IFM: An Intelligent Graphical User Interface Offering Advice

This paper describes a graphical user interface that provides intelligent help to users based on its user modelling component. The graphical user interface is called Intelligent File Manipulator (IFM). IFM monitors users while they work; in case a user has made a mistake, IFM intervenes automatically and offers advice. The reasoning of the user modelling component of IFM is largely based on an adaptation of a cognitive theory, called Human Plausible Reasoning (HPR). HPR is combined with techniques that refer to the individual user and stereotypes. In addition, IFM incorporates a goal recognition mechanism. The goal recognition mechanism is based on a notion called 'instability'. IFM has been evaluated in comparison with human experts acting as consultants. The results of the evaluation have shown that IFM can successfully improve human-computer interaction by producing advice helpful to users.

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