Adapting computer data storage to user group behaviour.
We have designed several interactive computer systems for financial analysts. In early designs we treated the analysts-computer interactive dialogue at a computer terminal as being isolated from group considerations. In a later system we were forced to make extensive technical changes to take account of data storage sharing. This sharing of data storage had to operate in a way which was consistent with existing group attitudes. The relevant features of this system are described, and reviewed after more than two years of operation. We conclude that many user-computer interactive dialogues cannot be designed as if they were 'private' to a single user, but must be considered in a wider context of the way in which members of a user group interact.