Familiar: Automating Repetition in Common Applications.
Gordon W. Paynter · 1999
Computers reputedly excel at repetitive problems, yet many users find themselves performing the same actions over and over again. Non-programmers have little choice but to perform iterative tasks by hand. Programming by demonstration is an end-user programming technique that lets the user teach the computer a program by showing it examples of what they want done, much as they might teach another human. This paper describes Familiar, an agent that helps users to automate iterative tasks by demonstration using common applications and existing technology. An evaluation shows that users are able to automate iterative tasks with Familiar, but found that they prefer other techniques in many situations if they have the choice. 1 Introduction Computer users often encounter problems in common applications like spreadsheets and word processors that can only be solved by repeating an action or set of actions. Tasks that are quickly and easily accomplished once become tedious and time-consuming ...