DISPLAY CONSOLE
Several basic hypotheses resulted from the study program and have been used in the formulation of the initial design concepts. First, it is advantageous to handle many routine operations at the console in order to minimize communication between the con- sole and the time-shared computer. This approach reduces the demands on the central computer and should result in more rapid access to the central machine when required. It further reduces the cost of transmitting information from the time-shared com- puter to the console, an important consideration in any large operational system. Second, careful attention should be given to the size and content of the console alphabet, the ability to produce superscripts and sub- scripts, and to the human engineering aspects of the console in order to ensure favorable user reaction to the console and to the overall system. Third, it must be possible for the uninitiated user to become familiar with the operation of the console and the catalog system rapidly and easily. Finally, the design of the console should be such that it can be economically reproduced. This feature is a necessary prerequisite to the wide-scale use of computer-stored augmented-catalog systems. Consideration of these hypotheses has led to the formulation of the design concepts described in the following paragraphs.