Contemporary Cybernetics

Abstract

The goal of a good computer interface is to provide a natural language help facility that allows new users to learn about the computer, its operating system in particular, and the important packages that are available for his use. The UNIX Consultant (UC) is an intelligent natural language interface designed to allow naive users to communicate with the UNIX operating system (of A.T. and T. Bell Laboratories) in ordinary English in as painless a way as possible. UC allows the user to engage in natural language dialogues with the operating system. He can query UC about how to do things in UNIX, ask about common names, formats, receive on‐line definitions of UNIX and get help debugging problems using UNIX commands.

Citation

(1984), "Contemporary Cybernetics", Kybernetes, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb005692