Language considerations for information management systems

Abstract

in the data base, or have a random number generator select one randomly. Hut, if more than one item is in stock, it is most proDable that the user would like to see some of the other items as well. In fact, he probably wants to see all the items if the list is not "to0 long." It is not clear at all how the user is expected to ask for more items after the response to (1). Is he expected to make a new request, perhaps phrased as in (2)? Or is he expected tc retype the same request as in (1) again, and to obtain a different item? Under the first item selection, the same (I) request will produce the same results. Hence, there is no way for him to get a different item printed. Under the random item selection, he would probably get a different item each time the same (1) request is executed; however, he has no control over which item is printed. Hithout user ccntrol it is doubtful that any selection strategy is useful.