(Back up to central page on the debate)

Some negative questions

• " I don't think 'human factors' add up to a coherent problem with a research solution. Piecemeal solutions work fine. Looking for grand solutions is close to human engineering and that is only a few steps from ethnic cleansing. Let interfaces evolve in a capitalist market. Don't plan them."

• In a Panel session at HCI '94 in Glasgow, a question was asked of the industrial panellists as to the use they made of academic research in HCI. The answer from one was 'None', at which point the Chairman wound up the meeting!

• HCI is always researching the technology now going out of use, never in front innovating. The last big example is the WWW.

• There is no point in trying to do good HCI, because Microsoft will define the industry standard, and conforming to that will be more important than any other aspect of utility or usability.