Abstract
The fuzzy structural Modeling (FSM) method, which is a technique to arrange elements in a hierarchy by applying the fuzzy theory to the data obtained from paired comparisons, has been developed. In order to elucidate the structure of the usability for operating systems. we proposed to use the FSM method. In two questionnaire surveys, the subjects were asked to compare two items, which describe the problems in operating the operating systems, according to the importance for the usability. The results from the FSM method showed that Microsoft Windows for personal computers and UNIX for work-stations had different structures of the usability. These results indicated that the FSM method would provide useful information for the usability of computer systems.
