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Hci Chap 4

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43 views4 pages

Hci Chap 4

Uploaded by

pavanibodhireddi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Quality of Service

1. Introduction

Quality of Service (QoS) in HCI refers to how well a system meets user needs in terms of
responsiveness, reliability, and usability. High QoS enhances user satisfaction and productivity,
while poor QoS can lead to frustration and abandonment.

2. Models of Response-Time Impacts

Response time, the time taken by a system to process a user action, is critical in HCI.

 Short response times: Increase user engagement (e.g., less than 0.1 seconds feels
instantaneous).
 Moderate response times: Up to 2 seconds is usually acceptable but may interrupt the
flow.
 Long response times: Over 5 seconds can lead to frustration and disengagement.
 Models:
o Linear Models: Suggest that user satisfaction decreases consistently as response
time increases.
o Threshold Models: Indicate that beyond a certain delay, satisfaction drops
sharply.
o Contextual Models: Account for task-specific expectations (e.g., users tolerate
longer times for complex queries).

3. Expectations and Attitudes

User expectations about response times are influenced by prior experiences, system feedback,
and task urgency.

 Key Factors:
o Consistency: Users expect similar performance across interactions.
o Feedback: Systems should indicate progress (e.g., loading spinners).
o Task Type: Users are more forgiving of delays in computationally intensive tasks
(e.g., rendering a video).

4. User Productivity

System responsiveness directly affects user productivity:


 Fast systems: Enable users to complete tasks efficiently, enhancing workflow.
 Slow systems: Interrupt focus, lead to errors, and reduce overall productivity.
 HCI Strategies to Improve Productivity:
o Optimize performance for frequent tasks.
o Use predictive preloading to anticipate user actions.

5. Variability in Response Time

Inconsistent response times (e.g., fast for some actions, slow for others) create uncertainty and
frustration.

 Impact:
o Reduces trust in the system.
o Forces users to overcompensate, such as saving work more frequently.
 Solution:
o Aim for consistent performance rather than sporadic bursts of speed.

6. Frustrating Experiences

Delays, crashes, or unclear error messages lead to user frustration.

 Causes of Frustration:
o Lack of feedback during delays.
o Unresponsive or buggy interfaces.
o Unexpected errors or interruptions.
 Mitigation Strategies:
o Provide clear progress indicators.
o Offer meaningful solutions in error messages.
o Design for failure recovery (e.g., autosave features).

Balancing Function and Fashion

1. Introduction

Function and fashion in UI design refer to usability (function) versus aesthetics (fashion). While
visually appealing interfaces attract users, functionality must remain the priority.

2. Error Messages
Error messages play a vital role in guiding users to resolve issues effectively.

 Good Error Message Practices:


o Be specific (e.g., "Invalid email format" instead of "Error occurred").
o Offer actionable solutions (e.g., "Try resetting your password").
o Use a positive tone to avoid blaming the user.
 Avoid:
o Vague messages like "Unknown error."
o Technical jargon that confuses users.

3. Nonanthropomorphic Design

Nonanthropomorphic design avoids making systems behave or look like humans unnecessarily.

 Why avoid it?


o Overly humanized designs can feel intrusive or insincere.
o Users may develop unrealistic expectations about system capabilities.
 Example:
o Avoid saying "I don’t understand" in a chatbot; instead, say "Could you rephrase
that?"

4. Display Design

Effective display design ensures information is presented clearly and intuitively.

 Principles:
o Use consistent layouts and visual hierarchies.
o Prioritize important information through size, color, or placement.
o Minimize clutter to avoid overwhelming users.
 Examples:
o Dashboards should highlight key metrics prominently.
o Forms should group related fields logically.

5. Web Page Design

Web design should balance aesthetics, usability, and performance.

 Best Practices:
o Ensure fast loading times by optimizing images and code.
o Make navigation intuitive with clear menus and links.
o
Use responsive design to accommodate various screen sizes.
 Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
o Overusing animations or popups.
o Cluttering pages with too much text or images.

6. Window Design

Windows are key elements in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Their design influences
multitasking and usability.

 Good Window Design:


o Allow users to resize, move, and close windows easily.
o Use consistent UI patterns (e.g., title bars, minimize/maximize buttons).
o Limit overlapping windows to reduce confusion.
 Example:
o A word processor with separate windows for the document, formatting tools, and
help menu.

7. Color

Color enhances visual appeal and aids in communication but should be used strategically.

 Guidelines for Color Use:


o Use contrasting colors for readability.
o Follow cultural norms (e.g., red for warnings in many cultures).
o Avoid overloading the interface with too many colors.
 Accessibility Considerations:
o Use color-blind-friendly palettes.
o Provide alternative cues (e.g., icons or text) for color-based information.

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