Human-Computer Interface (HCI's)

Human-Computer Interface (HCI's)

1. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

   • Advantages
     • Low level of ICT skills needed (easy to use)
     • Pictures can be more meaningful than words (help younger people / people with siabilities)
   • Disadvantages
     • Can be large/complex and take up resources
     • Can make computer run slower

2. Menu-Driven Interface

   • Advantages
     • Navigation to find options is easy
     • User input is validated as ony the options shown can be use
   • Disadvantages
     • Some options may have no use for a particular user
     • Can be difficult to locate an option if there is a lot of menus & sub-menus

3. Command-Line Interface

   • Advantages
     • Insturctions execute quickly
     • Instructions are versatile (Large number of options can be pciked per instruction)
     • Small operating system (Less memory used)
   • Disadvantages
     • Need to learn special instructions
     • Need to type instructions precisely
     • Complex levels with some commands (High ICT skills needed)

4. Touch-Sensitive Interface

   • Advantages
     • Low-level ICT skills needed
     • Less possibility of theft
     • More practicality in some evnironments where a keyboard cannot be used e.g extreme cold where gloves are required
   • Disadvantages
     • Can become dirty & scratched so it is dificult to read
     • Higher cost than mouse, keyboard and normal monitor

5. Biometrics

   • Fingerprints
   • Voice patterns/recognition
   • Retina scanner
   • Facial Features
   • Palm Prints

6. Operating System

   • Loads and runs programmes
   • Maximises use of memory (RAM)
   • Handles inputs and outputs from peripheral devices
   • If interrupts occur, it deals with them
   • Maintains security of the system