Human - Computer Interfaces (HCI)

Human - Computer Interfaces (HCI)

1. Operating Systems

   • Hardware
     • - Allows devices like printers to work with application
     • Controls how the computer memory - or RAM - is used by application
   • Software
     • Allows more than one application to run at the same time (multitasking)
     • Contains utility applications like virus scanners and firewalls
   • User Interface
     • Organizes storage by using files and folders
     • Provides a graphical way to interact with a computer and make tasks easier

2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

   • WIMP
     • Windows are used to carry out different tasks
     • Icons are pictures you can click to open different programs
     • Menus can be used to choose what you want to do
     • Pointers are cursors on the screen
   • Includes
     • Office Assistants
     • Online tutorials
     • Desktop customization
     • Changing icons
   • Advantages/Disadvantages
     • + Do not need to remember complicated commands
     • + You can use a mouse to control a pointer
     • - You need more memory and storage space to run GUI
     • - Computer experts may find GUIs slower than command line interfaces

3. Types of User Interfaces

   • Command Line
     • Features: You need to remember and type in certain commands to operate
     • + Requires less memory than GUI
     • - Hard for beginners who do not know the commands
   • Menu/ Dialogue Box
     • Features: With menus, you have to select a choice from a list of different menu options.
     • + No need to remember commands and easier for beginners than command line
     • - Too many levels of menus can be annoying for the user
   • Voice user Interface (VUI)
     • Feature: You can give the computer verbal commands by speaking into a microphone
     • + It is useful for people with disabilities who have difficulty using a keyboard
     • - Some voice interfaces struggle with accents