Cis 524 Case Study 1 User Interface Paper
Case Study 1: User Interfaces
Veronica Hocutt
Strayer University
Dr. Gideon U. Nwatu
CIS 524
October 16, 2014
Abstract
In this paper we will analyze the importance of user interface design and how the significant the interface presents itself in our everyday lives. Some of the most basic daily tasks can be accomplished by using at least one type of interface. The most basic purpose of a user interface is needed to communicate with machines. The three most common types of an interface are: touch sensitive interface, menu interface and graphical user interface. Some of the most basic transactions can be conducted through an interface. For example, using a smart phone, laptop, and using an ATM machine are common ways a person …show more content…
interacts with user interfaces. Writing this case study will be accomplished through the use of an interface. Each interface mentioned above will be discussed and compared with Mandel’s five golden rules.
User Interfaces
Describe three (3) interfaces you interact with on a daily basis. Three interfaces that I interact with on a daily basis are: touch sensitive interfaces, menu interfaces and graphical user interfaces. Smart phones, some personal computers and laptops are equipped with touch sensitive interfaces. Touch sensitive interfaces are my favorite as they are the easiest to use and interact with. The touch sensitive interface works by detecting pressure and translating it into given instructions. I have a smart phone and a desktop computer with touch sensitive interfaces, which I use on a daily basis. ATM machines and credit/debit Cashpoint machines such as ATMs have touch sensitive Actually I am using it right now to write my paper. Furthermore cashpoint machines like ATMs have touch sensitive screens. I tend to use these machines quite often as well. Menu Interface is my second favorite interface. If it’s designed well, menu interfaces should be self-explanatory. I would take my cell phone, computer and ATM as an example as well. They are designed on the same principle. They have menu which offers user a choice. After choice is made, user is lead to another menu, where he needs to make another choice and so on. Graphical User Interface or commonly known as GUI or WIMP is the most usable type of interface today. WIMP stands for Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointing devices. GUI users use pictures, graphics and icons to interact with the computer. Majority modern operating systems have at least one type of GUI. I use this interface as well to write my paper.
Analyze each interface you identified in Question one (1) and assess how it adheres to Mandel’s five (5) golden rules
Mandel’s Golden Rules are divided into three groups: Place Users in Control, Reduce Users’ Memory Load, Make the Interface Consistent ( Mandel, 1997). Each of these groups contains a number of specific rules. The rules (and a keyword for each rule) for each group are: Place Users in Control
Use modes judiciously (modeless)
Allow users to use either the keyboard or mouse (flexible)
Allow users to change focus (interruptible)
Display descriptive messages and text (Helpful)
Provide immediate and reversible actions, and feedback (forgiving) Provide meaningful paths and exits (navigable)
Accommodate users with different skill levels (accessible)
Make the user interface transparent (facilitative)
Allow users to customize the interface (preferences)
Allow users to directly manipulate interface objects (interactive) Reduce Users’ Memory Load
Relieve short-term memory (remember)
Rely on recognition, not recall (recognition)
Provide visual cues (inform)
Provide defaults, undo, and redo (forgiving)
Provide interface shortcuts (frequency)
Promote object-action syntax (intuitive)
Use real-world metaphors (transfer)
User progressive disclosure (context)
Promote visual clarity (organize)
Make the Interface Consistent
Sustain the context of users’ tasks (continuity)
Maintain consistency within and across products (experience) Keep interaction results the same (expectations)
Provide aesthetic appeal and integrity (attitude)
Encourage exploration (predictable) ( Mandel, 1997)
Touch sensitive interface as I already mentioned above is an interface that works when certain device detects a pressure and translates it into given instruction. It is easy to use; user does not need to be an expert to operate it. The big advantage is that in most cases touch sensitive interface is designed so user can see all available options. TSI can be adapted for variety of uses. For example touch screen mobile devices, such as cell phones or laptops, even desktop computers can be founded with touch screen interface. Menu interface is extremely easy to use, because there is no there are no commands to learn or remember and it can even represent spoken interface. Unlike the graphical user interface menu interface does not require huge amounts of processing power or memory (Bezroukov). Graphical user interface is easy to use, especially for a beginner, because user does not need to remember all complicated commands. User has visual help- pictures, graphics and icons. Suggest two (2) changes for each interface to achieve a more user-friendly design and justify your suggestion
The biggest disadvantage of the touch sensitive interface is that touchscreens are sensitive to scratches and dirt.
