands-on demonstrations of the reduced Enigma dramatically brings alive ideas about design, codes, permutations and groups. As a working trapdoor function, the reduced Enigma also provides an unusually clear introduction to public key cryptography. This article provides background information, lecture suggestions, and details for building it.},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {624--642},
   journal = {Computers {\&} Security},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/enigma/index.html},
   volume = {22},
   doi = {10.1016/S0167-4048(03)00712-0},
   number = {7}
}

@article{web-iwc,
   title = {Improving Web Search on Small Screen Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{M. Jones}} and George Buchanan},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {479--495},
   journal = {Interacting with Computers},
   volume = {15},
   doi = {10.1016/S0953-5438(03)00036-5},
   number = {4}
}

Modern cryptography can achieve levels of security and authentication that non-specialists find literally incredible. Techniques including information-hiding protocols, zero-knowledge proofs and public key cryptosystems can be used to support applications like digital signatures, digital cash, on-line poker and secure voting in ways that are provably secure — far more secure than the traditional systems they replace. This paper describes simple versions of such applications that have been used to give school-children and the general public a broad understanding of what can be achieved, and how.

The material has been extensively and successfully used by the authors in schools, science festivals and with undergraduates, and even postgraduate specialists.

@article{HT4,
   title = {Explaining Cryptographic Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and T. Bell and M. Fellows and I. Witten and N. Koblitz and M. Powell},
   abstract = {Modern cryptography can achieve levels of security and authentication that non-specialists find literally incredible. Techniques including information-hiding protocols, zero-knowledge proofs and public key cryptosystems can be used to support applications like digital signatures, digital cash, on-line poker and secure voting in ways that are provably secure --- far more secure than the traditional systems they replace. This paper describes simple versions of such applications that have been used to give school-children and the general public a broad understanding of what can be achieved, and how. 

The material has been extensively and successfully used by the authors in schools, science festivals and with undergraduates, and even postgraduate specialists.},
   year = {2003},
   pages = {199--215},
   journal = {Computers {\&} Education},
   volume = {40},
   doi = {10.1016/S0360-1315(02)00102-1},
   number = {3}
}

@inproceedings{traps-bcs,
   title = {Understanding Interaction Traps},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Ann Blandford}} and N. Bryan-Kinns},
   year = {2003},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of BCS {HCI2--3}: Designing for Society},
   pages = {57--60},
   volume = {2}
}

@techreport{HT361,
   title = {Magic Pictures},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {30 October, 2003},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/sirds/index.html},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/magic-pictures}
}

@unpublished{HT345,
   title = {The Little Book of Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Leeds Metropolitan University Research Day},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@article{HT213,
   title = {Put Life's Process into Your Program},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {8 February, 2002},
   booktitle = {Evolutionary Computation (edited by T.~B{\"a}ck, D.~B.~Fogel and Z.~Michalewicz)},
   pages = {34},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1524}
}

@article{HT212,
   title = {We have a Lot to Learn from Ants},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {26 April, 2002},
   booktitle = {Digital Biology (by P.~Bentley)},
   pages = {28},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1535}
}

Why were video recorders so difficult to use? Is there any hope for new gadgets like DVD players? What can we do about gadget complexity, and what can be learnt by approaching the design of gadgets mathematically? This lecture will show how video recorders, aircraft, the world wide web and user manuals are all interconnected.

@techreport{HT367,
   title = {Designing Gadgets},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Why were video recorders so difficult to use? Is there any hope for new gadgets like DVD players? What can we do about gadget complexity, and what can be learnt by approaching the design of gadgets mathematically? This lecture will show how video recorders, aircraft, the world wide web and user manuals are all interconnected.},
   year = {26 September, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/designing-gadgets}
}

@presentation{HT593,
   title = {Hands-on Cryptography: How the Internet Changes the Rules},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Science Centre, Mathematical {\&} Physical Sciences Faculty Lecture, UCL}
}

@article{HT211,
   title = {Keep it to Yourself},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Desktop Witness: The do's and don'ts of personal computer security (by M.~Caloyannides)},
   pages = {48},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {174},
   number = {2348}
}

@presentation{HT592,
   title = {Public Key Cryptography},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Middlesex University}
}

Keeping secrets is one of the earliest inventions of civilisation, and has become the science of cryptography. The World War II Enigma machine was just lots of scrambling, done in ways that could be understood in principle by a school child though it took daring and powerful computing to crack it. This lecture introduces the key ideas behind conventional cryptography, and explains why it is not good enough for modern applications such as international commerce on the Internet. The lecture also serves as an introduction to the following lecture (28 February, 2002) on modern cryptography.

@techreport{gresham-conventional-crypto,
   title = {Conventional Cryptography},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Keeping secrets is one of the earliest inventions of civilisation, and has become the science of cryptography. The World War II Enigma machine was just lots of scrambling, done in ways that could be understood in principle by a school child though it took daring and powerful computing to crack it. This lecture introduces the key ideas behind conventional cryptography, and explains why it is not good enough for modern applications such as international commerce on the Internet. The lecture also serves as an introduction to the following lecture (28 February, 2002) on modern cryptography.},
   year = {21 February, 2002},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/conventional-cryptography},
   series = {Gresham College}
}

Small handheld devices — mobile phones, PDAs etc — are increasingly being used to access the Web. Search engines are the most used Web services and are an important user support. Recently, Google (and other search engine providers) have started to offer their services on the small screen.

This paper presents a detailed evaluation of the how easy to use such services are in these new contexts. An experiment was carried out to compare users’ abilities to complete realistic tourist orientated search tasks using a WAP, PDA-sized and conventional, desktop interface to the full Google index. With all three interfaces, when users succeed in completing a task, they do so quickly (within 2 to 3 minutes) and using few interactions with the search engine. When they fail, though, they fail badly. The paper examines the causes of failures in small screen searching and proposes guidelines for improving these interfaces.

@inproceedings{HT58,
   title = {Sorting out Searching on Small Screen Devices},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{M. Jones}} and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {Small handheld devices --- mobile phones, PDAs etc --- are increasingly being used to access the Web. Search engines are the most used Web services and are an important user support. Recently, Google (and other search engine providers) have started to offer their services on the small screen.

This paper presents a detailed evaluation of the how easy to use such services are in these new contexts. An experiment was carried out to compare users' abilities to complete realistic tourist orientated search tasks using a WAP, PDA-sized and conventional, desktop interface to the full Google index. With all three interfaces, when users succeed in completing a task, they do so quickly (within 2 to 3 minutes) and using few interactions with the search engine. When they fail, though, they fail badly. The paper examines the causes of failures in small screen searching and proposes guidelines for improving these interfaces.},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 4th. International Symposium, Mobile Human-Computer Interaction {HCI} 2002},
   pages = {81--94},
   volume = {2411},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}
}

@inproceedings{HT59,
   title = {Spatial Hypertext as a Reader Tool in Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{George Buchanan}} and A. E. Blandford and M. Jones},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Visual Interfaces to Digital Libraries},
   pages = {13--24},
   volume = {2539},
   editor = {K. B{\"o}rner and C. Chen},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}
}

@presentation{HT409,
   title = {Interactive Television},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Londonone: iTV Conference},
   location = {London}
}

@article{HT299,
   title = {Higher Costs and Greater Gains 3},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {20 December, 2002},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {15},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1569}
}

@article{HT5,
   title = {Data Structures in the Design of Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{G. Marsden}} and M. Jones and P. Gillary},
   year = {2002},
   pages = {132--140},
   journal = {Personal and Ubiquitous Computing},
   volume = {6},
   number = {2}
}

The continual failure of personal technology highlights the growing problem of obsolete, irreparable and non-recyclable toxic waste. Moore’s Law is a symptom of failure as much as a promise of better technology. Better design could avoid the problems.

@article{HT6,
   title = {Obituary for a Fax},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and M. Jones},
   abstract = {The continual failure of personal technology highlights the growing problem of obsolete, irreparable and non-recyclable toxic waste. Moore's Law is a symptom of failure as much as a promise of better technology. Better design could avoid the problems.},
   year = {2002},
   pages = {151--152},
   journal = {Personal Technologies},
   volume = {6},
   number = {2}
}

When designing complex systems, it is standard systems engineering practice to carefully design the interfaces between subsystems. Yet when designing human/computer systems, the interface between human and system is not usually thought through in such terms. Instead, the human is often given wide access to arbitrary parts of the system, and the result is a complex human/computer system that fails in various ways.

We illustrate this argument with a case study of a public walk-up-and-use rail ticketing system. We show that the interaction imposed on the user is inappropriate to the user’s task needs; we show how user interface problems arise through access to organisational conventions that are of little interest to users. Furthermore, the wide interface is beyond the resources of the rail organisation to manage.

Conversely we show that an interface designed to hide irrelevant complexity (exactly as one would do approaching user interfaces as a systems engineering design problem) can have a beneficial impact on the user experience, including improving the reliability of the total system.

