Human Computer Interaction
2. Introduction
Today, computerized mechanism and ICT (information and communication technology) have a significant impact on human life process. What was on the top of the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is now performing a vital role in each human life. Due to the swift growth in the technology industry and hardware and software development computerized systems and machines are used on an everyday basis by almost everyone, even people from different fields which are not related to computing. Major sectors such as aviation, healthcare, banking and education adopted computer technology to improve productivity and efficiency. Interaction between human and machine occurs in user interface and the communication mode between user and a computer system is influenced by the design of user interface (Dix et al, 2004). Poor design criteria in the user-interface will produce difficulty and waste of time when user try to interact with a computer. As Shniedermann (2000) claim “Designers of older technologies such as Postal Services, Telephones, and television have reached the goal of universal usability, but computing technology is too difficult to use for many people. One survey of 6000 computer users found an average of 5.1 hours per week wasted trying to use computer. More time is wasted in front of computers than on highways” (Shniedermann, 2000). When designing a user interface for a user centered system, designers and developers must concentrate on human factors and ergonomics to validate the usability, approachability and user safety of the system (Preece.J, 1994). And human factors must be taken into account at the beginning stages of the design. More often, it is taken into consideration at the end stages of the design, this will lead to costly changes or unwilling to change the design. A good interactive system must have the both usability and technology to produce an effective output (Collura, 2004).
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3. Topic Overview 3.1 HCI
The word HCI (Human-Computer
Today, computerized mechanism and ICT (information and communication technology) have a significant impact on human life process. What was on the top of the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is now performing a vital role in each human life. Due to the swift growth in the technology industry and hardware and software development computerized systems and machines are used on an everyday basis by almost everyone, even people from different fields which are not related to computing. Major sectors such as aviation, healthcare, banking and education adopted computer technology to improve productivity and efficiency. Interaction between human and machine occurs in user interface and the communication mode between user and a computer system is influenced by the design of user interface (Dix et al, 2004). Poor design criteria in the user-interface will produce difficulty and waste of time when user try to interact with a computer. As Shniedermann (2000) claim “Designers of older technologies such as Postal Services, Telephones, and television have reached the goal of universal usability, but computing technology is too difficult to use for many people. One survey of 6000 computer users found an average of 5.1 hours per week wasted trying to use computer. More time is wasted in front of computers than on highways” (Shniedermann, 2000). When designing a user interface for a user centered system, designers and developers must concentrate on human factors and ergonomics to validate the usability, approachability and user safety of the system (Preece.J, 1994). And human factors must be taken into account at the beginning stages of the design. More often, it is taken into consideration at the end stages of the design, this will lead to costly changes or unwilling to change the design. A good interactive system must have the both usability and technology to produce an effective output (Collura, 2004).
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3. Topic Overview 3.1 HCI
The word HCI (Human-Computer
References: 3. Fetaji.M, Loskoska.S, Fetaji.B, Ebibi.M (2007). (Thesis) Investigating Human computer interaction issues in designing. South east European university, Macedonia.