This paper aims to review selectively a fair proportion of the literature on human–computer interaction (HCI) over the three years since Shackel (J. Am. Soc. Inform. Sci. 48 (11) (1997) 970–986). After a brief note of history I discuss traditional input, output and workplace aspects, the web and ‘E-topics’, web-related aspects, virtual reality, safety-critical systems, and the need to move from HCI to human-system integration (HSI). Finally I suggest, and consider briefly, some future possibilities and issues including web consequences, embedded ubiquitous computing, and ‘back to systems ergonomics?’.