this paper I shall make a case for a dynamic semiotics. I list a set of phenomena that are difficult to understand in standard theories, and suggest a model borrowed from theories of complex dynamic systems. Since such theories rely on processes of self-organization that often defy analytical treatment, I use small computational models for assessing the empirical consequences of the theories.

: Maritime work is dynamical. As the ship sails, conditions change and so do the information needs. If instrumentation is to keep pace with these changing demands, it must be flexible and tailorable. Since, in addition, self-description and verbalization are important ingredients in maritime work, the system too must be able to present its inner state in a comprehensible manner. Keywords: adaptation, maritime instrumentation, work analysis, anthropological research, mulltimedia 1 Introduction This paper reports on ongoing research on maritime instrumentation at the Danish Center for Human Machine Interaction. The maritime domain is a very dynamic one, and this made us re-think basic assumptions in systems design. The paper starts by diagnosing the theoretical problem; Section 3 presents the empirical findings that made the problem visible. Section 4 draws practical consequences of the empirical studies, and Section 5 suggests a set of more radical consequences. 2 System and Usage: C...

.......................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction...........................................................................................................1 1.1 Protocols: HTTP.......................................................................................3 1.2. HTML.......................................................................................................5 1.3. What is WWW - really?.........................................................................9 2. WWW as a self-organizing system.....................................................................13 2.1. The basic concepts.................................................................................14 2.2. Recursion in WWW...............................................................................17 2.3. Attractors in WWW...............................................................................22 2.4. ...

This paper is a sequel to Instrument Semiotics that presents an analysis of multimedia interfaces. In this paper we shall make two points:

The emergence and evolution of human language has been the focus of increasing amounts of research activity in recent years. This increasing interest has been coincident with the increased use of computer simulation, particularly using one or more of the methods and techniques of ‘Artificial Life’, to investigate a wide range of evolutionary problems and questions. There is now a significant body of work that uses such computer simulations to investigate the evolution of language. In this thesis a broad review of work on the evolution of language is presented, showing that language evolution occurs as two distinct evolutionary processes. The ability to use language is clearly the result of biological evolution. But the changes that occur over time to all spoken languages can also be viewed as being part of a process of cultural evolution. In this thesis, work using artificial life models to investigate each of these processes is reviewed. A review of the methods and techniques used in artificial life is also presented early in the work. A novel model is developed which is used to explore the conditions necessary for the

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this paper is that past failures and countermeasures are imbedded in present-day work arrangements, communication, and artifacts. These phenomena are reified versions of past labor (Latour 1994). A synchronic structural analysis must therefore be supplemented with a diachronic narrative analysis of errors and countermeasures.

this paper on this issue: can we use semiotics to understand program texts and program executions as sign processes

This report has two points: (1) present work arrangements and artifacts cannot be understood without an historical account of past failures and countermeasures; therefore the report presents a framework that combines both synchronic and diachronic viewpoints. (2) Cooperation is but one way of solving problems and therefore competes with other solutions, such as changing artifacts, layout and skills. These two points are illustrated with examples from the maritime domain. 1. Introduction A main idea in this report is that past failures and countermeasures are imbedded in present-day work arrangements, communication habits, artifacts, and layout. Artifacts and layout are reified versions of past labor (Latour 1994). A synchronic structural analysis must therefore be supplemented with a diachronic narrative analysis of failures and countermeasures. Consider, for example, the many safety features of automobiles: anti-spin systems allowing for controlled acceleration; ABS insuring contro...

languages die of ‘structuritis’?