I thought I would explain a little bit more into the world of human-computer interaction. Defined, it is the study of interaction between people (or users) and computers. It can also be referred to as man-machine interaction and computer-human interaction.
There are four steps after we have studied how people want to use their interface:
1. Design the interface
2. Test
3. Analyze results
4. Repeat
This is what is called Iterative design, based on a continuous process of testing,analyzing, and tweaking a process.
There are two types of methods we use when designing an interface. There is a user-centered design, (UCD) which is the idea that users must take the "center stage" in designing. Basically it is giving a lot of attention to each stage of the design process. The other type is using the principles of user-interface design. If you would like to read more on the seven principles of user-interface design, just click on the link.
For operating systems, there is no end on how we can improve. Windows has come a long way from 1995 to now. Things used to be very meticulous in how you accessed information. Now we have shortcuts, sidebars, a start program, and more. In developing this design for touch technology, it presents a whole new way to work with our information. With Microsoft Silverlight and other like technologies, we can operate as if we wree actually using real physical documents, like you're sitting at a desk. All this stuff is really exciting.
Microsoft has come along way since 1995 to know they try to better fit our society and how we work together.
ReplyDeleteMicrosoft and others have come along way, but their OS' seem to have a problem adapting to changes in HCI. Some have advocated that the only way to develop robust, but not bloated, OS' that take advantage of these new methods of interaction is to start from scratch. This seems to be what we're seeing in the mobile OS world.
ReplyDelete