Research focusing on handheld devices.

Byline: Dan Gillmor

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ As human-computer interactions go, my relationship with my wristwatch is reasonably amicable. I glance at it, and immediately know the time, date and day of the week.

I've learned how to adjust the hour for time zones, but other functions remain somewhat mysterious. Changing the date or day of the week tends to be trial and error _ mostly error.

This is the sort of issue that captivates the professionals in a field known as human-computer interaction. Many of them were in Fort Lauderdale this week at the biggest annual conference on the subject. The gathering is weighted toward academics and corporate ...