The Application of Current User Interface Technology to Interactive Wargaming Systems.

A major problem in the military wargaming arena is the difficulty in understanding and utilizing currently available user interfaces. Users spana broad range in terms of rank, background, technical skill, perspective, and computer literacy. Military workloads and complexity of computer and wargaming systems preclude familiarity with system interfaces. New users are inundated with a variety of obstacles including unfamiliar hardware, cryptic command structures, as well as widely varying wargaming software systems. In most cases in depth training is required before a wargaming session can commence, thus consuming valuable time, resources, and money. This thesis pursues the specific application of the visual interface and windowing to the user interface of wargaming systems of the purpose of improving the utility and usability of these systems to their users and sponsors.