RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Scientific workstations are increasingly finding their way on to the desktops of petroleum professionals, resulting in the widespread use of a range of complex applications for tasks such as basin modelling, seismic interpretation and reservoir modelling. The increasing complexity of these programs raises serious issues of how effective on-line user support can best be provided. One emerging approach which is generating enthusiasm is the use of hypertext technology to assist the user.
In this paper, we describe the design and development of a hypertext-based intelligent help facility for a complex petroleum exploration application. We describe what hypertext is, and discuss its applicability for applications in, the petroleum exploration and production (PEandP) industry, giving examples to illustrate where appropriate.
The system has been developed as part of an intervention strategy for the Hedera application. It is able to inform the user of erroneous data arid inconsistent actions, as well as offering appropriate help and advice when required. As well as offering help on the application, hypertext technology can be applied to tasks such as annotation of work, and generation of reports of work undertake in during a modelling session.
Background: The Need for More Help
Software application developers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to provide the intended users of their products with an appropriate degree of help which can be called upon when required. Furthermore, the failure to offer such a help facility can result in a product failing to complete in the market-place.
The need for effective help becomes ever more apparent as applications increase in their complexity and functionality, and particularly so with graphical user interfaces, where it is up to the user to decide what happens next. Very often users find themselves in situations where they are faced with an overwhelming choice of options, and little information to help them discriminate between choices. There is great reluctance to consult manuals, which are all too often badly written, difficult to use to find the information sought, and sometimes don't even contain the information in the first place! Even the most well thought out, intuitive interface should have some online help available, which can be easily called up, since application designers can never be sure of the end users of their product, and should not assume a level of computer literacy.
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