@inproceedings{ticket-bcs,
   title = {User Interface Design as Systems Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Ann Blandford and Paul Cairns and P. Curzon and M. Jones},
   abstract = {When designing complex systems, it is standard systems engineering practice to carefully design the interfaces between subsystems. Yet when designing human/computer systems, the interface between human and system is not usually thought through in such terms. Instead, the human is often given wide access to arbitrary parts of the system, and the result is a complex human/computer system that fails in various ways. 

We illustrate this argument with a case study of a public walk-up-and-use rail ticketing system. We show that the interaction imposed on the user is inappropriate to the user's task needs; we show how user interface problems arise through access to organisational conventions that are of little interest to users. Furthermore, the wide interface is beyond the resources of the rail organisation to manage. 

Conversely we show that an interface designed to hide irrelevant complexity (exactly as one would do approaching user interfaces as a systems engineering design problem) can have a beneficial impact on the user experience, including improving the reliability of the total system.},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings People and Computers --- Memorable Yet Invisible},
   pages = {281--301},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/tvm},
   volume = {XVI},
   editor = {X. Faulkner and J. Finlay and F. D{\'e}tienne},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   location = {London}
}

@inproceedings{HT60,
   title = {The New Usability: The Challenge of Designing for Pervasive Computing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Thomas},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the {ICCC2002}, 15th. International Conference on Computer Communication},
   pages = {382--388},
   editor = {S. V. Raghavan and S. P. Mudur}
}

@techreport{HT371,
   title = {Computer Viruses},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {21 March, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/computer-viruses}
}

@techreport{HT370,
   title = {Design Creativity with Maths},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {26 September, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College}
}

Computers need not just automate what is already being done, but can do completely new things. In the 1970s a new form of cryptography was invented, which is usually presented as an esoteric application of number theory. This new cryptography is asymmetric, meaning that the coding and decoding methods are different. In fact, the basic ideas are easily explained using geometric arguments, and the amazing new applications of asymmetric methods — such as digital cash — become easy to understand.

@techreport{HT372,
   title = {Modern Cryptography},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Computers need not just automate what is already being done, but can do completely new things. In the 1970s a new form of cryptography was invented, which is usually presented as an esoteric application of number theory. This new cryptography is asymmetric, meaning that the coding and decoding methods are different. In fact, the basic ideas are easily explained using geometric arguments, and the amazing new applications of asymmetric methods --- such as digital cash --- become easy to understand.},
   year = {28 February, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/modern-crytography}
}

@presentation{HT591,
   title = {Revolting calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Invariant Society, Oxford University}
}

@techreport{HT373,
   title = {Future Computers},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {24 January, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/future-computers}
}

Pressing buttons on a mobile phone chooses various functions, as if the phone’s functions are controlled by a code. Mobile phones are difficult to use almost entirely because their code is difficult to use. We can design a new code systematically, and using Huffman codes we can find one that is much faster and simpler than the manufacturer’s original code.

@techreport{HT368,
   title = {Designing Mobile Phones},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Pressing buttons on a mobile phone chooses various functions, as if the phone's functions are controlled by a code. Mobile phones are difficult to use almost entirely because their code is difficult to use. We can design a new code systematically, and using Huffman codes we can find one that is much faster and simpler than the manufacturer's original code.},
   year = {28 November, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/designing-mobile-phones}
}

@techreport{HT369,
   title = {1,000 Years of Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {21 November, 2002},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/1000-years-of-calculators}
}

@presentation{HT587,
   title = {Mobile Phones},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {St. Paul's Girls School, London}
}

@presentation{HT588,
   title = {Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Otago University, New Zealand}
}

@article{HT159,
   title = {Healthy {HCI}?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {November/December, 2002},
   pages = {8},
   journal = {{ACM} {SIGCHI} Bulletin},
   doi = {10.1145/571740.571752},
   issn = {0736-6906}
}

@presentation{HT590,
   title = {Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Nanyang Technological University, Singapore}
}

@article{news2,
   title = {It simply adds up},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {October 2, 2002},
   journal = {The Independent}
}

Symmetry is routinely used in visual design, but in fact is not just a visual concept. This paper explores how deeper symmetries in user interface implementations can be ‘reflected’ in the design of the user interface, and make them easier to use. This deeper application of symmetry for user interface design is related to affordance, and therefore makes that concept constructively applicable. Recommendations for programming better user interfaces are suggested.

“Symmetry, as wide or as narrow as you may define its meaning, is one idea by which man through the ages has tried to comprehend and create order, beauty, and perfection.” Hermann Weyl

@inproceedings{symmetry-avi,
   title = {Reflections on Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Symmetry is routinely used in visual design, but in fact is not just a visual concept. This paper explores how deeper symmetries in user interface implementations can be `reflected' in the design of the user interface, and make them easier to use. This deeper application of symmetry for user interface design is related to affordance, and therefore makes that concept constructively applicable. Recommendations for programming better user interfaces are suggested.

``Symmetry, as wide or as narrow as you may define its meaning, is one idea by which man through the ages has tried to comprehend and create order, beauty, and perfection.'' {\emph{Hermann Weyl\/}}},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings IEEE/ACM Advanced Visual Interfaces --- AVI2002},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {28--33},
   location = {Venice, Italy}
}

@article{HT160,
   title = {The Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   pages = {107--108},
   journal = {Mathematics Today},
   volume = {38},
   number = {4}
}

@article{news4,
   title = {Not Everything Your Computer Does is Magical},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {January 7, 2002},
   pages = {4},
   journal = {The Independent, Monday Review},
   url = {http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/harold-thimbleby--not-everything-your-computer-does-is-magical-662337.html}
}

@article{HT161,
   title = {The Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   pages = {328--330},
   journal = {Multimedia Information and Technology},
   volume = {27},
   number = {4}
}

@presentation{HT589,
   title = {Tour of New Zealand Universities: Talks On Computer Science Research and Cryptography},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2002},
   location = {Lecture Tour, 10 lectures, in each NZ university}
}

HCI has some rich and suggestive ideas, like affordance and direct manipulation. Symmetry is a powerful explanation of why these concepts work, and it can be generalised to guide new design for more effective user interfaces.

@inproceedings{symmetry-ozchi,
   title = {Symmetry for Successful Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {HCI has some rich and suggestive ideas, like affordance and direct manipulation. Symmetry is a powerful explanation of why these concepts work, and it can be generalised to guide new design for more effective user interfaces.},
   year = {2002},
   booktitle = {Proceedings ACM CHI New Zealand, OZCHI},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {1--9},
   editor = {S. Jones and M. Masoodian},
   location = {Waikato, New Zealand}
}

@article{news3,
   title = {Overfed with Info},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {15 February, 2002},
   pages = {24},
   journal = {Church Times},
   number = {7251}
}

Moore’s Law predicts substantial, sustained improvement in computing power. Yet while the technology gets better and better, the usability of “everyday things” is low (video recorders being a notorious example). Obsolescence, a symptom of Moore’s Law, hides flawed design: poor products are replaced rather than fixed. The poor quality of the computer science of everyday things is continually eclipsed by the hope for fixing today’s problems with tomorrow’s developments. This lecture shows that computer science can improve usability with ease. Improvement will be essential when ethical and environmental issues become, as they will, unavoidable design criteria.

@techreport{gresham-last,
   title = {The Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Moore's Law predicts substantial, sustained improvement in computing power. Yet while the technology gets better and better, the usability of ``everyday things'' is low (video recorders being a notorious example). Obsolescence, a symptom of Moore's Law, hides flawed design: poor products are replaced rather than fixed. The poor quality of the computer science of everyday things is continually eclipsed by the hope for fixing today's problems with tomorrow's developments. This lecture shows that computer science can improve usability with ease. Improvement will be essential when ethical and environmental issues become, as they will, unavoidable design criteria.},
   year = {15 October, 2001},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-computer-science-of-everyday-things}
}

@inproceedings{symmetry-dsvis,
   title = {Symmetry as a Connection between Affordance and State Space},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Design, Specification and Verification of Interactive Systems --- DSVIS 2001},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {10--19},
   editor = {C. Johnson},
   series = {GIST Technical Report, G2001-1},
   location = {Glasgow}
}

Henry Briggs, the first Gresham Professor of Geometry, developed what we now call common logarithms to make multiplication easier. Nowadays few of us use logarithms because hand-held calculators make everything much easier. But do they? This lecture will show how bad many current calculators are, and it will show how ideas in computing science can circumvent many of their problems.

@techreport{HT374,
   title = {From Henry Briggs to Modern Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Henry Briggs, the first Gresham Professor of Geometry, developed what we now call common logarithms to make multiplication easier. Nowadays few of us use logarithms because hand-held calculators make everything much easier. But do they? This lecture will show how bad many current calculators are, and it will show how ideas in computing science can circumvent many of their problems.},
   year = {29 November, 2001},
   series = {Gresham College},
   video = {http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/from-henry-briggs-to-modern-calculators}
}

User interfaces often only support one way to do a task when the physical interface or the logic of the task would permit other ways. In contrast, a user interface that supports multiple approaches is permissive. This paper argues that permissive user interfaces are easier to use — and even when they are not applicable for particular applications, considering permissiveness is a productive design heuristic.

