Case Study 1: User Interfaces

USER INTERFACES 1

Case Study 1: User Interfaces

CIS 524 & Computer Interaction and Design

Week 2 Case Study 1

USER INTERFACES 2

Describe three (3) interfaces you interact with on a daily basis.

User interface is defined as a computer program that people use to control program in computer science, and human-computer interaction. Users can control the program through a sequence of controls such as keystrokes from the keyboard, moving the computer mouse or by simply touching the screen. Users interfaces are graphical, textual, and auditory information that provides the user with information for accessing the program. User interfaces exist in several types such as Command-Line Interface where users have to type command to perform tasks, and Graphical User Interface where users can use the computer mouse to click on pictures or images rather than typing words.

I use Microsoft windows 8 operating system in my personal computer on a daily basis to access software like outlook, and Microsoft office 365 to perform my daily routine. I am also using Apple IOS 10.3.1 operating system for IPhone. At last, I have QNX as a real-time operating system for interacting with my car. QNX was first developed in Canada, and it offers software that can operate the entire car. QNX allows the car industry to overcome challenges by providing flexible solutions that meet advanced capabilities in order to reach the market quick, and on budget. IOS for mobile phones were developed by Apple in 2007, and it is only run in Apple made devices such as Iphone, Ipad, and Ipod. IOS uses graphical User Interface, and IOS is designed on a touchscreen based model (TechTerms, 2011). Windows is developed by Microsoft, and it is used as the standard for home and business computers around the world. Microsoft windows is based on a Graphical User interfacethat was published in 1985 and it has several versions on the market since its introduction to the market (Margaret, 2014).

USER INTERFACES 3

Analyze each interface you identified in Question one (1) and assess how it adheres to Mandel’s five (5) golden rules.

When it comes to design user interfaces, there are rules and principles that must be applied to the process in order to meet users’ satisfaction, and to create a successful software. Mandel has provided five golden rules for designing interfaces for users. First rule consists of placing users in control by using modes, providing options such as keyboard or mouse usage, allowing users to change their focus, and allowing users to control directly interface objects. Next rule is the reduction of users’ memory load by promoting visual clarity, providing visual clues, allowing users to undo, redo, and having defaults. Designers need to make interface consistent by sustaining users’ context, by keeping user results for interaction the same, by providing integrity, and making the software predictable (Mandel, 2011).The three interfaces that I am using everyday were designed in a way that allow me to be in control of the software. Apple, Microsoft, and QNX were able to observe the behaviors of the users and to implement features that will facilitate users in the usage of their software. User interfaces like IOS 10, and QNX is designed to help users remembering information located in short term memory because designers of these programs have taken into consideration that the weak human capacity of storing and remembering information by integrating memory that prevents users from having to think a lot utilizing these above interfaces. At last, user interfaces that I used for performing my daily tasks have provided me with consistency for continuity of usability by offering great appealing and good integrity, as well as great images every time the software are in use.

USER INTERFACES 4

Suggest two (2) changes for each interface to achieve a more user-friendly design and justify your suggestion.

Microsoft Windows 8 can achieve a more user-friendly design if the designers can add features that alter the start screen in a way that Users can easily change the tiles position and size by only holding them down. This new feature will prevent users from swiping and launch applications by accident. Next suggestion that I can make about Microsoft Windows 8 in making the software more user-friendly is to allow users to control snapped applications in a greater way. Users should be able to change the percentage of the appearance of a application that will occupy as much screen that the user desired (Tom, 2013). For IOS 10 in mobile phone, I would suggest that the designers will use animation and motion effects wisely. People can disconnect from excessive use of animation in application that has little provision of immersive experience. Although animation effects can increase comprehension and enjoyment, but people are looking for realism and credibility in products. Products have to be designed to accommodate real life and to abide to the laws of physics. Navigation bars must be translucent, and they need to have background tint, and users have to be able to configure background appropriately. For example, hiding the keyboard from the screen, or reducing its size when needed (Apple Developer).The two suggestions that can make for car OS such as QNX which is the leader in technology in the car industry should provide 3-D graphics, video, voice recognition as standard features in today’s car. Next suggestion for QNX operating system must offer possibility that users can update their software without intervention of the manufacturers or the dealers like you can download updates

USER INTERFACE 5

for IOS and Microsoft Windows operating system (Erlangen, 2011).

As you can see, technology is embedded in everything that people use to perform daily activities. From personal computers to your fridge, technology such as operating system allow users to interface with devices. Mobile phones, laptops, and cars are using operating system, and developers must create better software that will make user interfaces friendlier. Your mobile phones have alarms that wake you up every morning so you can set up by navigating through features. Your cars have features that automatically break to prevent you from colliding to objects or to other cars in the road.

USER INTERFACES 6

Microsoft Windows 8

USER INTERFACES 7

IOS 10 For IPhone

USER INTERFACE 8

QNX OS

USER INTERFACE 9

References:

Tom, W. (2013). Windows 8.1: A first look at what Microsoft is changing. The Verge. Retrieved from http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/26/4465888/windows-8-1-preview-video.

Margaret, R. (2014). Microsoft Windows. TechTarget. Retrieved from http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/definition/Windows.

Rastplatznotizen. (2011). Mandel: The Golden rules of interface design. Retrieved from https://twobenches.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/mandel-the-golden-rules-of-interface-design/.

Tech Terms. (2011). IOS. Retrieved from https://techterms.com/definition/ios.

Apple developer. (n.d.). IOS Human Interface Guidelines. Retrieved from https://developer.apple.com/ios/human-interface-guidelines/overview/interface-essentials.