NPUC 1999 Speakers

David Liddle

Interval Research

Computing, Research and Consumers

Abstract:

The increasing use of information technology by consumers has largely occurred by the substitution of digital technology into the traditional analog entertainment products (making them faster, better, or cheaper), or by the extension of business products (like PCs and fax machines) to include home use. Although the direct study of consumers and their preferences, priorities, and behavior has been very highly developed in the mature consumer industries, little research has been done to understand the future opportunities for IT in the home and for individuals in the phases of life outside the office.

This talk will describe some methodologies and findings from such studies conducted by Interval Research since 1993, and suggest some approaches to using these data to influence research and development in companies large and small.

Brief Biography:

Mr. Liddle is President and CEO of Interval Research, and has spent his professional career developing technologies for interaction and communication between people and computers, in activities spanning research, development, management, and entrepreneurship. First, he spent ten years at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and the Xerox Information Products Group where he was responsible for the first commercial implementation of the Graphical User Interface and local area networking. He then founded Metaphor Computer Systems.