@article{permissive-ijhcs,
   title = {Permissive User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {User interfaces often only support one way to do a task when the physical interface or the logic of the task would permit other ways. In contrast, a user interface that supports multiple approaches is {\emph{permissive\/}}. This paper argues that permissive user interfaces are easier to use --- and even when they are not applicable for particular applications, considering permissiveness is a productive design heuristic.},
   year = {2001},
   pages = {333--350},
   journal = {International Journal of Human-Computer Studies},
   volume = {54},
   number = {3}
}

Technology is fashionable, wonderful and getting better; Moore’s Law predicts substantial, sustained improvement. Yet the usability of ‘everyday things’ is low (video recorders being a notorious example). It seems to follow that improvements must be sought in areas outside technology, such as human factors. But a premise is wrong: in fact, the technology — the embedded computer science — is appalling!

Obsolescence, a symptom of Moore’s Law, hides flawed design: poor products are replaced rather than fixed. The poor quality of the computer science of everyday things is eclipsed by the hope for fixing today’s problems with tomorrow’s consumption.

This paper reviews Moore’s Law and the usability of everyday things; it shows that professional computer science can improve usability with ease. Improvement will be essential when ethical and environmental issues become, as they will, unavoidable design criteria.

@inproceedings{HT130,
   title = {The Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Technology is fashionable, wonderful and getting better; Moore's Law predicts substantial, sustained improvement. Yet the usability of `everyday things' is low (video recorders being a notorious example). It seems to follow that improvements must be sought in areas outside technology, such as human factors. But a premise is wrong: in fact, the technology --- the embedded computer science --- is appalling! 

Obsolescence, a symptom of Moore's Law, hides flawed design: poor products are replaced rather than fixed. The poor quality of the computer science of everyday things is eclipsed by the hope for fixing today's problems with tomorrow's consumption. 

This paper reviews Moore's Law and the usability of everyday things; it shows that professional computer science can improve usability with ease. Improvement will be essential when ethical and environmental issues become, as they will, unavoidable design criteria.},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd. {IEEE} Australasian User Interface Conference --- AUIC'01, Australian Computer Science Communications},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {3--12},
   isbn = {0--7695--0969--Z},
   volume = {23},
   editor = {P. Calder and M. Rees},
   number = {5},
   location = {Australia}
}

How hard do users find interactive devices to use to achieve their goals, and how can we get this information early enough to influence design?

We show that Markov modelling can obtain suitable measures, and we provide formulas that can be used for a large class of systems. We analyse and consider alternative designs for various examples. We introduce a “usability/knowledge graph,” and we show that a device that is “obviously” easy to use probably isn’t.

Markov models can be evaluated in suitable mathematical packages; Mathematica (one such package) can very conveniently simulate the device being evaluated: mathematical and empirical analysis may be combined. One would hope that in the future, design tools would include such mathematical analysis, and no new design skills would be required to evaluate devices. (This paper provides complete code in an Appendix.)

@article{markov-tochi,
   title = {Usability Analysis with Markov Models},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Paul Cairns and M. Jones},
   abstract = {How hard do users find interactive devices to use to achieve their goals, and how can we get this information early enough to influence design?

We show that Markov modelling can obtain suitable measures, and we provide formulas that can be used for a large class of systems. We analyse and consider alternative designs for various examples. We introduce a ``usability/knowledge graph,'' and we show that a device that is ``obviously'' easy to use probably isn't. 

Markov models can be evaluated in suitable mathematical packages; {\emph{Mathematica\/}} (one such package) can very conveniently simulate the device being evaluated: mathematical and empirical analysis may be combined. One would hope that in the future, design tools would include such mathematical analysis, and no new design skills would be required to evaluate devices. (This paper provides complete code in an Appendix.)},
   year = {2001},
   pages = {99--132},
   journal = {ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/Markov/index.html},
   volume = {8},
   number = {2}
}

Whilst it is generally accepted as a positive criterion, affordance only gives the weakest of hints for interactive systems designers. This paper shows how useful it is to consider affordance as a correspondence between program symmetries and user interface symmetries. Symmetries in state spaces (for instance, as might be visualised in statecharts) can be carried through to user interfaces and into user manuals, with beneficial results. Exploiting affordances, understood in this way, in addition to their well known user interface benefits, makes programs simpler and more reliable, and makes user manuals shorter.

@inproceedings{affordance-dsvis,
   title = {Affordance and Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Whilst it is generally accepted as a positive criterion, affordance only gives the weakest of hints for interactive systems designers. This paper shows how useful it is to consider affordance as a correspondence between program symmetries and user interface symmetries. Symmetries in state spaces (for instance, as might be visualised in statecharts) can be carried through to user interfaces and into user manuals, with beneficial results. Exploiting affordances, understood in this way, in addition to their well known user interface benefits, makes programs simpler and more reliable, and makes user manuals shorter.},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Interactive Systems: Design, Specification, and Verification, 8th. International Workshop --- DSVIS 2001},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {199--217},
   isbn = {3--540--42807--0},
   volume = {2220},
   editor = {C. Johnson},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   location = {Glasgow}
}

@inproceedings{HT62,
   title = {Just Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Duquenoy},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 5th. Ethicomp, The Social and Ethical Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies},
   pages = {83--91},
   editor = {T. W. Bynum and H. Krawczy and S. Rogerson and S. Szejko and B. Wiszniewski}
}

@presentation{HT413,
   title = {AI as Applied Justice},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Feats and Frontiers, An International AI Symposium in Memory of Sidney Michaelson},
   location = {Edinburgh}
}

@presentation{HT414,
   title = {Justice and Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {IFIP 9.2.2, Namur, Belgium}
}

@presentation{HT415,
   title = {UK HCI: Public and Private Thoughts},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Fourth Workshop on Effective Training and Education in HCI}
}

@presentation{HT711,
   title = {This House Believes Robots will have Free Will},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {`Feats and Frontiers,' An International AI Symposium in Memory of Sidney Michaelson},
   location = {Edinburgh University}
}

@presentation{HT412,
   title = {Automating Manuals},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Bluecoat Conference},
   location = {London}
}

@presentation{HT411,
   title = {UCL Interaction Centre},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Natural History Museum},
   location = {London}
}

@article{news5,
   title = {Debating Government Control of the Internet},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   journal = {Mots Pluriels et Grands Themes de Notre Temps},
   url = {http://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/MotsPluriels/MP1801ht.html},
   number = {18},
   issn = {1327 6220}
}

This paper describes preliminary work carried out to design a children’s digital library of stories and poems with and for children aged 11-14 years old. We describe our experience in engaging children as design partners, and propose a digital library environment and design features to provide an engaging, successful learning experience for children using it for collaborative writing.

@inproceedings{HT61,
   title = {Dynamic Digital Libraries For Children},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y-L. Theng}} and N. Mohd-Nasir and George Buchanan and B. Fields and N. Cassidy},
   abstract = {This paper describes preliminary work carried out to design a children's digital library of stories and poems with and for children aged 11-14 years old. We describe our experience in engaging children as design partners, and propose a digital library environment and design features to provide an engaging, successful learning experience for children using it for collaborative writing.},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {The First {ACM+IEEE} Joint Conference on Digital Libraries, {JCDL}},
   pages = {406--415}
}

@presentation{HT416,
   title = {Computer Viruses},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {National Residential Conference for Heads of Information Technology and Computing in Further Education Colleges},
   note = {Trojans and Cryptography: The Issues}
}

@presentation{HT410,
   title = {From Logs to Calculators},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {1000 Years of British Mathematics},
   location = {Royal Institution}
}

@inproceedings{HT63,
   title = {Improving Mobile Internet Usability},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and George Buchanan and S. Farrant and {\main{M. Jones}} and G. Marsden and M. Pazzani},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 10th. World Wide Web Conference --- WWW10},
   pages = {673--680},
   location = {Hong Kong}
}

Computer viruses are a worrying real-world problem, and a challenge to theoretical modelling. In this issue of the Computer Journal, Erkki Mäkinen proposes universal Turing machines in a critique of an earlier paper, “A framework for modelling Trojans and computer virus infection” (H. Thimbleby, S. O. Anderson and P. A. Cairns, Comp. J., 41(7):444–458, 1999). This short paper is a reply by those authors.

