For client query needs that are not extremely complex we have successfully used a combination of option buttons followed by grids with a column to check selection.

For example, A Marketing Prospects application provides the following selections as option groups: 1.)Promotions: All, Specific 2.)Geographic Area: All, USA Only, Non-USA Only 3.) State/Prov: All, Select.

The user can only select one choice from each group, and in some cases the available groups are limited by their initial choices. As they move through the process they may be asked for more information – Choosing “Specific” for promotion brings up a list of their promotions to check off one or more, Choosing “Select” for State/Prov allows them to select form a list of states / provinces ( appropriate to geographic area choice).

Once everything is defined in this human context, the underlying selection process uses the appropriate boolean interpretation – so a human “Texas” AND “California” indicated by their checked list becomes an OR without forcing the client to learn anything to get their task accomplished.

Unfortunately, this approach does not expand well for broader needs.