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Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design
 
 
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Understanding Computers and Cognition: A New Foundation for Design (Paperback)

by Terry Winograd (Author), Fernando Flores (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This volume is a theoretical and practical approach to the design of computer technology.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (January 11, 1987)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0201112973
  • ISBN-13: 978-0201112979
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,435 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just Another Pretty Face, July 24, 2001
By Chauncey Bell (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
A few years ago Byte Magazine named this one of the 10 most important books in the history of the computer industry. Flores was asked to keynote the 50th anniversary meeting of the ACM on the strength of the work he has done, some of which is shown here.

I am a little surprised not to find a review here that shows awareness of what this book is and was intended to do -- to turn those concerned with the design of the role of computers in society into a new direction. The book offers a fundamental enrichment and extension to the traditional engineering-based foundations that are used for designing computer systems that is drawn from philosophy and biology. It opens the development of a rigorous new design milleau to the reader. This is NOT yet another multi-disciplinary rumination.

I would say this is not a "helpful" book, and it was never intended as an easy read. It is a book to turn to when one has learned enough about what is really at issue in putting computers to work in human life to discover that the likes of input, process, output, "friendly" interfaces, attractive graphical presentations, and logical flow charts are vastly insufficient distinctions for doing work that really makes a contribution to your clients and colleagues. The book challenges the reader strongly, and is not simple to read. I guess that the best way to read it is with someone else, having discussions as you go along.

This is a book to engage and grow with -- a must-read for those serious about designing and building systems that will affect the lives of those who engage with them.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Biological dependencies for cognition, November 14, 1997
By A Customer
This is an excellent text which describes an approach to using computers to perform an enabling role within corporate enterprises by using their ability to allow clearer understanding between participants in the workplace. The other aspect of this book looks at current methods of creating AI systems and their fundamental weaknesses. Having read this as part of my MSc. in Information Technology I have re-read it several times and I would recommend it to all those involved in complex system design, implementation and support. In addition a book such as Checklands Soft Systems Methodolgy will give a good introduction to how the systems described in Understanding Computers and Cognition can be designed to meet the demands of "real world" environments.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought out..., March 25, 1997
By A Customer
A remarkable work that delves into the field of human cognition and emerges with a fresh, intelligent perspective of how computers can and cannot support human cognitive efforts. Anyone interested in artificial intelligence and/or workflow will find this book an informative read
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read, way ahead of its time
In completely enjoyed this book. For starters it takes a lot of Heidegger's work and makes it completely accessible. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brad Uselton

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and Brilliant
Understanding Computers and Cognition is an excellent book giving the right background and walks you nicely to understand all the notion of Speech act, Intention driven... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ariela Avni

4.0 out of 5 stars What are We to Make of Computers, and Computers Make of Us
Winograd and Flores' `Understanding Computers and Cognition' proposes that the rationalist tradition in AI must be replaced by a hermeneutic approach. Read more
Published on April 20, 2002 by Arun Kumar Tripathi

3.0 out of 5 stars A little disappointed
I read the 1986 or 87 version of this book and am of a software/AI background. I didn't follow the biological material that well - either I was being dense or it just wasn't... Read more
Published on March 23, 2000

3.0 out of 5 stars Illuminates the concept of a user-system system
The authors' theme is that we each react to and are changed by our environment which in turn reacts to and is changed by each of us. Read more
Published on March 31, 1999

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