The UK Department of Trade & Industry and Loughborough University of Technology Human Sciences and Advanced Technology Research Institute, Husat, are jointly promoting the benefits of human computer interaction. The Department is apparently keen to make both public and industry aware of the importance of ergonomics and how they affect issues such as health and safety and standardisation, although it has yet to specify its exact commitment. It says it is supporting the Human-Computer Interaction information service that is a collaborative venture between Husat and LUTCHI, Loughborough University of Technology Computer Human Interface Research Centre. The information service is to offer the latest information and documentation on human computer interaction, access to a computerised human factors bibliographic database, a specialist library on human-computer interface, and assistance in the interpretation and analysis of information. Husat is the largest centre in Europe specialising in the study of human-computer interaction, and it believes that the wealth of material published makes information difficult to locate and interpret. The information service is also providing access to a facility called the Usability Evaluation Service which has evolved from a number of evaluation techniques to assess the usability of different design options. Husat is targeting the new services at the commercial, industrial, and research communities, and says that the subscription can be annually or on a pay-as-you-use basis.
