Lec4n Human-Computer Interaction.

Lecture 4
Topic: Human-computer
interaction.
Purposes:
Distinguish between various types of human-

computer interaction. List and briefly
describe 4 user interface types.
Lecture Plan
•Principles and Methodology of

human-computer interaction
•User interface.
•The quality of the user interface.

The term Human-
computer
interaction
HCI is defined as the study, planning and
design of the interaction between people
(users) and computers. It is also referred
to as the intersection of computer
science, behavioral sciences, design and
several other fields of study. Interaction
between users and computers takes
place at the user interface which
includes both software and hardware
The Goal of HCI
Usability
 People are trying to accomplish their tasks
in life. (system independent)
task
person
system
 Introduce a system,
User Interface should maximize their
ability.
Who Cares?
Everyone, because:
1. Everything is a User Interface
2. The User Interface is Everything

Why is it so hard?
Usability is
hard
 People (users) are all different
 People are unpredictable
 Design skill isn’t enough
 Evaluation with users is required
 Designer’s pride
 New ways to think, break out of the
box
Human Computer
Interface?
 HCI is not just about software design
 HCI applies to more than just desktop PCs!!!
 No such thing as “the best HCI”. Choice of

interface will depend on:

Physical environment

Experience of users

Amount of info that needs to be gathered/conveyed
Good Interface Design 1
Users should be able to use an interface:
Tasks can be completed without risk –

SAFELY
e.g. flying an aeroplane.
EFFECTIVELY Being able to do the right task and do it

well – e.g. videoing a TV programme
To carry out tasks quickly and correctly –

EFFICIENTLY e.g. at a cashpoint
Users should be able to enjoy what they

ENJOYABLY are doing, not be frustrated by the
interface – e.g. educational programs
Good Interface Design 2
There are four considerations for an interface designer:
Who is going to use the system, what are

WHO their ages, etc.?
What tasks are they likely to want to

WHAT perform? Repetitive, complex, simple,
etc.
Where is the computer to be used? In a
ENVIRONMENT
hazardous or noisy environment?
What is technologically available? Designers

FEASIBILITY should not add elements to the interface
that cannot actually be used out easily.
User Interfaces – 4 Types
 1. Command Line Interface (CLI)

A CLI displays a prompt, the user types a
command on the keyboard and executes the
command. The computer executes the
command, providing textual output.
 2. Menu Driven Interface


The user has a list of items to choose from,
and can make selections by highlighting one.
User Interfaces – 4 Types
 3. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Uses windows, icons, menus and pointers
(WIMP) which can be manipulated by a mouse
(and often to an extent by a keyboard as well).
 4. Natural Language Interface


Can range from simple command systems to
voice activated text processing. Commands are
spoken in “normal” language.
Interface of 2020
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFQKqfgVeR8
Command Line Interfaces
1
 Advantages
 Very flexible with the use of “switches”
(options)
 Good for “expert”

users - can quickly
access commands
 Uses the fewest

system resources
2
 Disadvantages
 Requires the user to learn “complex”
commands or language
 “Hidden” features i.e. if you don’t know the

commands you wont know the features are
there!
 Not very good for novice users

3
 Command Line Interface
Applications
 System administration
 Engineering applications
 Scientific applications
 Ideal for visually impaired

users!!!
Menu Driven Interfaces 1
 Advantages
 No need to learn complex
commands/language
 Easier for a novice

to learn/use
 Ideal when there are

a limited number of
options (efficient)
 Disadvantages
 Can be frustrating for experienced
users i.e. the command they want to
use is buried 5 levels deep!!!!
 User interface may be limited by

screen space and number of options
available
 Menu Driven Applications
 ATM
 Mobile Phone
 MP3 Player
 Video recorder
 Household Devices
 Digital/Cable TV
Graphical User Interfaces
1
 Most suitable interface
for inexperienced or
novice users but…
 GUIs use more system

resources than other
types of interface
Graphical User Interfaces
2
 Many generic packages for a GUI will
share common features
 Layout of the screen
 Names given to
commands
 Icons
 Order of menus
 Mouse operation
 Dialog boxes
Benefits of a common
interface
There are five advantages to the ‘common user
interface’:
1 Increased speed of learning 2 Ease of use
5 Greater range
3 Confidence for novice users
of software
available to
4 Increase the range of the average
solvable tasks by users computer user
Natural Language
Interfaces 1
 Advantages
 No training required – you just tell the
computer what you want to do!
 Can be quicker than keyboard entry
 Hands-free – could be invaluable in some

environments
 Can be used by the disabled

Natural Language
Interfaces 2
 Disadvantages
 Emerging technology – still contains
“bugs”
 Difficulty dealing with homonyms
 Difficult to recognise all the different ways

of saying things (and regional dialects)
 Artificial languages are often more precise

Questions:
1. Human computer interaction is …
2. Sciences are connected with HCI
3. Types of interface
4. Benefits of a common interface
5. Future interface

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Lecture 4

Distinguish between various types of human-

•Principles and Methodology of

•The quality of the user interface.

2. The User Interface is Everything

 HCI applies to more than just desktop PCs!!!

 No such thing as “the best HCI”. Choice of

Tasks can be completed without risk –

EFFECTIVELY Being able to do the right task and do it

To carry out tasks quickly and correctly –

Users should be able to enjoy what they

Who is going to use the system, what are

What tasks are they likely to want to

What is technologically available? Designers

 2. Menu Driven Interface

 4. Natural Language Interface

 Good for “expert”

 Uses the fewest

 “Hidden” features i.e. if you don’t know the

 Not very good for novice users

 Ideal for visually impaired

 Easier for a novice

 Ideal when there are

 User interface may be limited by

 GUIs use more system

1 Increased speed of learning 2 Ease of use

 Can be quicker than keyboard entry

 Hands-free – could be invaluable in some

 Can be used by the disabled

 Difficulty dealing with homonyms

 Difficult to recognise all the different ways

 Artificial languages are often more precise

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