@article{comment-cj,
   title = {Reply to `Comment on ``A Framework for Modelling Trojans and Computer Virus Infection'', by E. M{\"a}kinen},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and S. O. Anderson and P. A. Cairns},
   abstract = {Computer viruses are a worrying real-world problem, and a challenge to theoretical modelling. In this issue of the {\emph{Computer Journal}}, Erkki M{\"a}kinen proposes universal Turing machines in a critique of an earlier paper, ``A framework for modelling Trojans and computer virus infection'' (H. Thimbleby, S. O. Anderson and P. A. Cairns, {\emph{Comp. J.}}, {\textbf{41}}(7):444--458, 1999). This short paper is a reply by those authors.},
   year = {2001},
   pages = {324--325},
   journal = {Computer Journal},
   volume = {44},
   number = {4}
}

@presentation{HT604,
   title = {Computer Science and Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {de Montfort University}
}

@presentation{HT602,
   title = {Symmetry {\&} Affordance},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {University of Cape Town, South Africa}
}

@unpublished{HT346,
   title = {Design Probes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Xootic Symposium on Pervasive Computing},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@presentation{HT603,
   title = {Ubiquitous User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {University of Bath}
}

@article{HT216,
   title = {Seduced by the Simulated Life},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2 February, 2001},
   booktitle = {Creation: Life and How to Make it (by S.~Grand)},
   pages = {27},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1472}
}

@article{HT214,
   title = {{Da Vinci} Dissection Illuminates Conception},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {12 October, 2001},
   booktitle = {Visual Computing (by R.~M.~Friedhoff and M.~S.~Peercy)},
   pages = {34},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1508}
}

@article{HT215,
   title = {Free for All},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {From Anarchy to Power (by W.~Grossman)},
   pages = {48},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {171},
   number = {2299}
}

@presentation{HT601,
   title = {Future Personal Technologies},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Tufts University, Boston, USA}
}

@unpublished{HT347,
   title = {Symmetry and Affordance},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   booktitle = {Xootic Symposium on Pervasive Computing},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

@presentation{HT605,
   title = {Affordance and User Interface Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {University College London}
}

@presentation{HT598,
   title = {Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA}
}

@presentation{HT597,
   title = {Ticket Machines and Ubiquitous Computing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Aware Home Research Initiative, Georgia Institute of Technology}
}

@presentation{HT595,
   title = {Ubiquitous Computing and The Challenge of Global Justice},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Regent's Park College (Oxford University) series in Technology and Culture from a Christian Perspective}
}

@presentation{HT594,
   title = {Justice and Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {BCS Ethics Committee, London}
}

@presentation{HT600,
   title = {Challenges in HCI},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Tufts University, Boston, USA}
}

@presentation{HT599,
   title = {User Interface Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {George Mason University, USA}
}

@presentation{HT596,
   title = {Affordance \& Symmetry},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2001},
   location = {Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, USA}
}

The Internet is a much bigger thing than any we are used to thinking about — it is the largest single thing humans have ever built (and the Y2K problem was the most expensive single problem ever to face humanity). We will have to come to terms with its great size, its multinational, multicultural diversity, and how it is impacting, and going to impact us — and what we should do. It is often asked whether the Internet poses new ethical problems, say, in comparison with the industrial revolution. This is a sterile debate: the industrial revolution is history; the Internet and its impact is unfolding in front of us. We can stand up to do some worthwhile things about the Internet now — and one of the most important things, in my view, is to clearly assert the ethical and spiritual impact it has on our lives.

@inproceedings{HT131,
   title = {Ethical and Spiritual Implications of the Internet},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The Internet is a much bigger thing than any we are used to thinking about --- it is the largest single thing humans have ever built (and the Y2K problem was the most expensive single problem ever to face humanity). We will have to come to terms with its great size, its multinational, multicultural diversity, and how it is impacting, and going to impact us --- and what we should do. It is often asked whether the Internet poses new ethical problems, say, in comparison with the industrial revolution. This is a sterile debate: the industrial revolution is history; the Internet and its impact is unfolding in front of us. We can stand up to do some worthwhile things about the Internet now --- and one of the most important things, in my view, is to clearly assert the ethical and spiritual impact it has on our lives.},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, Third Colloquium},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {House of Lords, London}
}

@inproceedings{HT65,
   title = {Interaction Modelling for Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and N. Bryan-Kinns and A. E. Blandford},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Workshop on Evaluation of Information Management Systems},
   pages = {1--10}
}

@presentation{HT421,
   title = {Hertfordshire Arts Umbrella Web Site},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Conference on The Arts and The Environment, Herts Arts Umbrella}
}

By taking a mobile phone as a worked example, we show how it and new interfaces can be analysed and simulated. A new interface is shown to reduce the optimal key press costs of accessing the phone’s functionality, without losing usability benefits — this is a specific contribution to menu design. However, the approach is not limited to mobile phones, nor just to menus; the techniques are general and can be applied widely. A distinctive feature of the approach is that it is fully inspectable and replicable — this is a contribution to the field of HCI more generally.

@inproceedings{ansim-bcs,
   title = {Analysis and Simulation of User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {By taking a mobile phone as a worked example, we show how it and new interfaces can be analysed and simulated. A new interface is shown to reduce the optimal key press costs of accessing the phone's functionality, without losing usability benefits --- this is a specific contribution to menu design. However, the approach is not limited to mobile phones, nor just to menus; the techniques are general and can be applied widely. A distinctive feature of the approach is that it is fully inspectable and replicable --- this is a contribution to the field of HCI more generally.},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Human Computer Interaction 2000, Proceedings British Computer Society Conference on Human-Computer Interaction},
   pages = {221--237},
   isbn = {1--85233--318--9},
   volume = {XIV},
   editor = {S. McDonald and Y. Waern and G. Cockton},
   location = {Newcastle, England}
}

@inproceedings{HT66,
   title = {Designing a Children's Digital Library with and for Children},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and N. Mohd-Nasir and George Buchanan and M. Jones},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the ACM Fifth Digital Library Conference},
   pages = {266--267}
}

@inproceedings{HT64,
   title = {Children as Design Partners and Testers for a Children's Digital Library},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and N. Mohd-Nasir and George Buchanan and M. Jones and D. Bainbridge and N. Cassidy},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 4th. European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, ECDL 2000},
   pages = {249--258},
   volume = {1923},
   editor = {J. Borbinha and T. Baker},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}
}

@inbook{HT275,
   title = {Virus, Computer},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and I. H. Witten},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {The Encyclopedia of Computer Science},
   pages = {1839--1841},
   editor = {A. Ralston and E. D. Reilly and D. Hemmendinger},
   edition = {4th},
   publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}
}

User interfaces are bad and not getting better. Users would be empowered by usability certificates, so they could make informed choices when purchasing complex equipment, and hence apply market pressure to improve quality. A clear labelling scheme is required to enable consumer action.

@inproceedings{cert-bcs,
   title = {Empowering Users with Usability Certificates},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and M. Jones and G. Marsden},
   abstract = {User interfaces are bad and not getting better. Users would be empowered by {\emph{usability certificates\/}}, so they could make informed choices when purchasing complex equipment, and hence apply market pressure to improve quality. A clear labelling scheme is required to enable consumer action.},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Human Computer Interaction 2000, Proceedings British Computer Society Conference on Human-Computer Interaction},
   pages = {37--38},
   isbn = {1--902505--35--2},
   volume = {II},
   editor = {S. Turner and P. Turner},
   location = {Newcastle, England}
}

@presentation{HT418,
   title = {Trust Panel},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {ACM CHI},
   location = {Amsterdam}
}

@presentation{HT417,
   title = {Thoughts on User Interface Patterns},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Cairns},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Patterns in Human Computer Interaction, IFIP WG13.2/BCS HCI Group}
}

@inbook{HT274,
   title = {Literate Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {The Encyclopedia of Computer Science},
   pages = {1000--1002},
   editor = {A. Ralston and E. D. Reilly and D. Hemmendinger},
   edition = {4th},
   publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}
}

@inbook{HT273,
   title = {Java},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {The Encyclopedia of Computer Science},
   pages = {937--941},
   editor = {A. Ralston and E. D. Reilly and D. Hemmendinger},
   edition = {4th},
   publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}
}

@presentation{HT420,
   title = {EPSRC Workshop},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Handheld and Ubiquitous Computing, HUC2k}
}

@presentation{HT419,
   title = {Mobile Phones},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Design for Usability},
   location = {London}
}

This paper describes a usability tool implemented to demonstrate that meaningful results could be obtained from small user studies.

@inproceedings{HT119,
   title = {A Usability Tool for Web Evaluation applied to Digital Library Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Y. L. Theng and N. Mohd Nasir},
   abstract = {This paper describes a usability tool implemented to demonstrate that meaningful results could be obtained from small user studies.},
   year = {May 15-19, 2000},
   booktitle = {World Wide Web Conference --- {WWW9} Poster Proceedings},
   pages = {90--91},
   location = {Amsterdam}
}

@article{HT217,
   title = {Techs Appeal},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Robo Sapiens: Evolution of a New Species (by P.~Menzel and F.~D'Aluisio)},
   pages = {51},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {167},
   number = {2256}
}

@unpublished{HT348,
   title = {Just Programming},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Sixth International Conference on Object-Oriented Information Systems, OOIS2000},
   aftertitle = {Keynote}
}

Using a ballot box is so terribly quaint. In Britain, there is a policeman, a couple of volunteers, some bits of paper with curious holes in, a booth where there is a pencil and curtain, and finally the battered metal ballot box, with a padlock. It all may have looked state of the art in the twelfth century. Instead, we could be using the superhighway, and it would be so easy we could have referenda on all sorts of issues. Individuals up and down the country could easily find out what issues of importance were — from their digital televisions — and they could make their preferences known. Representatives in parliament would know what the country really thought, rather than what the media told it, and democracy would improve.