That means if screen becomes damaged it can be difficult to see the available options. Also user could have difficulties choosing the right option, because potential damage on the screen won’t allow the device to detect a given instruction. The second disadvantage is that touch sensitive interface can offer only limited options. Menu interface is very easy to use. In most cases anyone can work out what to do, even someone who has never seen the interface before. Regardless I found one thing inconvenient. It depends how menu interface is designed, but in most cases user can 't go to the desired place immediately. User has to go step by step through the menu screens to reach his final destination. If it takes too long user can get annoyed or bored. The second think that needs to be taken in consideration is the fact that many can take over a big part of the screen, which can make confusion when user tries to go back and forward between applications. As regards to the graphical user interface which can be considers as the simplest known interface. But that’s just an illusion from the outside. The truth is that GUI use more processing power and needs significantly more memory to run than other types of interface. Users often find GUI takes up a much more of hard disk space than other
interfaces.
Appendix
Provide three (3) screen shots for each interface
Touch Sensitive Interface
For touch sensitive interface is a little bit hard to take a screen shot, but on the first image I took a picture how I type on a keyboard. The second picture shows how I navigate to the desktop.
Menu Interface
Graphical User Interface
References:
Anonymous (n/a). Retrieved from http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/features/oci/index.html Bezroukov, N. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/gui_vs_command_line.shtml Mandel, T. (1997). The golden rules of user interface design. Retrieved from http://theomandel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Mandel-GoldenRules.pdf
http://booksite.elsevier.com/9780120884360/casestudies/Chapter_01.pdf
Veronica Hocutt
Strayer University
Dr. Gideon U. Nwatu
CIS 524
October 16, 2014
Abstract
In this paper we will analyze the importance of user interface design and how the significant the interface presents itself in our everyday lives. Some of the most basic daily tasks can be accomplished by using at least one type of interface. The most basic purpose of a user interface is needed to communicate with machines. The three most common types of an interface are: touch sensitive interface, menu interface and graphical user interface. Some of the most basic transactions can be conducted through an interface. For example, using a smart phone, laptop, and using an ATM machine are common ways a person …show more content…
interacts with user interfaces. Writing this case study will be accomplished through the use of an interface. Each interface mentioned above will be discussed and compared with Mandel’s five golden rules.
User Interfaces
Describe three (3) interfaces you interact with on a daily basis. Three interfaces that I interact with on a daily basis are: touch sensitive interfaces, menu interfaces and graphical user interfaces. Smart phones, some personal computers and laptops are equipped with touch sensitive interfaces. Touch sensitive interfaces are my favorite as they are the easiest to use and interact with. The touch sensitive interface works by detecting pressure and translating it into given instructions. I have a smart phone and a desktop computer with touch sensitive interfaces, which I use on a daily basis. ATM machines and credit/debit Cashpoint machines such as ATMs have touch sensitive Actually I am using it right now to write my paper. Furthermore cashpoint machines like ATMs have touch sensitive screens. I tend to use these machines quite often as well. Menu Interface is my second favorite interface. If it’s designed well, menu interfaces should be self-explanatory. I would take my cell phone, computer and ATM as an example as well. They are designed on the same principle. They have menu which offers user a choice. After choice is made, user is lead to another menu, where he needs to make another choice and so on. Graphical User Interface or commonly known as GUI or WIMP is the most usable type of interface today. WIMP stands for Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointing devices. GUI users use pictures, graphics and icons to interact with the computer. Majority modern operating systems have at least one type of GUI. I use this interface as well to write my paper.
