INLS 62 Class Notes

Day 16:  Oct. 20

 

  1. One minute papers

Direct manipulation

Augmented reality, AR in use today?  [automobiles]

VR applications? Demos?

Why no see-through tools in use today?

Not all good ideas come to market

 

Assign usability assignment

Project updates

 

2.Menus and other inputs (chapter 7)

 

commands-àselections-àdirect manipulationàtotal interaction

(decreasing control over options; decreasing effort)

 

menus require recognition rather than recall

 

menu structures

            binary

            single

              list (consider ordering: conceptual, alphabetical/numerical, frequency)

              hierarchy/faceted

              2D (possibly layered, e.g., tabs)

              embedded

              network (free form direct links)

              combinations

             

menus mechanisms

            activation (on screen, pull down, pop up, dialog, toolbars, palette, fisheye)

            selection (radio button, check box, mouse down, mouse click, keystroke/sequence, sliders, mouse brushing, stylus strokes)

            site maps, overviews, position markers

 

design considerations

            map mechanisms to structure

            use selection standards

            use breadth rather than depth

            group and sequence logically (similarity, exhaustively—all cases, exclusively—no overlaps)

            name appropriately (terminology, consistency)

            maintain stability (avoid automatic adaptation)

            provide shortcuts (type ahead, keystroke, bookmark, macros)

            allow undo, go back

            dialog boxes must have an easy dismiss function

 

Form fill ins

            Clear, consistent instructions are crucial

            Similar guidelines as menus

            Give feedback (cursor)

            Give clear prompts (start, stop)

            Allow easy corrections

            Give clear error messages or traps

            Distinguish optional and mandatory fields

            Use data standards (dates, times, state abbreviations, money, etc.)

 

Small form factor considerations

            Breaking down complex menus into discrete units (more….)

            Crucial functions to surface

            Choosing good defaults

           

 

3. One minute paper:  post to blog

    1. main point you learned today
    2. main unanswered question you left class with