@article{HT162,
   title = {Cyberspace --- The Way of Future Votes},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Using a ballot box is so terribly quaint. In Britain, there is a policeman, a couple of volunteers, some bits of paper with curious holes in, a booth where there is a pencil and curtain, and finally the battered metal ballot box, with a padlock. It all may have looked state of the art in the twelfth century. Instead, we could be using the superhighway, and it would be so easy we could have referenda on all sorts of issues. Individuals up and down the country could easily find out what issues of importance were --- from their digital televisions --- and they could make their preferences known. Representatives in parliament would know what the country really thought, rather than what the media told it, and democracy would improve.},
   year = {2000},
   pages = {18--19},
   journal = {Foundations},
   volume = {3},
   number = {2}
}

@unpublished{HT349,
   title = {Killer User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {WAP und Mobile eCommerce},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   location = {Frankfurt}
}

@presentation{HT712,
   title = {This House Believes that `Control of the Internet by Governments is Imperative for the Well-being of Society},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Real Time Club},
   location = {London}
}

As a result of the popularity of graphical user interfaces, it is now almost impossible to buy a programming language compiler, instead, one purchases a development environment. Of course, we can scoff at the distinction and say that a development environment is nothing more than a programming language with visual (as opposed to syntactic) sugar. We believe, however, that this view must change if safer and more responsible programming languages are to be created for the next generation of programmer. Within this paper, we will argue that a more theoretical approach should be taken to the development of programming environments and suggest ways in which this may be achieved.

@article{HT7,
   title = {Holistic Programming Environments},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{G. Marsden}}},
   abstract = {As a result of the popularity of graphical user interfaces, it is now almost impossible to buy a programming language compiler, instead, one purchases a development environment. Of course, we can scoff at the distinction and say that a development environment is nothing more than a programming language with visual (as opposed to syntactic) sugar. We believe, however, that this view must change if safer and more responsible programming languages are to be created for the next generation of programmer. Within this paper, we will argue that a more theoretical approach should be taken to the development of programming environments and suggest ways in which this may be achieved.},
   year = {2000},
   pages = {237--241},
   journal = {South African Computer Journal},
   volume = {26},
   issn = {1015-7999}
}

@article{HT163,
   title = {Beware False Gods},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and S. Rogerson},
   year = {2000},
   pages = {26--27},
   journal = {Institute for the Management of Information Systems Journal},
   volume = {10},
   number = {2},
   issn = {1369--4189}
}

@presentation{HT606,
   title = {Computer Ethics},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {House of Lords, London}
}

@presentation{HT607,
   title = {Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {Stellenbosch University, South Africa}
}

@presentation{HT611,
   title = {Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {Cambridge University}
}

@presentation{HT610,
   title = {Computer Science of Everyday Things},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {University of Cape Town, South Africa}
}

@presentation{HT612,
   title = {Interaction Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {University of York}
}

@presentation{HT613,
   title = {Interaction Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {Microsoft Research, Cambridge}
}

@presentation{HT608,
   title = {The Crisis in Computer Science},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {Stellenbosch University, South Africa}
}

A preliminary study was conducted to help understand the purpose of digital libraries (DLs) and to investigate whether meaningful results could be obtained from small user studies of digital libraries. Results stress the importance of mental models, and of “traditional” library support.

@inproceedings{HT67,
   title = {Purpose and Usability of Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and George Buchanan and N. Mohd-Nasir},
   abstract = {A preliminary study was conducted to help understand the purpose of digital libraries (DLs) and to investigate whether meaningful results could be obtained from small user studies of digital libraries. Results stress the importance of mental models, and of ``traditional'' library support.},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Fifth {ACM} Conference on Digital Libraries, {ACM} {DL}'2000},
   pages = {238--239},
   location = {San Antonio, Texas}
}

In the two decades hand-held calculators have been readily available there has been ample time to develop a usable design and to educate the consumer public into choosing quality devices. This article reviews a representative calculator that is ‘state of the art’ and shows it has an execrable design. The design is shown to be confusing and essentially non-mathematical. Substantial evidence is presented that illustrates the inadequate documentation, bad implementation, feature interaction, and feature incoherence. These problems are shown to be typical of calculators generally. Despite the domain (arithmetic) being well-defined, the design problems are profound, widespread, confusing — and needless. Worrying questions are begged: about design quality control, about consumer behaviour, and about the role of education — both at school level (training children to acquiesce to bad design) and at university level (training professionals to design unusable products). The article concludes with recommendations.

@article{needless-ijhcs,
   title = {Calculators are Needlessly Bad},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {In the two decades hand-held calculators have been readily available there has been ample time to develop a usable design and to educate the consumer public into choosing quality devices. This article reviews a representative calculator that is `state of the art' and shows it has an execrable design. The design is shown to be confusing and essentially non-mathematical. Substantial evidence is presented that illustrates the inadequate documentation, bad implementation, feature interaction, and feature incoherence. These problems are shown to be typical of calculators generally. Despite the domain (arithmetic) being well-defined, the design problems are profound, widespread, confusing --- and needless. Worrying questions are begged: about design quality control, about consumer behaviour, and about the role of education --- both at school level (training children to acquiesce to bad design) and at university level (training professionals to design unusable products). The article concludes with recommendations.},
   year = {2000},
   pages = {1031--1069},
   journal = {International Journal of Human-Computer Studies},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/calculators/index.html},
   volume = {52},
   number = {6}
}

@inproceedings{trust-chi,
   title = {Non-contractual Trust},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{E. Davenport}} and M. Dibben and B. Friedman and S. P. Marsh and H. Rosenbaum},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} {CHI} (Extended Abstracts)},
   note = {Design, and Human Computer Interactions},
   pages = {239--240},
   location = {Amsterdam, Holland}
}

@inproceedings{HT68,
   title = {On Discerning Users},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {How to make User Centred Design Usable},
   pages = {63--78},
   editor = {J. Gulliksen and A. Lantz and I. Boivie},
   series = {TRITA-NA-D0006, CID-72},
   location = {KTH, Stockholm, Sweden}
}

Exploiting standard computer science algorithms, we designed a more efficient user interface for a mobile phone. In experiments, the new design was found to be not only more efficient but preferred by users.

@inproceedings{uid-chi,
   title = {Successful User Interface Design from Efficient Computer Algorithms},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{G. Marsden}} and P. Gillary and M. Jones},
   abstract = {Exploiting standard computer science algorithms, we designed a more efficient user interface for a mobile phone. In experiments, the new design was found to be not only more efficient but preferred by users.},
   year = {2000},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {ACM} {CHI} (Extended Abstracts)},
   pages = {181--182}
}

@presentation{HT609,
   title = {Contributions from Computing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2000},
   location = {University of South Africa}
}

@article{HT300,
   title = {Time Bomb with a Longer Fuse},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {3 March, 2000},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {17},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1425}
}

@presentation{HT424,
   title = {Justice and Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Duquenoy},
   year = {1999},
   location = {IFIP 9.2.2, Namur, Belgium}
}

It is not possible to view a computer operating in the real world, including the possibility of Trojan Horse programs and computer viruses, as simply a finite realisation of a Turing Machine. We consider the actions of Trojan Horses and viruses in real computer systems and suggest a minimal framework for an adequate formal understanding of the phenomena. Some conventional approaches, including biological metaphors, are shown to be inadequate; some suggestions are made towards constructing virally-resistant systems.

@article{framework-cj,
   title = {A Framework for Modelling Trojans and Computer Virus Infection},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and S. O. Anderson and Paul Cairns},
   abstract = {It is not possible to view a computer operating in the real world, including the possibility of Trojan Horse programs and computer viruses, as simply a finite realisation of a Turing Machine. We consider the actions of Trojan Horses and viruses in real computer systems and suggest a minimal framework for an adequate formal understanding of the phenomena. Some conventional approaches, including biological metaphors, are shown to be inadequate; some suggestions are made towards constructing virally-resistant systems.},
   year = {1999},
   pages = {444--458},
   journal = {Computer Journal},
   volume = {41},
   number = {7}
}

This paper shows how to combine a substantial part of the product development cycle of interactive devices into a single, co-ordinated approach. Much can be derived automatically from a suitable specification of the interactive device, and it can be derived automatically. Normal product development has a device specified and built, then has its manuals written, then it is used and tested. At this late stage design problems may be identified, but it is now too late: usability studies become academic in so far as the particular product is concerned, since it is already effectively in production. It would be better if the testing and manual writing could rapidly be obtained from the initial specification, before any investment has been made in fabrication. This paper offers a design approach that achieves this, and it shows how the various views of the design can be used help improve each other — for instance, the automatically generated user manual can be fed back to suggest improvements in the design.

