Wk 1 : Introduction

Section 1 : Intactive Systems

Two key concepts :

· Interactive software : computer software that are interactive

·
Engineering software How
: to design ,
develop and implement such software

computer : An electronic device capable of :

·
Receiving info .
in some form
·

performs sequence of operations (predetermined but variable)

·
produces result in form of info .

signals

user Centric Design : Consider four aspects :

·
elements that are acceptable to users

·
layouts that meet user expectations

· should help user percieve system state

· interaction that takes user from one system state to other

Historical Evolution : four phases with certain overlap

Prehistory (1940-1970)
·

·
Early phase (1980s -

early 21st century) : advent of PCs

·
pre modern phase (late 1990s -
first decade of 21st century) :

wide use of PCs :

smartphones and tablets

·
Modern age (2011 onwards) : interconnected devices

Section 2: Introduction to usability

Human Computer Interaction : discipline concerned with the design ,

evaluation and

implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and study of

phenomena around them

.

user classification : Novice ,

Intermittent , Expert
Usability : extent to which a product can be used by specified users to acheive

specified goals with efficiency , effectiveness ,

satisfaction .

Jacob Neilsen's quality components :

Learnability : Ease with which first time user performs basic tasks
.

Efficiency : speed at which user can complete tasks

·
Memorability : Ease with which an occasional user re-establishes proficiency .

·
Errors : Rate at which user makes errors , severity & ease of recovery

·
satisfaction : How pleasant it is to use design .

user centered design : coined by Shneiderman (1986)

objective : to design products that "usability

Indicates active passive involvement of users in design life cycle

Section 3: Enginring f usability

software Development life Cycle : comprehensively capture and represent design & development

Waterfall Model : most well known SDLC > seven major stages

Feasibility Study >

Requirement gathering system design >
coding

Maintanence Deployment > Integration & System Testing <

spiral model : Multiple cycles : each spiral , one cycle/4 quadrants)

risk assesment identify

and mitigation objectives

& Through iterations : more complete version

riskS

WIMP :
Windows Icons Menus Pointers

development evaluation

and planning

Section 4: Intactive system life cycle

Requirement gathering :

·
end users + customer client

· contextual inquiry , ethnographic studies ,

cultural probes
Design -

prototype -
evaluate loop :

O
loop : for refinement of early designs based on feedback.

·
many iterations : should be performed quickly .

·
design : interface design
a code design

code and code testing :

Can
·
be done in traditional way

Early stages imp .

>
costly to rewrite codes & test

Emperical Study :

·
Required to ensure product conforms to usability
.

· Involves systematic testing with end users

.

synchronous remote Interactive

System : interactions happen in real time : Live chat,

video conferencing , Online gaming etc.

Asynchronous remote Interactive System : allows communication o interaction without

requiring participants to be present at the same time : Emails , Social Media

,

Forums & Message Boards etc

.

Section 5: Usability requements

system Centered Design :

·
what can I build easily ?

·
what can I create from available tools ?

What
·
do I find interesting ? (programmers

Non-functional Requirements : Related to quality attributes of the software

1.Performance Related : Reliability , Security , Response Time

.
2 operating constraints : physical constraints :
personnel ,
skill , system accessibility

.
3 sconomic considerations : Immediate Long term cost for design ,
dev . & implementation
4
. Life Requirements
cycle :
Maintainability , enhance ability , portability

.
5 Interface issues : External system interface , usability