Multi-media and process control interfaces : signals or noise?

Multimedia interfaces are examined and the nature of current input and output media identified. A number of design objectives for multimedia interfaces are suggested – improving efficiency, learning and providing a stimulating problem solving environment. The key problem of how to choose an appropriate medium for a particular interface situation is analysed and the concept of a Signal to Noise ratio for measuring media expressiveness is tentatively postulated. Some recent work in process control is then examined and the results interpreted from the Signal-to-Noise ratio viewpoint. These are then related to the concept of media expressiveness