Transcript User Interfaces
User Interfaces
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This lesson will cover:
What is meant by a
human-computer interface
.
Common types of
interface
.
WIMP
in computing.
Other types of interface.
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Human-computer interfaces
An
human computer interface
(
HCI
) is the means by which a user can interact and exchange information with a computer.
What interfaces do you use?
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Types of HCI
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Command line and menu-based examples
CLIs
are used in older operating systems, like MS-DOS.
Menu-based interfaces
are more user-friendly than CLIs. Instead of typing in a command, you choose one from a list on the screen, which leads to another menu, which can lead to another.
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Graphical user interfaces
The image on the left of this screen is a graphical user interface that represents a real calculator.
When you click on each of the buttons, the interface converts this
input
into a code.
6 of 11 The computer then reads this code and displays the correct
output
through the GUI.
What do you think makes a good GUI?
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WIMP
In computing,
WIMP
stands for
Window
,
Icon
,
Menu
,
Pointer
(or pointing device).
The first GUI was created by Xerox in the 1970s with many WIMP features, but Xerox didn’t develop the idea further.
Steve Jobs
, co-founder of Apple, recognized the potential of WIMP and incorporated the interface into Apple’s new Macintosh computers. It was a massive commercial success.
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WIMP
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Touch screen technology
Many mobile phones now use
touch screen technology
.
The
Apple iPhone
still has a GUI, but instead of using a mouse to select the icons, the user simply touches them.
The iPhone’s
multi-touch
user interface also allows the user to use their fingers to zoom into pictures and web pages.
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Other types of interface
There are several other types of user interface that are designed to meet the needs of specific users.
Motion tracking interfaces
monitor body movements and translate them into commands.
Gesture interfaces
accept input from hand gestures or from sketching done with a mouse or stylus.
Voice user interfaces
accept input from voice commands and provide output in the same way.
10 of 11 What type of user might benefit from a different type of interface?
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Summary
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