User Interface

User Interface

1. Menu Forms & Dialogue Box User Interfaces

   • This interface allows you to interact with a computer by navigating through a series of screens or menus for example a cash machine. Dialogue Boxes is interaction through the use of spoken word.
     • Disadvantages: Limited uses, it is expensive, requires training, unreliable and unsuitable for critical commands.
     • Advantages: Allows hands free control and is useful for disabled users.

2. Graphical User Interface

   • It is an interface that allows a user to select icons, that represent the action, using a mouse. It makes use of Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers and has therefore adopted the name of WIMP.
     • Advantages: Easy to use, easy to explore, don't have to learn commands and good help facilities are provided.
     • Disadvantages: Use a lot of memory and processing power, can be irritating to experienced users and need a lot of RAM to run.

3. Command Line Interface

   • It is interaction between the use rand the computer system directly and is completed by inputting commands physically by using a keyboard.
     • Advantages: Faster than other interfaces, needs less memory and CPU, doesn't require high resolution and can be run on low spec machines.
     • Disadvantages: It is confusing, commands have to be precise, instructions have to be known before entry and it doesn't look appealing.

4. Natural Language

   • This type of interface allows the user to either speak of type their normal everyday language in order to interact with the computer. For example, some applications such as Siri accepts spoken words and converts them into text.
     • Advantages of using natural language includes that this user interface is more flexible than a dialogue interface. It is also suitable for physically handicapped people and users don't have to be trained.
     • One disadvantage is that it isn't very reliable. it is also highly complex to program and isn't widely available.