The MAC System: A Progress Report

Abstract

The notion of machine-aided cognition implies an intimate collaboration between a human user and a computer in a real-time dialogue on the solution of a problem, in which the two parties contribute their best capabilities. In order for this intimate collaboration to be possible, a computer system is needed that can serve simultaneously a large number of people, and that is easily accessible to them, both physically and intellectually. The present MAC System is a first step toward this goal. The purpose of this paper is to present a brief description of the current system, to report on the experience gained from its operation, and to indicate directions along which future developments are like to proceed.