Analyze each interface you identified in Question one (1) and assess how it adheres to Mandel’s five (5) golden rules
Mandel’s Golden Rules are divided into three groups: Place Users in Control, Reduce Users’ Memory Load, Make the Interface Consistent ( Mandel, 1997). Each of these groups contains a number of specific rules. The rules (and a keyword for each rule) for each group are: Place Users in Control
Use modes judiciously (modeless)
Allow users to use either the keyboard or mouse (flexible)
Allow users to change focus (interruptible)
Display descriptive messages and text (Helpful)
Provide immediate and reversible actions, and feedback (forgiving) Provide meaningful paths and exits (navigable)
Accommodate users with different skill levels (accessible)
Make the user interface transparent (facilitative)
Allow users to customize the interface (preferences)
Allow users to directly manipulate interface objects (interactive) Reduce Users’ Memory Load
Relieve short-term memory (remember)
Rely on recognition, not recall (recognition)
Provide visual cues (inform)
Provide defaults, undo, and redo (forgiving)
Provide interface shortcuts (frequency)
Promote object-action syntax (intuitive)
Use real-world metaphors (transfer)
User progressive disclosure (context)
Promote visual clarity (organize)
Make the Interface Consistent
Sustain the context of users’ tasks (continuity)
Maintain consistency within and across products (experience) Keep interaction results the same (expectations)
Provide aesthetic appeal and integrity (attitude)
Encourage exploration (predictable) ( Mandel, 1997)
Touch sensitive interface as I already mentioned above is an interface that works when certain device detects a pressure and translates it into given instruction. It is easy to use; user does not need to be an expert to operate it. The big advantage is that in most cases touch sensitive interface is designed so user can see all available options. TSI can be adapted for variety of uses. For example touch screen mobile devices, such as cell phones or laptops, even desktop computers can be founded with touch screen interface. Menu interface is extremely easy to use, because there is no there are no commands to learn or remember and it can even represent spoken interface. Unlike the graphical user interface menu interface does not require huge amounts of processing power or memory (Bezroukov). Graphical user interface is easy to use, especially for a beginner, because user does not need to remember all complicated commands. User has visual help- pictures, graphics and icons. Suggest two (2) changes for each interface to achieve a more user-friendly design and justify your suggestion
The biggest disadvantage of the touch sensitive interface is that touchscreens are sensitive to scratches and dirt.
That means if screen becomes damaged it can be difficult to see the available options. Also user could have difficulties choosing the right option, because potential damage on the screen won’t allow the device to detect a given instruction. The second disadvantage is that touch sensitive interface can offer only limited options. Menu interface is very easy to use. In most cases anyone can work out what to do, even someone who has never seen the interface before. Regardless I found one thing inconvenient. It depends how menu interface is designed, but in most cases user can 't go to the desired place immediately. User has to go step by step through the menu screens to reach his final destination. If it takes too long user can get annoyed or bored. The second think that needs to be taken in consideration is the fact that many can take over a big part of the screen, which can make confusion when user tries to go back and forward between applications. As regards to the graphical user interface which can be considers as the simplest known interface. But that’s just an illusion from the outside. The truth is that GUI use more processing power and needs significantly more memory to run than other types of interface. Users often find GUI takes up a much more of hard disk space than other
interfaces.
Appendix
Provide three (3) screen shots for each interface
Touch Sensitive Interface
For touch sensitive interface is a little bit hard to take a screen shot, but on the first image I took a picture how I type on a keyboard. The second picture shows how I navigate to the desktop.
Menu Interface
Graphical User Interface
References:
Anonymous (n/a). Retrieved from http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/features/oci/index.html Bezroukov, N. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/gui_vs_command_line.shtml Mandel, T. (1997). The golden rules of user interface design. Retrieved from http://theomandel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Mandel-GoldenRules.pdf
http://booksite.elsevier.com/9780120884360/casestudies/Chapter_01.pdf