CHAPTER 8 - Work Station Design, Activities and Display Techniques

Abstract

This chapter presents some hardware devices for input and output along with user activities and display methods that can be used to structure the human–computer dialog. Each device or method has its advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing between alternatives and when incorporating them into the user interface. Input and output devices should be chosen to fit the particular application they are to be used in. This means that the designer must consider (1) the environment in which the equipment is to be used, (2) the kind of users it will have, and (3) the kind of task they will use it for. Only when all these factors are considered can a satisfactory choice be made. Choosing the method by which a user selects facilities or features using a particular input device is also dependent on similar factors. The main alternatives are menu driven systems and linear command language specification. Both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. More important, both can be made more effective by the addition of certain facilities, such as undo or on-line help, and by careful attention to detail. Display techniques must be geared to making it easy for a user to find the information required as well as to make it easy to understand once found. Choosing a particular layout and methods of coding information for the user requires careful consideration of the display as a whole. Colored displays and diagrams have a lot to recommend them. Multiple display windows can also be useful.