A microwave cooker is used as a real example. However, this paper provides full and unabridged details of everything it discusses by using Mathematica as a rapid prototyping environment. Any similar device can be analysed in the same way, directly from the paper.

This paper is based on H. Thimbleby, “Specification-led Design,” Living Life to the Full with Personal Technologies, IEE Digest No 98/268, pp4/1-4/9, 1998.

@article{HT8,
   title = {Specification-led Design for Interface Simulation, Collecting Use-data, Interactive Help, Writing Manuals, Analysis, Comparing Alternative Designs, etc},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {This paper shows how to combine a substantial part of the product development cycle of interactive devices into a single, co-ordinated approach. Much can be derived automatically from a suitable specification of the interactive device, and it can be derived automatically. Normal product development has a device specified and built, then has its manuals written, then it is used and tested. At this late stage design problems may be identified, but it is now too late: usability studies become academic in so far as the particular product is concerned, since it is already effectively in production. It would be better if the testing and manual writing could rapidly be obtained from the initial specification, before any investment has been made in fabrication. This paper offers a design approach that achieves this, and it shows how the various views of the design can be used help improve each other --- for instance, the automatically generated user manual can be fed back to suggest improvements in the design.

A microwave cooker is used as a real example. However, this paper provides full and unabridged details of everything it discusses by using Mathematica as a rapid prototyping environment. Any similar device can be analysed in the same way, directly from the paper.

This paper is based on H. Thimbleby, ``Specification-led Design,'' {\emph{Living Life to the Full with Personal Technologies}}, IEE Digest No 98/268, pp4/1-4/9, 1998.},
   year = {1999},
   pages = {241--254},
   journal = {Personal Technologies},
   url = {http://cs.swan.ac.uk/~csharold/ansim/index.html},
   volume = {4},
   number = {2}
}

The Year 2000 problem is the most expensive single problem that has ever faced the human race. It has come about because computers cant do sums correctly around the millennium.

@article{news7,
   title = {The Millenium Bug},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The Year 2000 problem is the most expensive single problem that has ever faced the human race. It has come about because computers cant do sums correctly around the millennium.},
   year = {1999},
   pages = {17--19 {\&} 27},
   journal = {The Brewer},
   volume = {85},
   number = {1010},
   issn = {0006--9736}
}

Harold Thimbleby challenges the view that lifelong learning should equip people to cope with an ever more complex world.

@article{news6,
   title = {Smart to be Simple},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Harold Thimbleby challenges the view that lifelong learning should equip people to cope with an ever more complex world.},
   year = {12 February, 1999},
   pages = {15},
   journal = {The Times Higher Education Supplement: Multimedia},
   number = {1371}
}

@presentation{HT422,
   title = {User Centred Tools},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Workshop on User Centred Design, Interact'99},
   location = {Edinburgh}
}

@presentation{HT423,
   title = {Commentary on P. Ladkin's ``Ursachenanalyse von Ungl\"ucksf\"allen in Luftverkehr''},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Natur, Gesetz, Naturgesetz: Historiche und Zeitgen\"ossische Perspektiven (Conference on Natural Law: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives)},
   location = {Max Planck Institut f\"ur Wissenschaftsgeschichte (Max Plank Institute for the History of Science), Bad Homburg}
}

@article{HT301,
   title = {Computer Chaos},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {2 April, 1999},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {22},
   journal = {The Times}
}

Our experience of using Java is disappointing: as a programming language (irrespective of its implementations and libraries) Java itself leaves much to be desired. This paper discusses a few serious problems with Java’s design, which leads us to suggest that the language definition should have been an integral part of the design process rather than, as appears, a retrospective commentary.

@article{java-spae,
   title = {A Critique of Java},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Our experience of using Java is disappointing: as a programming language (irrespective of its implementations and libraries) Java itself leaves much to be desired. This paper discusses a few serious problems with Java's design, which leads us to suggest that the language definition should have been an integral part of the design process rather than, as appears, a retrospective commentary.},
   year = {1999},
   pages = {457--478},
   journal = {Software --- Practice {\&} Experience},
   volume = {29},
   number = {5}
}

@inproceedings{web-interact,
   title = {How do We Build Web Sites Fit for Purpose?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and George Buchanan and G. Marsden and Y. L. Theng},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings IFIP Conference on {Human-Computer Interaction} --- Interact 1999},
   pages = {11--12},
   isbn = {1--902505--19-0},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {S. Brewster and A. Cawsey and G. Cockton}
}

@article{HT248,
   title = {Web of Lies},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {And That's the Way it Will Be (by C.~Harper)},
   pages = {44},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {161},
   number = {2170}
}

@article{HT247,
   title = {Web of Thieves},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Crime in a Digital Age (by P.~N.~Grabosky, R.~Smith {\&} P.~Wright)},
   pages = {44},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {161},
   number = {2170}
}

As current digital libraries are becoming more complex, the facilities provided by them will increase and the difficulty of learning associated with the complexity of using these facilities will also increase. In order to produce usable and useful interactive systems, designers need to ensure that good design features are incorporated into the systems, taking into consideration end-users’ needs and cultural backgrounds. We carried out a study to investigate useful design features of digital libraries for task completion and end-user’s perceived impressions on the effectiveness of the digital libraries. The results also suggest that there is little provision on the interface to cater to end-users’ browsing and inter-cultural needs. Hence, this paper also discusses design guidelines for the design of user-centred digital libraries.

@inproceedings{HT74,
   title = {Design Guidelines and User-Centred Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and Y. L. Theng and E. Duncker and N. Mohd Nasir and George Buchanan},
   abstract = {As current digital libraries are becoming more complex, the facilities provided by them will increase and the difficulty of learning associated with the complexity of using these facilities will also increase. In order to produce usable and useful interactive systems, designers need to ensure that good design features are incorporated into the systems, taking into consideration end-users' needs and cultural backgrounds. We carried out a study to investigate useful design features of digital libraries for task completion and end-user's perceived impressions on the effectiveness of the digital libraries. The results also suggest that there is little provision on the interface to cater to end-users' browsing and inter-cultural needs. Hence, this paper also discusses design guidelines for the design of user-centred digital libraries.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Third European Conference on Digital Libraries ECDL'99: Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries},
   pages = {167--183},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   editor = {S. Abiteboul and A. Vercoustre},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag}
}

@inproceedings{HT73,
   title = {A Stable View of the Hyperactive Web},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and George Buchanan and G. Marsden and T. Tan and Y-L. Theng},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Workshop on The Active Web},
   pages = {27--33},
   isbn = {1--897898--45--2},
   editor = {D. Clarke and A. Dix and F. Dix}
}

@inproceedings{HT72,
   title = {Dynamic Metadata for Monitoring Digital Library Management},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and George Buchanan and G. E. Marsden},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Fourth {ACM} Conference on Digital Libraries},
   pages = {219--220},
   location = {Berkeley, California}
}

Within the field of HCI there are a number of preferred approaches towards design. As within other disciplines, these approaches are often irreconcilable. We explore the possibilities of using ethics as a way to bridge the gap and re-establish the design focus of doing good towards the user. This is the idea of ‘justice’ to aid improved design. According to Aristotle, justice is classed as a virtue: to do justice is to act for the good, which is what is wanted for good HCI design. John Rawls’ classic A Theory of Justice, (1971) talks about justice as fairness, and it is in this context we apply justice to the area of design. We show some surprising links with HCI practice, and hence suggest some new perspectives on HCI.

@inproceedings{justice-interact,
   title = {Justice and Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Duquenoy},
   abstract = {Within the field of HCI there are a number of preferred approaches towards design. As within other disciplines, these approaches are often irreconcilable. We explore the possibilities of using ethics as a way to bridge the gap and re-establish the design focus of doing good towards the user. This is the idea of `justice' to aid improved design. According to Aristotle, justice is classed as a virtue: to do justice is to act for the good, which is what is wanted for good HCI design. John Rawls' classic {\emph{A Theory of Justice\/}}, (1971) talks about justice as fairness, and it is in this context we apply justice to the area of design. We show some surprising links with HCI practice, and hence suggest some new perspectives on HCI.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {IFIP} Conference on Human-Computer Interaction --- Interact 1999},
   pages = {281--286},
   isbn = {0--9673355--0--7},
   editor = {M. A. Sasse and C. Johnson}
}

@article{HT246,
   title = {False Image},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Media Technology and Society (by B.~Winston)},
   pages = {43},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {161},
   number = {2170}
}

@article{morality-interact,
   title = {`Artificial Morality': Representations of Trust in Interactive Systems?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and E. Davenport and {\main{S. P. Marsh}} and M. Dibben},
   year = {1999},
   pages = {211--213},
   isbn = {1--902505--19-0},
   journal = {Proceedings IFIP Conference on Human-Computer Interaction --- Interact 1999},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {S. Brewster and A. Cawsey and G. Cockton}
}

@article{HT219,
   title = {Beyond the Fractal Frontier},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {21 May, 1999},
   booktitle = {Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology and Life Sciences},
   pages = {33},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1385}
}

