Human Computer Interaction - Usability and Evaluation Essay

Human Computer Interaction - Usability and Evaluation - Essay Example Hartson, Andre, and Williges (2003, p.145) note that usability, also referred to as human factors, or human-computer interface design or user-centered design, has become a major field of interest in both industry and academia. This is attributed to the roles computer play in the daily lives of individuals. That is, the more we need to interact with computers, the more we tend to demand well-designed software interfaces. Software developers play a crucial role in answering such demands. Designing better interfaces have quite a number of commercial merits as having been demonstrated by big companies such as Apple, IBM, Eastman Kodak, SAAB, Rank Xerox and Microsoft just to name but a few. The advantages of well-designed software include increased productivity, reduced human error, as well as making the software use enjoyable (Matera, Rizzo, and Carughi 2006, p143). Nonetheless, usability is sometimes ignored not because it is considered worthless, rather because it is considered very ex pensive, which is a misconception, according to experts. Software developers also sometimes ignore usability, which does not justify the cost of usability testing and evaluation. Ignoring usability in interface design has greater cost attachments, as having been demonstrated in past fatal accidents that has resulted due to the failures of interface to show vital information. One such accident occurred in 1987 when an American airline crashed during takeoff at Detroit killing 156 passengers on board (Matera, Rizzo, and Carughi 2006, p143). The accident, according to investigations, was caused pilot’s failure to recognize the wrong positions of flaps during the aircraft’s takeoff. A skilled interface designer would have proper knowledge of organize an interface in such a manner that vital information cannot be missed. This paper will explore the principles of usability and the methods used to evaluate software interfaces. Finally, the paper will evaluate an Amazon.com we bsite in line with the usability principles. Usability design principles Adebesin (2011) argues that the interactive systems ought to be designed in a manner that supports the user to achieve his or her objectives. To do this, the design team need multi-disciplinary, with practitioners possessing ergonomics, cognitive science, and computer skills among others. This ensures that the team understands physical capabilities, human problem solving, their working environment, and the entire interaction context. A number of design guidelines are used in the software interface development. The design guidelines range from general to application-specific rules. Hartson, Andre, and Williges (2003, p.146) classify the design rules according to their level of authority and generality. According to Hartson, Andre, and Williges, the authority of design rule spells out whether or not the rules are to be followed or not. The level of generality, on the other hand, directs developers in ascertaining whether a particular guideline can be widely applied in different design situations. There are three basic principles of usability identified by Matera, Rizzo, and Carughi (2006, p.145). The first principle of usability design principle, according to Matera, Rizzo, and Carughi (2006, p145), is the principle of unity. The principle of unity in interface design is crucial since ensures congruency in the use of the interface. The unity principle also allows software interfac

Find Me product Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Find Me product - Assignment Example Here you can spend a lot of energy on the nerves of the fact that you have spent a lot of time searching and have not found yet. So, you want quickly and without stress to find lost things. So you want quickly and without straining to find lost things. Perfect for you would be a situation where at any given time you can find out the location of valuable things for you. And it would be good to use for this purpose a minimum of resources. Probably, your life would be easier if these wishes were carried out. Time and nerves you spend to search for another loss would not be stolen from your urgent sessions. In the morning you can without unnecessary upheaval for you to find everything you need (even socks), to have a quiet breakfast and go to work. If your pet has run away again somewhere in an unknown direction, you would not have to anxiously look for it at the vicinity of your home. And the solution that will facilitate your life really does exist. Based on GPS technology, there was developed a new device Find Me. Attach it to the important things for you, always be able to keep track of its location. The design of the device is primarily aimed at convenience and safety when using it. It easily attaches securely to any surface and can be easily removed. Because of its tiny and minimalist appearance it will not hinder you to use those things to which it is attached. After a phone call we can get distracted and forget where we put the phone. And when we need it again, we wonder where it could be put. Great, when we have the opportunity to call our phone to find the loss by the ring sound. But if our phone on silent or if the battery is low, we do not find the phone by the sound. In this case, we can come to the aid of Find Me. Location phone attached thereto Find Me can be found by any of the device with a built-in