HCI

HCI

1. Needs of a novice user

   • The novice user’s priority will be ease of learning/intuitive (1) and easy access to help (1).
   • Novice user will need clear navigation structure (1).
     • Colour scheme making it easier to use (1)
   • Novice user will use wizards which are not as flexible as setting it out yourself (1).

2. Needs of a expert user

   • The expert user will want to get the job done in the least possible time (1).
     • Shortcuts which the experienced user can use rather than going through a series of menus (1).
   • Expert user knows the commands (1) and will find it quicker than clicking through a series of windows (1) (dos window to use ipconfig compared to getting the same info from windows (1))
     • Increased number of ways of performing the same operation (1).

3. Features of a HCI suitable for a disabled user

   • Use of speech recognition rather than keyboards for users who cannot use keyboard or mouse (1).
   • Use of specialist input devices such as those which use blow pipes or eye movements (1)
   • Ability to magnify areas of the screen to aid users with bad eyesight (1)
   • Ability to increase the font size to aid users with poor eyesight (1)
   • Use of correct colour schemes to help people who are colour blind / dyslexia (1).
   • Illustrated use of Braille device (1).
   • Illustrated use of text to speech output (1).
   • Use visual messages rather than beeps or warning noises for users who are deaf (1).
   • Use of a large mouse for people with poor coordination (1).
   • Use plenty of contrast between the text and the background to aid people with poor eyesight (1).

4. factors which should be taken into account when designing a HCI

   • Advantage
     • Fast to run
     • Needs very little overheads (memory / processor)
   • Disadvantages
     • Need to know the commands
     • a lot of typing