ABDULREHMAN

70069283
Hci
Assignmnt 3

Styles of interaction

Command Language

Advantages

1. Flexible.
2. Appeals to expert users.
3. Supports creation of user-defined "scripts" or macros.
4. Is suitable for interacting with networked computers even with low bandwidth.

Disadvantages
 1. Retention of commands is generally very poor

2. Learnability of commands is very poor.

3. Error rates are high

4. Error messages and assistance are hard to provide because of the diversity
of possibilities plus the complexity of mapping from tasks to interface
concepts and syntax

5. Not suitable for non-expert users

Form Fillin

Advantages

1. Simplifies data entry

2. Shortens learning in that the fields are predefined and need only be 'recognised'

3. Guides the user via the predefined rules

Disadvantages

1. Consumes screen space

2. Usually sets the scene for rigid formalisation of the business processes
Menu Selection

Advantages

1. Ideal for novice or intermittent users

2. Can appeal to expert users if display and selection mechanisms are rapid and if
appropriate "shortcuts" are implemented

3. Affords exploration

4. Structures decision making

5. Allows easy support of error handling as the user's input does not have to be parsed
(as with command language)

Disadvantages

1. Too many menus may lead to information overload or complexity of discouraging

proportions

2. May be slow for frequent users

3. May not be suited for small graphic displays

Direct Manipulation

Advantages

1. Visually presents task concepts

2. Easy to learn

3. Errors can be avoided more easily

 4. Encourages exploration

5. High subjective satisfaction

6. Recognition memory (as opposed to cued or free recall memory)

Disadvantages

1. May be more difficult to programme

2. Not suitable for small graphic displays

3. Spatial and visual representation is not always preferable

4. Compact notations may better suit expert users

Natural Language

Advantages

1. Allows users to communicate with their system naturally

2. Can reduce or eliminate the need for keyboards, great for those with poor keyboard
skills

3. Once it is more accurate at interpreting speech, commands may be able to be

spoken faster than they are typed

Disadvantages
1. Currently cannot accurately interpret much of verbal language, which is too
ambiguous

2. Requires a lot of training for each user so it can interpret their verbal commands