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Proposal 13. HUMAN CENTRIC COMPUTING (COMP106) ASSIGNMENT 2. Introduction.
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Proposal 13 HUMAN CENTRIC COMPUTING (COMP106) ASSIGNMENT 2
Introduction. The new interface that I have designed for the University Online Library Catalogue will consist of many tasks that the user will be able to perform with the interface. I feel though, that there are 3 main tasks involved with this type of interface, and these are the tasks that I will concentrate on in this design. • The 3 tasks are: • Searching for a book. • Checking the availability of a book. • Checking the location of the book in the library.
Task 1 – Searching for a book. Main operations: • The user will be provided with a Form Fill-in style of data entry. • A drop down menu will be included enabling users to select by which option they would like to use to search for their book. e.g. author or title. • A button will be available on-screen allowing the user to finalise their search. A drop-down menu will also be available on-screen enabling the user to either search again, go back a page, or return to the main menu. • Unlike in the current interface, error messages will be displayed if, for example, letters are attempted to be entered in a search by category number. • A thank you message will be displayed at end of this and every other task, giving good closure.
Task 2 – Checking the availability of a book. Main operations: • After user has chosen their book, they have the chance to select the ‘availability’ option from the drop-down menu on-screen to see whether their chosen book is available for loan. • The following screen will tell the user whether their book is available. If so, the user will be thanked, and given the option to check the location of the book. If not, unlike in the current interface, the user will now be informed as to how many days it will take for the book to become available and whether they would like a confirmation e-mail telling them that their book is available. • Again, their will be a drop-down menu on-screen allowing the user to either check the location of the book in the library, perform a new search, go back a page, or start over completely. • The user, unlike in the current interface, will be thanked for using the service after each task they perform.
Task 3 – Checking the location of a book in the library. Main operations: • Once the user has completed either of the first two tasks, they will have the option to check the location of the book in the library by pressing the ‘location’ button. • The following screen will, unlike in the current interface, describe in detail where the book is locating, by showing a top down map of the library indicating where the user needs to go to collect the book. • On this screen also will be a button which the user can press if they want to take the library tour, (an option which is available on the very first menu of the interface) in order to become more familiar with the library and it’s locations. • The user again will have a drop-down menu available to them, if they want to check the availability of the book, perform a new search, go back a page, or simply start again at the home page. • Again, the user will be thanked after they have completed this task.
Summary of the new operations, which were not allowed on the current interface. • Thank you messages being displayed at the end of each task, giving the user a feeling of satisfaction having completed a task. • A map of the library being displayed on the ‘location’ screen, highlighting the area of the library that the user’s chosen book is kept. • An opportunity for the user to input their e-mail address in order to receive a confirmation message when their chosen book, which is currently not available for loan, becomes available. • Only one method of data entry, making things a little less confusing for the inexperienced user. A Form Fill-in style of data entry will be used for this, it’s advantages being that it is attractive and suitable for users of all standards. • Drop-down menus and buttons being displayed clearly on each screen, allowing the user to perform a number of operations, i.e. search, go back one page, start over, and so on. • Better error handling than the current interface. For example if a letter is typed in the ‘category number’ search option, then an error message will be displayed, informing the user clearly of what they have done wrong. In the current interface, the search is performed anyway even though invalid data has been entered. • Clearer information in general, making things less confusing for the user. For example, things are less crammed in the new design, and the user is informed on every screen of what is going on. In the current interface, it seemed like a lot of things were crammed onto one screen, thus perhaps confusing a less experienced user.
Designing a Metaphor. • The basic metaphor which I will be using will be that of a directory. • Basically, a directory is generally known as a book, or list, of some specific data. Here are a few examples: • Names • Addresses • Telephone Numbers • ID Numbers • That is the basic idea, and I believe that the fact that the online library catalogue is basically a list of books, this metaphor is suitable.
Designing a Metaphor. Basically, we want the user to be allowed to do in the metaphor, exactly the same as what they are allowed to do in the real system. Let’s use a telephone directory as an example. A telephone directory lists information on people including their address and their telephone number. (Much in the same way that the online library catalogue lists information on books, including their availability and their location within the library).
The new interface design • The new interface has been designed concentrating on a direct manipulation style of interaction. This is important considering the interface will be used by inexperienced as well as experienced users. • Here are the two main objects that will be made available to the user: • Buttons • Drop-Down Menus • I have made more use of drop-down menus in the new interface compared to the current interface. For example, in the current interface, where there is a list of buttons at the head of the screen for the user to select, I intend to create more space on the screen by using a drop-down menu thus reducing the amount of buttons on-screen. I believe this, in addition to creating more space on-screen, is far more attractive and efficient for the experienced or inexperienced user. It also seems more modernised, as constantly using buttons seems a bit old-school now.
A look at the new features on each screen involving the 3 main tasks.
A look at the new features on each screen involving the 3 main tasks.
A look at the new features on each screen involving the 3 main tasks.
Summary of how the user will benefit from using the new interface in relation to the 8 Golden Rules of interface design. • The new interface is consistent throughout, with the background remaining the same. Every page ‘feels’ more or less the same to the user, making things less confusing. The information given to the user remains consistent, as well as the buttons and drop-down menus on each page. • Expert users have been taken into considering. The system is generally kept simple, but the appearance of certain abbreviations and function keys, including drop-down menus replacing buttons where appropriate, will benefit the more experienced user. • Feedback is one of the things I have worked most on in improving the interface. Feedback is now given to the user on each and every page, whether it is to thank them, to welcome them, or to explain to them what to do or what is going on. The user needs to be able to understand the system easily. • Closure has also been improved in the new interface. Unlike with the current interface, the user is now thanked after completing every task, giving them a sense of relief and satisfaction. Each task now feels more like a unique chunk. • Error prevention has also been improved, with the inclusion of error messages when invalid data has been entered. • The user can now reverse their actions easily, with the opportunity to go back a page or even start a new search or start over again being included on each and every page. The user now never feels like they are stuck, they know that they can easily reverse their action with the click of a button. • The locus of control has also been improved as I believe now that the user feels more in control of the system. They will become less confused or flustered as they know where they are with the system at all times, as everything is explained to them in detail. • The system maintains the level of memory it uses to a minimum, by keeping everything simple and consistent. There are no 3D graphical effects of any kind which would take up more memory than needed. The system overall is kept simple, reliable and informative, without anything fancy. And this should suit users of any experience level perfectly.
