SEAS Frequently Asked Questions
SEAS Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't find the answer to your question here, try How To.
Why can't I find an argument or template that another user created?
- You only have access to those arguments and templates that list you, or a group to which you belong, as either a member of their audience or as an author. To gain access, you will need to ask one of the authors to add you, or a group to which you belong, as a member of the audience or as an author. Everyone is a member of the group named World. (see Publishing)
- Only those arguments and templates that match the current parameter settings of the SEAS Object Manager are visible in it. These parameter settings are summarized immediately below the SEAS Object Manager toolbar. To change these settings, push the parameter button in the toolbar. (see Manager)
Why can't I modify the argument or template that I am viewing?
- If this argument or template has been published, then it cannot be modified by anyone. If the argument or template is unpublished, then only its authors can modify it. In this case, you could ask one of the authors to add you as a coauthor, giving you write privileges. In either case, you can make a copy of the argument or template; you will be the author of the copy with write privileges. If you want to be able to modify both an argument and its underlying template, then you can individually copy the argument and template, then substitute the new template for the old one underlying the new argument (when viewing an argument the template "T" button will take you to its underlying template; when viewing an argument the information button in the auxiliary toolbar will bring up a window where you can substitute the underlying template). (see Publishing)
- The answer to a question in an argument cannot be manually changed if an automated fusion method has been selected to answer the question based upon the evidence. If you wish to override an automatically calculated answer, first change the fusion method to "Manual", then you will be able to change the answer. (see Uni. Arg. Primitive Question)
Why did my modifications to an argument or template disappear?
- Several of the editing windows have an ok button. When an ok button is present, you must push it for your modifications to be made.
What does it mean when multiple lights are on corresponding to a single question?
- When users answer multiple choice questions, they have the option of selecting multiple (adjacent) answers. When a user has insufficient information to identify a single correct answer, they properly select all of the answers that might apply (i.e., they select all of the answers except for those that they know to be incorrect). The selection of multiple answers to a primitive question, sometimes leads to multiple lights at derivative questions, reflecting the fact that limited knowledge about the answer to a primitive question sometimes leads to limited knowledge about the answer to a derivative question.
Why can't I select all of the multiple choice answers as the answer to a question?
- Since the multiple choice answers are meant to span all possibilities, selecting all of the answers is equivalent to having selected no answers. That is, it is a prerequisite that each of the multiple choice answers might be the correct answer; selecting all of the answers would simply be a restatement of this condition, imparting no new information.
What do the red flags signify?
- The red signal flags signify that something is in need of the user's attention. In particular, exhibits and evidence attached to primitive questions may be flagged to indicate that the user should examine these to determine their relevance to answering the associated question. For example, if a SEAS uni-dimensional argument is the basis for a piece of evidence and that argument's conclusion changes, then the signal flag on that evidence will be raised to signal that this evidence should be reassessed, unless an automated fusion method is in use. A signal flag appearing adjacent to a derivative question indicates that one of the primitive questions on which it depends has a flagged exhibit or evidence; these are used to aid the user in navigating to those entities requiring attention.
How do I remove/add the red signal flags?
- In the Hierarchical Viewer, navigate down to the primitive questions where the flagged exhibits or evidence are found. Click on the signal flags and they will disappear.
- In the Hierarchical Viewer, navigate down to the primitive questions where the exhibits or evidence to be flagged are found. Push the Edit button adjacent to them and then select the Display flag option followed by pushing the ok button. (see Uni. Arg. Primitive Question)
Why can't I publish an argument or template?
- Unpublished arguments or templates can only be published by their authors. Further, an unpublished argument can only be published if the template on which it is based and all of the associated exhibits and evidence are either published or publishable by the user (i.e., the user is an author). A multi-dimensional argument or template can only be published by a user if the component arguments or templates are published or publishable by that user. (see Publishing)
How do I view or change the publication information associated with an argument or template?
- Many of the viewers include a publication information button. Pushing this button will reveal the publication information. If the user is an author, then they will be able to modify the publication information. (see Publication Information)
How do I publish an argument or template?
