Information storage and retrieval systems for bibliographic material have been largely paper-based with archiving making use of photographic microform. Since the 1970s indexing methods employing computer-based systems have been used to assist in the retrieval.
Initially a command-lie interface was used on mainframe computers, for example, Medline and Inspec; more recently full-screen hierarchical menus of choices and form filling have been available to access CD-ROM databases such as Hilites on personal computers (Pc).
For data and correspondence, the move has been to desktop PC systems employing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) involving the use of screen windows, icons, menus and pointing devices, e.g. tracker balls or mice.
The PC has also become the prevalent tool for producing the 'products' arising from the information retrieval activity, generally a report for a meeting of decision makers.
In relation to the user interface, there has been a move from the textual description of information to the graphical, so that instead of a list of filenames, the user is presented with an icon map of the hierarchical structure of the filing system.
Visual metaphors such as the filing cabinet of folders are also used to increase the affordance of the system.
N. Reeves and S. Mills are with the Cheltenharn and Gloucester College of Higher Education
J. Noyes is with the University of Bristol