The Handy Text Retrieval System developed by the researchers in
Academia Sinica has been the first Chinese full text retrieval system that
conveys Chinese historical records. This paper reports an empirical study on its
use and users and particularly user interaction with the system. The research
questions include (1) how is the user's behavior during the process of
information retrieval ﹖ (2) how do the users satisfy with the system ﹖ (3)
what causes the users' dissatisfaction and what the users' expectations of the
system are ﹖ The methods applied include observation, interview, and
questionnaires. Users' behavior as well as their difficulties and satisfaction
interacting with the system is reported. Suggestions for the users, systemuse
instructors, system designers and librarians are then followed.