Abstract
This paper introduces the concept of multiple model description platforms for comparing and positioning characteristics of interactive systems. Typical operation patterns of cellu1ar phones and PDAs are represented in the platform in order to compare operation patterns of infromation appliances that reflect users' know1edge and experiences related with cu1tural factors of user's groups. The typical operation pattern of a cellular phone has shifted from numerical key operation to function key operation as it incorporated personal information functions. The analysis of these operation patterns using the proposed comparison platform revealed that users develop expectations on the operation pattern of a new product based on the knowledge and skills accumulated through their experience with a familiar product architype that signifies the cultural group they belong to.