- Push the publication information button located in the toolbar of a viewer that is displaying the argument or template to be published. This will bring up the publication viewer/editor, displaying the publication information for this argument or template; it includes a publish button in its toolbar. If the user is an author, then pushing the publish button will cause the associated argument and/or template to be published. (see Publication Information)
Why can't I delete a given argument or template?
- If an argument or template is published, it cannot be deleted. An unpublished argument or template can only be deleted by one of its authors. (see Publishing)
What is the difference between being an author or a member of the audience for an argument or template?
- Once an argument or template is published, both its authors and members of its audience can view it, but not modify it. An unpublished argument or template can be both viewed and modified by its authors, while members of its audience can view it, but not modify it. (see Publishing)
How do I set up another user as a coauthor of my argument or template?
- If you are an author of the argument or template, push the Publication Information button in the argument or template viewer and add the other user to the list of authors or add the name of a group of users that includes the intended coauthor. If you are not an author, you will need to ask one of the authors to add you as a coauthor. (see Publication Information)
What is the purpose of the situation descriptor associated with an argument or template?
- The situation descriptor associated with a template indicates the types of situations for which that template was intended to be used. The situation descriptor associated with an argument describes the situation for which the argument was created. The information in particularly useful when querying corporate memory to aid in finding relevant templates and related arguments. (see Situation Information)
How do I view or change the situation information associated with an argument or template?
- Many of the viewers include a Situation Information button. Pushing this button will reveal the situation information. If the user is an author, then they will be able to modify the situation information. (see Situation Information)
How do I create an argument?
- You can create an argument from the SEAS Object Manager by pushing the new button, indicating that it is an argument that you wish to create, identifying a template on which to base the new argument, and entering a unique name for the new argument. Note that you can only build arguments on top of argument templates to which you have access (i.e., you must be included as a member of the template's audience or as one of its authors). Initially, you will be the sole author of the new argument and it will have no audience. (see How To)
- Alternatively, you can create an argument by copying one. To create an argument by copying, find an argument using the SEAS Object Manager, select it by clicking on it in the window where found objects are listed, push the copy button, and enter a unique name for the new argument when asked. Initially, you will be the sole author of the new argument and it will have no audience. (see How To)
How do I create a template?
- You can create a template from the SEAS Object Manager by pushing the new button, indicating that it is a template that you wish to create and entering a unique name for the new template, along with the other requested parameters. Initially, you will be the sole author of the new template and it will have no audience. (see How To)
- Alternatively, you can create a template by copying one. To create a template by copying, find a template using the SEAS Object Manager, select it by clicking on it in the window where found objects are listed, push the copy button, and enter a unique name for the new template when asked. Initially, you will be the sole author of the new template and it will have no audience. (see How To)
How do I add an exhibit or evidence to an argument?
- Exhibits are added by clicking on the Exhibit In-Basket in the hierarchical viewer and entering the information that identifies the exhibit and indicating how it is to be cited. To add evidence, first add it as an exhibit and then promote it to being evidence by pushing the Promote button adjacent to it in the hierarchical viewer and entering its relevance. (see Uni. Arg. Primitive Question)
How do I remove an exhibit or evidence from an argument?
- To remove an exhibit, push the Trash button adjacent to it in the hierarchical viewer. To remove evidence, first push the Demote button adjacent to it in the hierarchical viewer, transforming it into an exhibit, and then push the Trash button adjacent to that exhibit. (see Uni. Arg. Primitive Question)
How do I add a component template to a multi-dimensional template?
- Find and open the multi-dimensional template using the SEAS Object Manager. Then, in the Hierarchical Viewer, click on the Template Stapler and identify the component argument to be added. (see How To)
How do I replace a component argument in a multi-dimensional argument?
- Find and open the multi-dimensional argument using the SEAS Object Manager. Then, in the Hierarchical Viewer, click on the Edit button adjacent to the component argument that is to be replaced and identify another argument with the same underlying template. (see Multi. Arg.)
How do I turn the tips off and on?
- In the SEAS Object Manager, push the Personal Information button and select the No option for Show Tips.
If you didn't find the answer to your question here, try How To.
SEAS and High SEAS 7.1 - Patent Pending and Unpublished Copyright © 1998-2007, SRI International
