Human Computer Interface (HCI)

Human Computer Interface (HCI)

1. Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

   • Examples
     • Windows
     • Mac OS X
   • Graphical user interfaces use a mix of text and colourful graphics such as icons and cursors
     • Advantages
       • Farmiliar to use for frequent users
       • Easy to pick up for beginners, young or old people using computers
     • Disadvantages
       • Requires a large amount of RAM to run smoothly
       • Requires a large amount of hard disk storage space for the files and graphic elements

2. Command Line Intefaces

   • Used for computer experts to complete tasks quickly
   • Examples
     • Windows command line interface
     • Mac OS X terminal application
   • Advantages
   • Disadvantages

3. Voice Interfaces

   • Examples
     • Siri
     • Sat Navs
     • Room Entry microphones
   • Voice interfaces allow users to interact with comuters with their vocies
   • Advantages
     • Quicker than typing
     • 99% accurate
   • Disadvantages
     • Problems with local accents
     • Takes time to learn your voice

4. Touch Screen Interfaces

   • Examples
     • Smartphones e.g. iPhone
     • Tablets e.g. iPad
     • Museum information displays
   • Disadvantages
     • Costly to purhcase
     • Expensive to replace if broken
   • Advantages
     • Natural interface
     • easy to learn and pick-up for all ages
   • Devices wich respond to human touches

5. Biometric Interfaces

   • Biometric devices allow interaction with things like retinal scans or fingerprints
   • Examples
     • Fingerprint scanners for room access
     • Retinal scanners for room entry (e.g. Government buildings)
   • Advantages
     • Everyone has unique features
     • Easy to use
   • Disadvantages
     • Very expensive to pruchase the hardware
     • Can break and then be costly to fix

6. Game Devices

   • Hardware interfaces used with games
   • Advantages
     • Easy to access multiple commands and actions
     • Useful for long periods of gaming. Ergonomically designed
   • Disadvantages
     • Expensive to purchase
     • Sometimes difficult to get used to (requires a long time to learn).
   • Examples
     • XBOX Controller
     • Joystick