June 2010 Edition
Computer Science Department, University of Cape Town
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Consider the following menu/actions available within a system.
| Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 |
|---|---|---|
| delete/insert character | remove/insert character | delete/insert character |
| delete/insert word | delete/insert word | kill/insert word |
| delete/insert line | create/insert line | delete/insert line |
| delete/insert paragraph | kill/create new paragraph | delete/insert paragraph |
A good design principle is to create a consistent and familiar user interface. Comment on the above design.
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
Why is producing standards for interface design important? What kind of benefits can they provide?
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
Which of the following can be classified as principles and which of the following can be classified as design rules?
Always prompt a 'warning' message to the user before deleting a file.
Provide a 'SAVE' command.
Reduce cognitive load.
Ensure consistency in presentation.
Provide a 'HELP' facility.
Ensure efficient use.
Ensure operational visibility.
Display an 'EXIT' command always at the bottom of the 'FILE' menu option .
Design for user growth.
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
Sketch the screen design of a system to achieve the following. On receiving a house number and postcode from a user, the system must display the location of the address on a map of London. Provide a suitable mechanism to receive input from a user and report errors.
Assume that your design will be implemented using a PC-style interface. Detailed designs of interface items such as buttons and error dialog boxes should be determined at this stage of the design.
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
Since Windows 95, Microsoft's desktop operating systems' shut down function is accessed via the start menu. Which of the design principles can this be said to contravene?
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
Why is a user preemptive dialog generally preferable? Why is it not always practical?
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
What are the advantages of providing a customisable interface? What are the possible dangers?
A Discussion on this activity can be found at the end of the chapter.
What advantage could a large software company gain in constraining the creativity of its designers?
Answer at the end of the chapter.
Would you classify the following guidelines as design principles or design rules?
Easy to use
Adapted to users' level of knowledge
System to provide feedback to user
Answer at the end of the chapter.
What problems can an inconsistent interface cause to users?
Answer at the end of the chapter.
What are most design guidelines based on?
Answer at the end of the chapter.
Why is it essential to provide observable feedback when performing an action in an interactive system?
Answer at the end of the chapter.
With reference to task migratability, why may it be dangerous to assign too much control to a system?
Answer at the end of the chapter.
List the three categories of design principles which support the usability of interactive systems.
Answer at the end of the chapter.