@article{HT218,
   title = {Natural Beauty of Computer Land},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {29 October, 1999},
   booktitle = {The Computational Beauty of Nature: Computer Explorations of Fractals, Chaos, Complex Systems and Adaptation (by G.~W.~Flake)},
   pages = {28},
   journal = {Times Higher Education Supplement},
   number = {1408}
}

@inproceedings{HT120,
   title = {A Usability Tool for Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and N. Mohd-Nasir},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 9th. International World Wide Web Conference --- WWW9 Poster Proceedings},
   pages = {90--91},
   location = {Toronto}
}

@presentation{HT614,
   title = {Computer Viruses},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Cairns},
   year = {1999},
   location = {Kings College London}
}

@article{HT122,
   title = {Towards a Usermetric Tool to Improve Web Accessibility},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}}},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 8th. International World Wide Web Conference --- WWW8 Poster Proceedings},
   note = {Poster Proceedings},
   pages = {152--153},
   publisher = {Fortec Seminars},
   location = {Toronto}
}

@article{HT121,
   title = {Meaningful Link Verification for Management and Maintenance of Web Sites},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and George Buchanan and G. Marsden},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings 8th. International World Wide Web Conference --- WWW8 Poster Proceedings},
   pages = {170--171},
   location = {Toronto},
   publisher = {Fortec Seminars}
}

@presentation{HT619,
   title = {Analytic Approaches to User Interfaces},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   location = {Southampton University}
}

@inproceedings{HT71,
   title = {Design Guidelines and User-centred Digital Libraries},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and E. Dunker and N. Mohd-Nasir and George Buchanan},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, Third European Conference on Digital Libraries, {ECDL'99}},
   pages = {167--183},
   volume = {1696},
   editor = {S. Abiteboul and A-M. Vercoustre},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag}
}

In developing electronic gadgets, meters and oscilloscopes are used to probe into their workings, so that engineers can understand how they are behaving and how they can be improved. Analogously, this paper suggests a variety of conceptual probes that can be used to explore the process of design. The probes focus designers’ attention onto successfully managing complexity and in coping with socio-economic influences on design practice in the real world.

@inproceedings{HT134,
   title = {Design Probes for Handheld and Ubiquitous Computing},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {In developing electronic gadgets, meters and oscilloscopes are used to probe into their workings, so that engineers can understand how they are behaving and how they can be improved. Analogously, this paper suggests a variety of conceptual probes that can be used to explore the process of design. The probes focus designers' attention onto successfully managing complexity and in coping with socio-economic influences on design practice in the real world.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Handheld and Ubiquitous Computing, First International Symposium --- HUC'99},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {1--19},
   volume = {1707},
   editor = {H-W. Gellersen},
   publisher = {Springer Verlag},
   series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
   location = {Karlsruhe, Germany}
}

Modern cryptography can achieve levels of security and authentication that non-specialists find literally incredible. Techniques include information-hiding protocols, zero-knowledge proofs and public key cryptosystems; they can be used to support applications like digital signatures, digital cash, on-line poker and secure voting in ways that are provably secure — far more secure than the traditional systems they replace. This paper describes simple versions of such applications that have been used to give school-children and the general public a broad understanding of what can be achieved, and how.

@inproceedings{HT133,
   title = {Explaining Cryptosystems to the General Public},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and T. Bell and M. Fellows and I. Witten and N. Koblitz},
   abstract = {Modern cryptography can achieve levels of security and authentication that non-specialists find literally incredible. Techniques include information-hiding protocols, zero-knowledge proofs and public key cryptosystems; they can be used to support applications like digital signatures, digital cash, on-line poker and secure voting in ways that are provably secure --- far more secure than the traditional systems they replace. This paper describes simple versions of such applications that have been used to give school-children and the general public a broad understanding of what can be achieved, and how.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {First IFIP World Conference on Information Security Education ({WISE}), Proceedings IFIP TC11 WG11.8 Conference},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {221--233},
   isbn = {91--7153--910--7},
   editor = {L. Yngstgr{\"o}m and S. Fischer-H{\"u}bner},
   location = {Stockholm University/Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden},
   series = {Report Series 99--008},
   issn = {1101--8526}
}

@presentation{HT615,
   title = {Review of Research},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   location = {University of Rome, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy}
}

@presentation{HT616,
   title = {On Discerning Users},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   location = {Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden}
}

@presentation{HT618,
   title = {Interactive Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   location = {Centre for Electronic Arts, London}
}

@presentation{HT617,
   title = {Inspiration, Insight, Influence},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1999},
   location = {Rutgers University, USA}
}

The design of car (automobile) radios exposes ethical issues in the design of consumer electronics. We show that car radios, despite being manufactured for many years and being a well-understood technology, are unsafe to use. It is implausible that manufacturers design such unsafe devices unwittingly. We argue that complex in-car devices raise clear ethical issues:

• their complexity of operation demands and diverts driver attention from road safety (social ethics — social responsibility)
• the values embedded in their design (e.g., marketing values, seductive styling) are not consistent with their function (design ethics — issues of professional responsibility)

Further, we show there is a correspondence between theories of justice and these ethical issues.

@inproceedings{HT70,
   title = {Ethics and Consumer Electronics},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and G. Marsden and P. Duquenoy},
   abstract = {The design of car (automobile) radios exposes ethical issues in the design of consumer electronics. We show that car radios, despite being manufactured for many years and being a well-understood technology, are unsafe to use. It is implausible that manufacturers design such unsafe devices unwittingly. We argue that complex in-car devices raise clear ethical issues: {\begin{itemize}}{\item} their complexity of operation demands and diverts driver attention from road safety (social ethics --- social responsibility) {\item} the values embedded in their design (e.g., marketing values, seductive styling) are not consistent with their function (design ethics --- issues of professional responsibility) {\end{itemize}}

Further, we show there is a correspondence between theories of justice and these ethical issues.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th. {ETHICOMP} International Conference on the Social and Ethical Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies, Ethicomp'99},
   isbn = {88--900396--0--4},
   editor = {A. D'Atri and A. Marturano and S. Rogerson and T. Ward Bynum}
}

Interactive systems are complex and often difficult to use. Their complex design therefore presents ideal, and worthwhile, material for visualising. Some of the generic ways of visualising interaction, and some of the pitfalls, are illustrated using simple techniques applied to real examples. One problem with interactive devices, particularly in the consumer market, is rapid obsolescence: we visualise this as a performance-over-time graph, and show that doing so provides further insight into the design process and its problems.

@inproceedings{HT132,
   title = {Visualising the Potential of Interactive Systems},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Interactive systems are complex and often difficult to use. Their complex design therefore presents ideal, and worthwhile, material for visualising. Some of the generic ways of visualising interaction, and some of the pitfalls, are illustrated using simple techniques applied to real examples. One problem with interactive devices, particularly in the consumer market, is rapid obsolescence: we visualise this as a performance-over-time graph, and show that doing so provides further insight into the design process and its problems.},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 10th. {IEEE} International Conference on Image Analysis and Processing ({ICIAP}'99)},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {670--677},
   location = {Trento, Italy}
}

@book{cybernauts,
   title = {Cybernauts Awake!},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and N.~Beale and T.~Byrne and D.~Leal and S.~Peyton-Jones and J.~Pickering and D.~J.~Pullinger},
   year = {1999},
   note = {(97pp)},
   isbn = {0--7151--6586--0},
   publisher = {Church House Press}
}

@inproceedings{HT69,
   title = {Towards a Synthesis of Discourse Ethics and Internet Regulation},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{P. Duquenoy}} and S. Torrance},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th. {ETHICOMP} International Conference on the Social and Ethical Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies, Ethicomp'99},
   isbn = {88--900396--0--4},
   editor = {A. D'Atri and A. Marturano and S. Rogerson and T. Ward Bynum}
}

@inproceedings{principles-interact,
   title = {Using Computing Science Principles in Interface Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and G. Marsden and P. Gillary and M. Jones},
   year = {1999},
   booktitle = {Proceedings IFIP Conference on {Human-Computer} Interaction --- Interact 1999},
   pages = {47--48},
   isbn = {1--902505--19-0},
   volume = {2},
   editor = {S. Brewster and A. Cawsey and G. Cockton}
}

@unpublished{HT350,
   title = {What is The Computer Medium?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Multi-viewpoint, Shaping the Human-Computer Interface},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   publisher = {Design Research Society Conference}
}

@presentation{HT427,
   title = {Panel},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Workshop on User Interfaces for Theorem Provers},
   location = {Eindhoven}
}

@presentation{HT425,
   title = {Internet Ethics},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {IFIP 9.2.2 Namur}
}

@presentation{HT426,
   title = {Making Computing Exciting},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {First Workshop on the Design of Hypermedia},
   location = {CERN, Geneva}
}

The other day I was using Microsoft Word 98...

