In the past few years a branch of sociology, conversation analysis, has begun to have a significant impact on the design of human*b1computer interaction (HCI). The investigation of human*b1human dialogue has emerged as a fruitful foundation for interactive system design.****This book includes eleven original chapters by leading researchers who are applying conversation analysis to HCI. The fundamentals of conversation analysis are outlined, a number of systems are described, and a critical view of their value for HCI is offered.****Computers and Conversation will be of interest to all concerned with HCI issues--from the advanced student to the professional computer scientist involved in the design and specification of interactive systems.

P. Luff, Introduction. R. Wooffitt, On the Analysis of Interaction: An Introduction to Conversation Analysis. H. Robinson, Towards a Sociology of Human*b1Computer Interaction: A Software Engineer's Perspective. M. Norman and P. Thomas, The Very Idea: Informing HCI Design from Conversation Analysis. G. Button, Going Up a Blind Alley: Conflating Conversation Analysis and Computational Modelling. P. McIlvenny, Communicative Action and Computers: Re-Embodying Conversation Analysis? D. Good, Repair and Cooperation in Conversation. P. Raudaskoski, Repair Work in Human*b1Computer Interaction: A Conversation Analytic Perspective. A. Finkelstein and H. Fuks, Conversation Analysis and Specification. D. Frohlich and P. Luff, Applying the Technology of Conversation to the Technology for Conversation. A. Cawsey, A Computational Model of Explanatory Discourse: Local Interactions in a Plan-Based Explanation. N. Gilbert, R. Wooffitt, and N. Fraser, Organising Computer Talk. Notes on Transcription Conventions.References. Index.