1. Step-4: Develop System Menus and Navigation Schemes
Lecture-7
Computer Systems Interface

2. Computer Systems Interface
Menus
Listings of choices
If properly designed, assist the user in developing a mental model of the system
Computer Systems Interface

3. Computer Systems Interface
Structures of Menus
Single Menus
Sequential Linear Menus
Simultaneous Menus
Hierarchical or Sequential Menus
Connected Menus
Event-trapping Menus
See p.309 (340)
Computer Systems Interface

4. Computer Systems Interface
Functions of Menus
Navigation to a New Menu
Execute an Action or Procedure
Displaying Information
Data or Parameter Input
Computer Systems Interface

5. Computer Systems Interface
Content of Menus
Menu Context
Verbal linkage
Spatial linkage
Menu Title
Choice Descriptions
Completion Instructions
- Multiple choice
Computer Systems Interface

6. Computer Systems Interface
Formatting of Menus
Display
Location
On demand (except critical ones)
Presentation
- Easy to distinguish
Organization
Minimize number of menu levels (Ex: for Web sites -> two levels)
Never require menus to be scrolled
Computer Systems Interface

7. Computer Systems Interface
Breadth vs. Depth
Advantages & Disadvantages
# levels: 2-3
# choices: 4-8
Conclusion: People found resources faster in, and understood better, broader, shallow menu structures than narrow deep ones.
Effective sub-grouping, and clear labels
Computer Systems Interface

8. Computer Systems Interface
MAXIM
The best journey is the one with the fewest steps.
Computer Systems Interface

9. Formatting of Menus (cont.)
Complexity (Simple & Complex menus)
Item Arrangement
One column if possible
Top-to-bottom
Left-justify descriptions
Ordering
Numeric order
Textual list (seven or less)
Alphabetic (long lists, no obvious pattern)
Maintain consistency
Computer Systems Interface

10. Formatting of Menus (cont.)
Grouping
Meaningful categories
Otherwise (& >8 options), arbitrary visual groupings:
- 4-5 options
- equal size
Separate using:
Wider spacing
A thin ruled line
Computer Systems Interface

11. Formatting of Menus (cont.)
Line Separators
Solid lines (groups)
Dotted or dashed lines (subgroups)
Extended lines (independent groups)
Selection Support Menus
- Adaptive menus (changeable)
90% -> Folded menus
31-89% -> Split menus
Traditional menus
Computer Systems Interface

12. Formatting of Menus (cont.)
Menu Choice Descriptions
- Word as a command to computer. Ex:
Choose one:
Save and exit
Exit without saving
Do you want to save and exit?
Yes No
Computer Systems Interface

13. Computer Systems Interface
Q/A
Compare deep, narrow menu structures to shallow, but broad ones.
Computer Systems Interface