humanization new

8/3/2019 Humanization New

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The Humanization of

Computer Interfaces : An engineer’s view of an user’s interface

Presented by:Chandralekha Ray(BAM10021)

Monalisa Das(BAM10040)Angikar Borgohain(BAM10032)Mithun Kumar Biswas(BAM10011)



WHAT THE CASE IS ABOUT..??

• The data processing department gave an accountnumber to the engineer.

• Two days later, a terminal was moved into his officeand handed the user's manual to him.



Contd..

•

Soon he started to explore the system and after he hadturned the terminal on, he was asked LOGON.

• Pressing of the "/" key stopped printing in the computer.

• Pressed Return Key ACCESS DENIED.



Contd..

•

6 months later… problem with one his programs ------ woman in the call centre asked him to replace the oldprogram with a new one.

Why can't computer people apply thissame approach to their programs?



User Interfacedefined..

A user interface is the system by which users interact witha machine. The user interface includes hardware (physical)and software (logical) components. User interfaces exist forvarious systems, and provide a means of:

The user interface of a mechanical system, a vehicle or anindustrial installation is sometimes referred to as thehuman – machine interface (HMI).



Why do we need to have a great user interface..??

• The goal of human-machine interaction is to producea user interface which makes it easy, efficient, andenjoyable to operate a machine in the way which

produces the desired result.• It means that the operator needs to provide minimal

input to achieve the desired output, and also that themachine minimizes undesired outputs to the human.



Contd..

• Usability is the degree to which the design of aparticular user interface takes into account the humanpsychology and physiology of the users, and makes the

process of using the system effective, efficient andsatisfying.



Engineers Complaints

How can a computer read without printing?

Why do same items have different names and operations in different

programs?

Why there are no well defined user – friendly methods for operating

a program?



Contd..

Are there tests that can be applied to programs comparing ease of

use?

Why no mock- tests are conducted after developing a program tocheck its usability?



Consideration in design of a User Interface

User analysis

Usability Testing

Screen Design(GUI)

Feedback and Assistance

Error Control



User analysis – analysis of the potential users of the system.

• What would the user want the system to do?

• How would the system fit in with the user's normal workflow or daily

activities?

• How technically savvy is the user and what similar systems does the user

already use?

• What interface look & feel styles appeal to the user?

Usability Testing:

• Done to test whether the system can work effectively and efficiently .



Screen Design (GUI):

• clear , uncluttered and free of irrelevant information.

• Provide information that is essential for making a decision.

• Provide all data related to one task on a single screen.

Feedback and Assistance:

• System should acknowledge every user request in some way

• Additional assistance should be available on request.

Error Control

• Error tolerant i.e. despite evident errors in input, the intended result may be achieved with either

no or minimal action by the user.

• Error prevention and error detection



PRINCIPLES GOVERNING A WELL-DESIGNED INTERFACE

Consistency & Clarity

Context & Navigation

Search

Flexibility

Personalization



Consistency & Clarity

Usage of

consistent

language andtone throughout,

with words,

phrases and

concepts similar

to users, rather

than systemoriented terms

The same

words/commandsshould perform

the same

functions

throughout the

interface.

Icons or

words/commands

indicating actions

and options

should be clearly differentiated so

that users can

readily tell them

apart. Example:

Labels for items

such as full textand citation

should appear

with the icon.

Functions of words/commands

should be

consistent with

widely accepted

standards.



Context & Navigation

The interface should be structured so that, at any given point,

users can identify where they are in relation to the supported

options and functions.

Links should clearly indicate to users where they will end

up, preventing errors.

It should be clear how to exit or back up from an activity

at any point in the process.



Search

• Should provide multiple ways for users to intuitively

refine a query by grouping, sorting, and limiting from the

results page

• Should offer choices from a menu of pre-defined syntaxes

• Documentation of the range and scope of searchable

materials must be easy accessible



Flexibility

• There must be a minimal learning curve for first time

users, and as well as provisions for more advanced users

to learn features as they become appropriate

• Mechanisms should be available to speed up the

interaction for expert users



Contd..

• Should always keep users informed about the status of reported problems through appropriate feedback

• Error messages should be expressed in plain language,

precisely indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution



Personalization

User defined display options should be

available.

Example: Users should be able to change the size

of icons, or choose a certain number of results to

display



Thus…in a nutshell…

• It's not your fault. !! – In today's consumer culture, what should be blamed on bad interface design

is instead blamed on the "incompetence" of users.

• Simple things should stay simple. – Its absolutely right and proper for complicated tasks to take time and

expertise to accomplish – some things that are fundamentally simple — like changing the time on a

wristwatch — should stay simple.

• Fewer choices mean fewer worries. – The less burdened a user's mind is with irrelevant decisions, the more clear

their mind is to accomplish what they need to get done.

• Your data is sacred. – When one ensures that a machine can't lose a user's work, interfaces become

a lot simpler

• Good interfaces create good habits. – Good interfaces make forming good habits really easy, and they make

forming bad habits nearly impossible.

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