Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
Users and their classification
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Users
To design a good interface, we need to answer these
questions:
Who is the user?
What are the tasks?
Environment in which a system will operate?
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Users
User’s classification is based on:
Different backgrounds
Never used computer before
Only played games
Mix background: general public
Disabilities / special needs
Blind
Visually impaired / partially sighted
Colour blind
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Users
User’s classification is based on:
Different age groups
Children
Young
Aged
Different Cultures
Asian / western / african ...
Social norms (question style, attitudes, …)
Benefit: we can make generalization about a group
i.e. by taking a group as an entity
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User Types
Novice users
Who are they?
Naïve users
Beginners
Not used computer before / used rarely
Limited STM
No concept of chunking
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
System designed should provide help
-Help should always be available – tutor / book / online
All initiatives should come from the computer – the novice may not
know what is to be done
Engage novice users by informing them about the system
All system messages should be clear – in the language of the user,
not the designer
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
User’s input to the system should be brief
i.e. no lengthy data entry (else errors)
Input procedures consistent with user expectations
For example:
o In a text box, pressing Enter key should let user go to next line
o Not pressing the OK or CANCEL button accidently
o Text entry from the same line in case of multiple text boxes
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
Provide most of the information on the screen
Don’t let users remember too much
i.e. no load on memory
Provide users clues about the system / interface
i.e. in the first view they know what to do with the system
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
Information / messages must be clear
Example: “Print command”
o “can’t open a printer ….”
o “unable to access printer …”
o “printer not installed …” etc.
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
Give users small set of options to choose from
Short menu options
Expand / collapse less frequently used menu options
Small group of radio buttons
Users should control the pace of interaction
Let them examine the system
Let them move the cursor on their own pace
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User Types
HCI guidelines for novice users
Prompt users when necessary
Novice user may neglect the changes made in the document
Closing a document (saving!)
Provide sufficient feedback
Recycle bin containing data or empty
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User Types
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User Types
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User Types
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User Types
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