Abstract: A system is provided for collecting subjective data from a user of a computer or computer terminals. A user performing a task on his or her computer or terminal is polled, by: interrupting the task being performed; a banner appears on the screen of the display terminal with the selectable option of continuing with the interruption or returning immediately to the interrupted task. If a user selects to continue with the interruption, one or more questions, having selectable responses is presented to the user. After responding to the questions, the responses are stored on disk, and the user returns to the task that was interrupted. In real-time or after a period of days, weeks or months, the data is collected from the hard disk or system memory and is analyzed. The analyzed data is then used to control a process. In one example, the questions asked relate to a user's thermal comfort, and the data collected and analyzed is used to control a heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A portable map holder comprises a substantially rigid elongate sleeve member having an open end through which a folded map can be inserted. The sleeve has a top wall made of transparent material to expose a map inserted therein. A transparent cursor is mounted on the sleeve for slidable movement therealong over the transparent top wall. The cursor incorporates a lens for magnifying inscriptions on a map inserted in the sleeve and visible through the top wall.