Cognitive Science

Final / 2006

Modified: 2006-05-02


Instructions: Return completed test no later than 3:00 p.m., Thursday, 2006-05-11.

Use the CS main page, pages you find on your own, and e-mail sent to you as the source for your answers. To avoid problems, submit your answers as hard copy only.

Answers should be legible (i.e., not hand written), complete, thoughtful, and articulate. You may consult with me via e-mail twice as you develop your answers (probably a good strategy). Shoot for at least one page per question and do not simply copy and paste answers. Use quotes to indicate sources you found elsewhere and provide URLs or references where appropriate. Failure to properly cite sources may lead to a grade of zero for that item! Be sure to use quotation marks where appropriate.


1. Pick an interaction device. Describe how it works and how users use it to interact with a computer. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the device?


2. What is an agent? Look at the MIT Media Lab page on agents (on our Web page). Pick one of their agents and describe it.


3. Should governments be able to limit user's level of encryption? Why or why not? Defend your answer.


4. Describe how the eBay Web site is set up and comment on its usability. What, if anything, surprised you about our in class eBay transaction?


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