Chapter 20: Window BehaviorsThe Pros and Cons of Windowing...

The use of display windows to interface with different information sources and processing tasks has greatly expanded the usefulness of computers.

Multitasking

PRO:

Windowing facilitates the performance of

multiple tasks simultaneously.

This is particularly useful if the tasks are

interrelated.

CON:

Like a cluttered desk, a windowed system may be difficult to manage.

If excessive window manipulation is required, the user can easily feel

overwhelmed.

Accessing Multiple Sources of Information

PRO:

Windowing systems make it easy to access and manipulate

information from several sources at once.

The user does not even need to be aware of the extent to which

input is flowing from some sources and output is flowing to

other destinations.

CON:

The hardware requirements (processing, memory, networking) that may be needed to effectively execute this manipulation may be huge. Consequently, expense and latency may present serious

drawbacks.

Standardization

PRO:Familiarity with some applications can easily

extend to others, lowering learning curves and, potentially, costs.

CON:Unsatisfactory protocols become standard,

creativity can be stifled, and design alternatives are not explored.

As users become more accustomed to windowed environments, de facto standards are arising, providing the users with common interaction procedures and protocols that transcend particular

hardware or software vendors.

Windows a la ModalWhen a primary window spawns a secondary window, a determination must be made

concerning whether this supplemental window should inhibit interaction with other windows.

In this modal example, the user must finish with the Print window before proceeding with the PowerPoint

window.

In this modeless example, the user may continue using the PowerPoint window, even while the

Spelling window is up.

Common Interface StylesSingle-Document Interface (SDI)

Within this Notepad window, only one document may be displayed at a time.

Multiple-Document Interface (MDI)

Within this Excel window, several spreadsheet documents may be displayed at once.

Explorer-Style Interface

A relatively new addition to common interface styles, this approach uses multiple panes in a single window (in this case, a hierarchical view and a display area) to facilitate navigation and/or browsing.

Tabbed Interfaces

Workbooks

Navigating between several documents on a single window can be facilitated by means of

tabbed worksheets.

Document Bars

An analogous capability is afforded by means of

document bars.

Each button has a capacity to yield a menu of common

commands for that associated document.

Chapter 21: ControlsA Brief Review of Screen-Based Controls...

The Purpose of Buttons:

To start an action

To change properties

To display a pop-up menu

Button Pros & Cons

PROS:• More convenient than pulling down a menu and making a selection.• Fast means of performing common actions.• Highly visible mechanism for seeing what can be done.• When 3-D in appearance, aesthetically pleasing feedback for acknowledging that an action is being taken.

CONS:• Screen space consumption.• Phrasing of button text may not be clear or concise.• Due to space and potential confusion, number of buttons must be limited.

Button Rules of ThumbUse one-word labels when possible.

Use consistent button sizes when

possible.

Try to place exiting buttons, aligned horizontally, along the bottom of the form.

The Purpose of Textboxes:

Textbox Pros & Cons

To display, enter, or edit textual information

PROS:

•Useful when a selection list isn’t viable.

•Wastes little screen space.

•Familiar to users.

CONS:

•Forces use of keyboard.

•Relies heavily on user’s memory.Textbox Rules of Thumb

• Use descriptive captions.• Make textboxes large enough for most

entries.

The Purpose of Radio Buttons:

Radio Button Pros & Cons

Radio Button Rules of Thumb

To select one of several mutually exclusive options

PROS:•Choices are easy to access.•Comparison of choices is simplified.

CONS:•High consumption of screen space.•To remain usable, the number of choices must be small.

• Whenever a selection must be made, try to set a default.

• Orient the buttons vertically instead of horizontally (if space permits).

The Purpose of Checkboxes:

Checkbox Pros & Cons

Checkbox Rules of Thumb

To switch one or more

options on or off

PROS:•Choices are easy to access.

CONS:•High consumption of screen space.•To remain usable, the number of choices must be small.

• Arrange options in a logical order (if such an order exists).

• Orient check boxes vertically instead of horizontally (if space permits).

The Purpose of Listboxes:

Listbox Pros & Cons

Listbox Rules of Thumb

To display a set of items that are not mutually exclusive

To display a set of items that are

mutually exclusive

PROS:•“Unlimited” number of choices.•All available options are visible to the user.

CONS:•Consumes screen space.•Scrolling may be necessary to see all possible selections.•Locating particular list items may be difficult.

• If possible, make a list box wide enough to display the longest choice.

• Try to order the list box contents to facilitate browsing.

The Purpose of Combo Boxes:

Combo Box Pros & Cons

To select one of several mutually exclusive list

options

To allow the user to type an entry or to select

from a list

PROS:•Flexible – both text entry and list selection.•All of the pros of textboxes and list boxes.

