HCI CHAPTER #3

3.1 Introduction:
This chapter focuses on the interaction between humans and computers, emphasizing how users
communicate their requirements to systems. It explores models of interaction, contextual factors
(physical, social, and organizational), and interaction styles ranging from batch input to highly
interactive systems like direct manipulation and virtual reality.

3.2 MODELS OF INTERACTION:

This chapter explores interaction models, focusing on translating communication between users
and systems. Key models, like Norman's execution-evaluation cycle, help analyze user goals, actions,
and potential interaction challenges.

3.2.1 The terms of interaction:

Interactive systems help users achieve goals within a domain, which defines the expertise and
concepts relevant to tasks. The **task language** (user's perspective) and **core language**
(system's perspective) translate between user goals and system operations, supporting interaction
analysis and system design.

3.2.2 The execution–evaluation cycle:

Norman's execution-evaluation cycle outlines interaction as seven stages: goal setting, forming
intentions, specifying actions, executing actions, perceiving, interpreting, and evaluating system
states. The model highlights **gulfs of execution** (gap between user intent and system actions)
and **gulfs of evaluation** (gap between system feedback and user expectations). Effective
interfaces minimize these gulfs to enhance usability. Though intuitive, the model focuses solely on
the user's perspective and stops at the interface level.

Norman’s model of interaction are as follows:

1. Establishing the goal.

2. Forming the intention.

3. Specifying the action sequence.

4. Executing the action.

5. Perceiving the system state.

6. Interpreting the system state.

7. Evaluating the system state with respect to the goals and intentions.

3.2.3 The interaction framework:

The interaction framework includes four components: User, System, Input, and Output, each with its
language, forming the interface. Interaction involves translating goals into input, executing tasks,
and evaluating output. Effective systems minimize mapping challenges (e.g., poor light-switch
layouts) and enhance usability through clear translations and task-specific tools. Usability depends
on how well the system supports specific tasks within a domain.

3.3 FRAMEWORKS AND HCI:

Interaction frameworks facilitate discussions on HCI aspects like ergonomics (user-side focus), dialog
design (input and performance), and presentation (output), all influenced by social and
organizational contexts. These areas shape interactive system design and user performance.

3.4 ERGONOMICS:

Ergonomics studies the physical aspects of interaction, focusing on control design, the physical
environment, screen layout, and user performance enhancement. It intersects with psychology and
system constraints, addressing issues like control/display arrangement, health, and color use. This
broad field complements but is distinct from HCI.

3.4.1 Arrangement of controls and displays:

Control and display arrangements should group related elements logically, considering function,
sequence, or frequency of use, depending on the application. Interfaces must ensure ergonomic
positioning for users, avoiding excessive movement, providing clear visibility, and spacing controls
appropriately to prevent errors and discomfort. Proper design enhances efficiency and reduces
frustration, especially in safety-critical systems.

3.4.2 The physical environment of the interaction:

The physical environment should accommodate users of varying sizes, ensuring accessibility to
controls and visibility of displays. Comfortable seating with back support and adequate space for
standing or moving is crucial for usability, health, and safety.

3.4.3 Health issues:

Health considerations in computer use include ergonomic seating, body support during prolonged
tasks, and controlled environmental factors like temperature, lighting, and noise to ensure comfort
and performance. Excessive use, especially of CRT displays, should be moderated to prevent health
risks.

3.4.4 The use of color:

The use of color in displays should ensure clarity and avoid relying solely on color for critical
information. Colors should follow common conventions, such as red for danger and green for
normal activity, while considering cultural differences in color meanings. Additionally, color
distinctions should remain clear even with changes in contrast.

3.4.5 Ergonomics and HCI:

Ergonomics, while distinct from HCI, contributes by providing guidelines and standards to design
systems that accommodate user constraints.

3.5 The interaction style:

The interaction style determines the nature of the dialog between the user and the computer.
Common interface styles include:

- Command line interface

- Menus

- Natural language

- Question/answer and query dialogs

- Form-fills and spreadsheets

- WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer)

- Point and click

- Three-dimensional interfaces

Each style impacts user interaction differently, as discussed in Chapter 16.

3.5.1 Command line interface:

Command line interfaces (CLI) offer powerful and flexible access to system functionality, often used
by expert users for tasks like automation and remote access. However, they can be difficult for
novices due to the need to remember commands, which can vary across systems. To improve
usability, commands should be consistent and use terminology familiar to the user.

3.5.2 Menus:

Menu-driven interfaces display a set of options for users to select, making them easier to use by
relying on recognition rather than recall. Menus can be hierarchical, with logically grouped options
that help users find what they need. They can be text-based or graphical, often involving number or
letter selection and navigation with arrow keys.
3.5.3 Natural language:

Natural language interfaces are appealing but challenging due to language ambiguity, making it
difficult for machines to understand. While restricted subsets of language can work in specific
domains, general natural language interfaces are limited. These systems require users to learn
specific phrases, which may not offer the flexibility of natural language.

3.5.4 Question/answer and query dialog:

Question/answer dialogs guide users through simple, step-by-step interactions, ideal for novice
users in restricted domains. Query languages allow users to retrieve information from databases
using specific syntax but require more expertise. Both interfaces are suited for specific tasks, with
question/answer being simpler and query languages offering more power but requiring experience.

3.5.5 Form-fills and spreadsheets:

Form-filling interfaces simplify data entry by presenting familiar forms for users to complete, ideal
for novices. Spreadsheets extend this concept with a grid layout that supports dynamic data
manipulation and formula-based calculations, offering flexibility for both novice and expert users.
Both interfaces enhance usability, especially in data entry and retrieval tasks.

3.5.6 The WIMP interface:

The WIMP interface (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers) is a widely used interactive computing style,
featuring graphical elements for easy navigation. It is the default for many systems, including
Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and UNIX-based X Windows. WIMP enhances user experience through
visual and interactive components.

3.8 THE CONTEXT OF THE INTERACTION:

The context of interaction is influenced by social and organizational factors, which may affect user
motivation and performance. The presence of peers can increase performance for known tasks, but
inhibit learning of new skills due to fear of failure. Systems that do not align with users' job
requirements or are difficult to use can reduce motivation, job satisfaction, and overall
performance. This highlights the importance of involving users in the design process to ensure the
system meets their needs.

3.9 EXPERIENCE, ENGAGEMENT AND FUN:

This section focuses on the experiential aspects of interaction design, emphasizing that users today
expect more than just efficient systems—they want engaging, enjoyable experiences. The concept
of "flow" is explored, which refers to a state of total engagement, where users feel challenged but
not overwhelmed, and this experience is crucial for motivating users. Additionally, the idea of
designing for engagement is discussed using the example of virtual Christmas crackers, which plicate
the experience of physical crackers through interactive media, focusing on aspects like suspense,
surprise, and hidden content.

The discussion also touches on how physical design affects user engagement. Designers must
balance various constraints—ergonomic, physical, legal, contextual, aesthetic, and economic—when
designing interfaces. The concept of "fluidity" is introduced, referring to how well the physical
design and user interactions map onto logical functions. For example, a twist knob on a MiniDisc
player is a natural fit for controlling volume, and this fluid interaction enhances user engagement.

Finally, the importance of understanding users' personal values in design is highlighted. Users are
more likely to engage with a system if it aligns with their values and provides immediate or clear
future benefits. The concept of "net present value" from economics is used to explain how people
often discount future rewards, making it essential for designs to provide both immediate and long-
term value to users.