@article{news8,
   title = {Spare the Rod},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {The other day I was using Microsoft Word 98{\ldots}},
   year = {1998},
   note = {Spoil the Computer?},
   pages = {11},
   journal = {Ariadne},
   url = {http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue18/minotaur},
   volume = {18},
   issn = {1361--3197}
}

@article{HT249,
   title = {Free Thinking},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Information Liberation (by B.~Martin)},
   pages = {47},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {160},
   number = {2163}
}

@article{HT164,
   title = {Practical Authoring Tools for Web Authoring},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}}},
   year = {1998},
   journal = {Interfaces: Human-Computer Interaction, British Computer Society {HCI} Specialist Group Newsletter},
   number = {38},
   issn = {1351-119X}
}

@presentation{HT626,
   title = {3D Vision},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {National Association for Gifted Children}
}

@article{news9,
   title = {Www.rsa.org.uk Where We Are @},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and G. Botting and George Buchanan and G. Marsden and Y. L. Theng},
   year = {1998},
   pages = {118--119},
   journal = {RSA Journal},
   volume = {146},
   number = {5487},
   issn = {0958--0433}
}

@article{HT250,
   title = {Time Out},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Computer Fun for Everyone (by E.~Kordahl)},
   pages = {49},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {160},
   number = {2162}
}

@article{HT251,
   title = {Health desk},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {{CRS}: Computer-Related Syndrome (by R.~D.~Smith and S.~Garske)},
   pages = {52},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {159},
   number = {2142}
}

@article{HT254,
   title = {Work It Out},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {The Codebreakers (by D.~Kahn)},
   pages = {48},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {157},
   number = {2124}
}

@article{HT253,
   title = {Take Your Pick},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {The Mathematical Magpie (by C.~Fadiman)},
   note = {pages48},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {157},
   number = {2124}
}

@article{HT252,
   title = {Good Idea},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {The Inventor's Guide (by British Library Patents Information Team)},
   pages = {46},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {158},
   number = {2138}
}

@presentation{HT627,
   title = {Internet Ethics and Security},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {VIP Briefing, Investment Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}
}

@presentation{HT628,
   title = {System Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Evening lecture, The Oxford Trust}
}

@presentation{HT632,
   title = {Java: A Critique},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Melbourne University, Victoria, Australia}
}

@presentation{HT631,
   title = {Gadgets: Fun or Dangerous?},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Interactive Information Institute and Centre for Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Victoria, Australia}
}

@article{HT221,
   title = {Common Tongue},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Knowledge Assets (by M.~Boisot) and Navigating Complexity (by A.~Battram)},
   pages = {49},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {160},
   number = {2154}
}

@presentation{HT633,
   title = {The Internet},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Warwick University Information Systems Seminar}
}

@article{HT223,
   title = {Sailing to {Java} (Computing Science Student Books Reviews)},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   pages = {52--53},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {157},
   number = {2127}
}

@presentation{HT629,
   title = {Internet Evenings},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Chambers of Commerce, Haringey, North London}
}

@presentation{HT630,
   title = {Morality and the Information Society},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College, London}
}

@article{HT224,
   title = {Roar of The Surf},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Net.wars (by W.~Grossman)},
   pages = {43},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {157},
   number = {2117}
}

@presentation{HT625,
   title = {The Internet and the Global Stage},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Victoria, Australia}
}

@article{HT143,
   title = {Formal Methods in Human-Computer Interaction (by P.~Palanque and F.~Patern{\'o})},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   pages = {103--104},
   journal = {Software Testing, Verification and Reliability},
   volume = {8},
   doi = {10.1002/(SICI)1099-1689(199806)8:2<103::AID-STVR158>3.0.CO;2-#},
   number = {2}
}

@inbook{2020-iee,
   title = {Personal Issues: Personal Boundaries/Global Stage},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {2020 Vision: Morality in the Information Society},
   pages = {81--93},
   isbn = {0--85296--702--0},
   publisher = {Institution of Electrical Engineers}
}

The UK Worshipful Company of Information Technologists organised two high-level colloquia to debate ethical and spiritual implication of the new IT & Telecoms Environment in 1997. The colloquia were hosted in the UK House of Lords. This paper summarises the debates of those colloquia, and discusses some of the ethical and cultural issues that arise.

@inproceedings{HT76,
   title = {UK Views on Ethical and Spiritual Implications of {IT}},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and P. Duquenoy and N. Beale},
   abstract = {The UK Worshipful Company of Information Technologists organised two high-level colloquia to debate ethical and spiritual implication of the new IT {\&} Telecoms Environment in 1997. The colloquia were hosted in the UK House of Lords. This paper summarises the debates of those colloquia, and discusses some of the ethical and cultural issues that arise.},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Fourth International Conference on Ethical Issues in Information Technology, Ethicomp'98},
   pages = {734--742}
}

@inproceedings{HT75,
   title = {{HyperAT}: Addressing Usability Issues in Web Authoring},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}}},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Proceedings {WebNet}'98, World Conference of the {WWW}, Internet, {\&} Intranet},
   pages = {885--896},
   location = {Orlando, Florida},
   organization = {Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education ({AACE})}
}

@inproceedings{continuous-bcs,
   title = {Towards Continuous Usability Evaluation of Web Documents},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby and {\main{Y. L. Theng}} and G. Marsden},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Proceedings BCS HCI'98, Conference Companion},
   pages = {40--41},
   editor = {J. May and J. Siddiqi and Wilkinson}
}

@inproceedings{HT77,
   title = {Specification-led Design},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Proceedings Living Life to the Full with Personal Technologies},
   pages = {4/1--4/9},
   number = {{IEE} Seminar 98/268}
}

@article{HT303,
   title = {Time to Fight for Easier Technology},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {31 January, 1998},
   aftertitle = {Letter},
   pages = {23},
   journal = {The Times}
}

@article{HT302,
   title = {Using the Web Requires Resources},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {21 May, 1998},
   pages = {6},
   journal = {North Circular}
}

@article{HT220,
   title = {You Don't Want to See it},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {The Invisible Computer (by D.~A.~Norman)},
   pages = {51},
   journal = {New Scientist},
   volume = {160},
   number = {2162}
}

@presentation{HT620,
   title = {Creative and Effective Design: A Critique of the Culture of Amazing Technology},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {BCS Evening Lecture at University of West of England}
}

@presentation{HT623,
   title = {Dangerous Toys},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {IEE Surrey Region AGM Lecture}
}

Computer science develops complex systems that demand all our attention to just begin to understand. Critical thinking is overwhelmed, that might otherwise have been directed at rhetoric blocking and hubris detection. This paper shows that there is much unchecked hyperbole in computing, which affects our own standards and ability to design well. The paper explains why such problems come about, how people collude in their propagation.

We show that detecting and eliminating design problems must be seen as engaging in justice and fighting hypocrisy (even in ourselves), and is an extremely worthwhile, if daunting, task. The connection with justice is expanded, and shown to be a practical design heuristic.

“Learning how to not fool ourselves is, I’m sorry to say, something that we haven’t specifically included in any particular course that I know of. We just hope you’ve caught it by osmosis.” Richard Feynman

@inproceedings{HT135,
   title = {The Detection and Elimination of Spurious Complexity},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Computer science develops complex systems that demand all our attention to just begin to understand. Critical thinking is overwhelmed, that might otherwise have been directed at rhetoric blocking and hubris detection. This paper shows that there is much unchecked hyperbole in computing, which affects our own standards and ability to design well. The paper explains why such problems come about, how people collude in their propagation.

We show that detecting and eliminating design problems must be seen as engaging in justice and fighting hypocrisy (even in ourselves), and is an extremely worthwhile, if daunting, task. The connection with justice is expanded, and shown to be a practical design heuristic. 

``Learning how to not fool ourselves is, I'm sorry to say, something that we haven't specifically included in any particular course that I know of. We just hope you've caught it by osmosis.'' Richard Feynman},
   year = {1998},
   booktitle = {Proceedings of the Workshop on User Interfaces for Theorem Provers},
   aftertitle = {Keynote},
   pages = {15--22},
   editor = {R. C. Backhouse and J. C. M. Baeten},
   issn = {0926--4515},
   location = {Eindhoven, Holland}
}

@presentation{HT624,
   title = {Calculators and the Imagination},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   year = {1998},
   location = {IEE Science, Education and Technology Division Lecture}
}

Designer-centred design methods build on the knowledge and skills of the designers to improve user interface design. Unlike users, designers are trained to handle complexity and to make design trade-offs. They are the people centrally in control of the design process. Designer-centred design complements and refocuses user-centred design methods. A particular designer-centred design approach, “Design Aloud” is introduced and justified.

@article{HT9,
   title = {Design Aloud: A Designer-Centred Design {(DCD)} Method},
   author = {Harold Thimbleby},
   abstract = {Designer-centred design methods build on the knowledge and skills of the designers to improve user interface design. Unlike users, designers are trained to handle complexity and to make design trade-offs. They are the people centrally in control of the design process. Designer-centred design complements and refocuses user-centred design methods. A particular designer-centred design approach, ``Design Aloud'' is introduced and justified.},
   year = {1998},
   pages = {45--50},
   journal = {HCI Letters},
   volume = {1},
   number = {1}
}