Are toolkits expert systems?
From the discussion of earlier drafts of this paper, it became clear just how closely toolkits were related to expert systems. The close relationship arises from the shared aim of both types of resource to encapsulate methods and theory within a software tool. In addition, it is recognised that both types of resource embodies “claims” about the world that can be reverse-engineered through claims analysis. What, then, is it that makes it appropriate to differentiate between these types of intelligent design aids? Toolkits and expert systems differ in four important respects. Firstly, unlike most expert systems, the emphasis with a toolkit is not on providing answers or knowledge in response to a query. Instead, the focus is on modelling the user’s practice. The creation and analysis of these models then forms the basis for the creation of plans, knowledge and understanding that is directly related to the user’s context and cultural practices. (Importantly, the modelling of practice here