CONS:•All of the cons of textboxes and list boxes.

The Purpose of Drop-Down Lists:

PROS:• Conserves screen space.• All of the pros of list boxes.

CONS:• Displaying the list requires an extra action. •All of the cons of list boxes.

Drop-Down List Pros & Cons

What To Do...?

If you’re setting up a control for a small number of mutually exclusive alternatives…

The content will never change

Text entry is needed

There’s plenty of screen space

Screen space is limited

If you’re setting up a control for a large number of mutually exclusive alternatives…

RadioButtons

ComboBox

Drop-DownList

Drop-DownCombo Box

The content will never change

Text entry is needed

There’s plenty of screen space

Screen space is limited

Single-SelectionList Box

ComboBox

Drop-DownList

Drop-DownCombo Box

If you’re setting up a control for non-exclusive alternatives…

The number of alternatives is small

The number of alternatives is large

CheckBoxes

Multiple-SelectionList Box

Chapter 22: MenusTo organize large menus, several strategies may be used.

Tree menu networks are the most common strategy to facilitate large menus.

When the menu contents can be categorized into mutually exclusive groups with distinctive identifiers, this approach may be successfully employed.

Acyclic Menu SystemsIt is possible to provide multiple paths to achieve the same goals in a menu

system.

By providing alternative means of reaching the same goal, the interface affords flexibility with respect to user preferences and skill levels.

Cyclic Menu SystemsThe system of hyperlinks within a Web site may be viewed as a cyclic menu system,

providing users with a great deal of freedom with respect to touring the site application.

Chapter 14Visual Interface Design

Page 18

Adaptive MenusEfforts to streamline menu usage by having menus adjust to recent user

behavior have included adaptive menus.

Only recently used commands are

displayed initially, with user- or timer-driven expansion

possible.

The most recently used fonts are listed separately at the top

of the menus, enabling quicker

access.

The Down Side:Constantly changing menus can be

confusing.

Adaptable MenusOther GUI efforts have focused on adaptable menus, which provide

users with means to customize menus themselves.

In the static split menu, the user may select

frequently used items from the top section, or less

frequently used items from the bottom section.

The Down Side:Users are reluctant to spend time

customizing the interface.

In the adaptable split menu, the user may move items up

or down within the top section, or move an item

from the bottom section up to the top section.

Menu Content OrganizationGrouping menu items in a manner that is comprehensible to users i terms of

the tasks that they will be performing is sometimes a difficult task.

General Rules of Thumb:

• Create groups of logically similar items(e.g., Top level: countries, Next level: states, Bottom level: cities)

• Form groups that cover all possibilities(e.g., Age ranges: 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-45, >45)

• Make sure that items do not overlap(e.g., “Leisure Activities” & “Events” overlap; “Movies” & “Sports” don’t)

• Use familiar terminology, but maintain clarity(e.g., “Day” & “Night” are vague; “6AM-6PM” & “6PM-6AM” are clearer)

Menu Item Presentation SequenceOnce the menu items have been determined, the order in which they are

presented must be decided.

Inherent Ordering

• Chronological

• Numerical (ascending/descending)

• Physical (size, speed, etc.)

Non-Task-Based Ordering

• Alphabetical

• Related items (w/demarcation)

• Most frequently used first

• Most important first

Menu Selection Guidelines

Reds

Oranges

Yellows

Browns Tan

Greens Chocolate

Turquoises Sienna

Cyans Saddle

Teals

Blues

Violets

Magentas

Pinks

Whites

Grays

Blacks

Reds

Yellows Pure Yellows

Greens Oranges

Cyans Browns Tan

Blues Chocolate

Magentas Sienna

Grays Saddle

Analyze

Defragment

Pause

Stop

View Report

Refresh

Help

Examine current status of disk fragmentation

Reorganize disk to merge unused sections

Halt the process temporarily

Halt the process permanently

Open separate window to display final results

Update the screen to demonstrate current status

Provide index of topics related to application

Scan For Viruses

Disable Encryption Algorithm

Password Protection

Corrupt Software – Flush All

Software Properties

Activity Log Display Screen

So Long, Folks!

Virus Scan

Encryption Disable

Password Protect

Corruption Delete

Properties Display

Activity Log

Exit

• Broad & shallow is better than narrow & deep.

• If a menu item opens a form, use the menu item’s text in the form’s title bar.

• Group and order menu items in a meaningful manner.

• Keep menu items brief and begin with the main keyword.

• Use consistent grammar, terminology, and layout in menus.