1. Lecture 7 Date: 23rd February
Interaction Styles
Lecture 7
Date: 23rd February

2. Overview of Lecture Interaction style definition
Major interaction styles
Direct manipulation
Menu Selections, form fillin & dialog boxes
Command Languages

3. Interaction Styles
Interaction is the dialogue between the computer and the user
Interaction styles refer to the ways in which users communicate or interact with computer systems

4. Graphical Screens
The most common interface that users are exposed to today is the Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Graphic presentation utilises the users information processing capabilities much more effectively than other presentation methods
It permits faster transfer of information to the user by allowing visual comparisons of various information
It permits more compact representation of information and simplification of the perception of structures

5. Graphical Screens
Graphical screens increase the potential for great visual clutter and user confusion because of its variety and complexity
The number of available components in a graphical environment greatly outnumbers those of a textual screen

6. Graphical Screens
WIMPs (Windows, Icons, Menu, Pointers) is central to the concept of GUIs
Window is a means of sharing a computer’s graphical display resources among multiple applications simultaneously
Icon is an image or symbol used to represent a file, folder, application or device
Menu is a list of command/options which the user can choose
Pointer is a pointing device such as a mouse

7. Elements of the WIMP interface
Graphical Screens
Elements of the WIMP interface

8. Interaction Styles Direct Manipulation Menu Selection Form Fillin
Dialog Boxes
Command Languages

9. Interaction Styles Direct Manipulation Menu Selection Form Fillin
Dialog Boxes
Command Languages

10. Direct Manipulation
A direct manipulation interface is one where graphical objects on the screen are directly manipulated with a pointing device.
User actions involve dragging, selecting, opening, closing and zooming actions on virtual actions
WIMPs is central to the concept of direct manipulation.
Direct Manipulation

11. Direct Manipulation Advantages Intuitive, easy to learn and remember.
Reduces errors as minimal syntax required.
Allows rapid actions, and reversals.
Enjoyable and encourages exploration by immediate feedback and evaluation.
Users experience less anxiety, sense of confidence and control.
Direct Manipulation

12. Direct Manipulation Disadvantages
More difficult to program (especially error handling).
High resource usage – e.g. memory and CPU
Requirement for lots of screen space may be cumbersome e.g. need to scroll.
Pointing may be slower than typing.
Visual representation may mislead:
Not all objects and tasks can be described visually; and
not all actions can be done by direct object manipulation.
May increase difficulties for visually impaired.
Direct Manipulation

13. Direct Manipulation Examples of direct manipulation:
Word Processors/Display Editors e.g., Microsoft Word
Spreadsheets e.g., Microsoft Excel
Spatial Data Management e.g., ArcView
Video games
Computer-Aided Design
Office automation e.g., Microsoft Windows
Direct Manipulation

14. Word Processors/Display Editors
Training times with display editors are much less than line editors
Line editors are generally more flexible and powerful
The advances of WYSIWYG word processors:
Display a full page of text
Display of the document in the form that it will appear when the final printing is done
Show cursor action
Control cursor motion through physically obvious and intuitively natural means
Use of labeled icon for actions
Display of the results of an action immediately
Provide rapid response and display
Offer easily reversible actions
Direct Manipulation

15. Word Processors/Display Editors
Technologies that derive from the word processor:
Integration
Desktop publication software
Slide-presentation software
Hypermedia environments
Improved macro facilities
Spell checker and thesaurus
Grammar checkers
Direct Manipulation

16. Word Processors/Display Editors
Direct Manipulation

17. Spreadsheets Technologies that derive from the word processor:
Integration
Desktop publication software
Slide-presentation software
Hypermedia environments
Improved macro facilities
Spell checker and thesaurus
Grammar checkers
Direct Manipulation

18. Spatial Data Management
In some cases, spatial representations provide a better model of reality
Successful spatial data-management systems depend on choosing appropriate:
Icons
Graphical representations
Natural and comprehensible data layouts
Direct Manipulation

19. Spatial Data Management
Direct Manipulation

20. Video Games
From PONG to Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Xbox
Field of action is visual and compelling
Commands are physical actions whose results are immediately shown on the screen
No syntax to remember
Most games continuously display a score
Direct manipulation in SimCity
Most well received
DOOM and Quake controversial
Direct Manipulation

21. Computer Aided Design Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design (CAD) use direct manipulation
Manipulate the object of interest
Generate alternatives easily
Explain the impact
Problem solving by analogy to the real-world
Direct Manipulation

22. Computer Aided Design
Direct Manipulation

23. Summary of Lecture
Interaction styles refer to the ways in which users communicate or interact with computer systems
Direct Manipulation
Word Processors/Display Editors
Spreadsheets
Spatial Data Management
Video games
Computer-Aided Design
Menu Selection
Command Languages
References

24. Terms of Reference
Shneiderman, B. & Plaisant, C. (2005) Designing the User Interface
Preece, J. et al. (2002) Interaction Design
Benyon, D. et al (2005) Designing Interactive Systems
Helander, M. et al (1997) Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction
Norman, D. (1990) The Design of Everyday Things
References