Chapter 8

What is the term used to describe the character sequences such as <name> that serve as the endpoints for a defined group of textual characters?

XTML

3. An approach where the visual display is organized into regions and includes an arrangement of common tool icons is called a ____. a. desktop metaphor c. document metaphor b. direct manipulation d. dialog metaphor

a

6. When the appearance of a specific control suggests its function, that is called _______.

affordance

2. A metaphor of human-computer interaction (HCI) in which the user interacts directly with objects on the display screen, is referred to as ____. a. desktop metaphor c. document metaphor b. direct manipulation metaphor d. dialog metaphor

b

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the principles of user-centered design? a. Focus early on the users and their work. b. Evaluate design to ensure usability. c. Business requirements drive development. d. Use iterative development.

c

10. A type of text box that contains a set of predefined values but also allows the user to enter new values is called a ______.

combo box

A user-interface output design technique that allows a user to select a summary field and view the supporting details is called _______.

drill down

9. A type of text box input control that only contains a set of predefined data values is called a ______.

list box

8. A technique to create a sequence of sketches of the display screen during a dialog is called _____.

storyboarding

1. The _______ describe the inputs and outputs that require no or minimal human intervention.

system interface

5. The degree to which a system is easy to learn and to use is called _______.

usability

4. What is the term used for design techniques that embody the view that the user interface is the entire system.

user centered desgin

2. The _______ are inputs and outputs that directly involve a system user.

user interface

3. The ____________________ is everything the end user comes into contact with while using the system-physically, perceptually, and conceptually.

user interface

7. When a control provides immediate feedback to a user, such as when a button shows it has been clicked, that is called _______.

visibility

1. List and briefly describe at least four of the eight important User-Interface Design Concepts for the overall design of the user interface

1. Affordance and Visibility -- This means that controls should be visible and their shape should be similar to the function they perform (affordance). They should also provide visible feedback as things occur. For example a small diskette means "save" and it changes color after a document has been saved. 2. Consistency - User interface screens or pages should have the same look and feel across all screens/pages. The location of similar function buttons or icons should be consistent across the entire application. 3. Shortcuts -- Power users soon like to be able to work rapidly by having shortcuts. One powerful way is to allow users to set up their own shortcut keys. 4. Feedback -- Icons and buttons should give and indication when they are working and when they have completed a task. 5. Dialogs that yield closure -- Let the user know when something is complete. Give a message such as "credit card accepted" or "transaction complete." 6. Error handling -- Provide clear error messages and if possible some hint or instruction on how to fix the error for input types of errors. 7. Easy reversal of actions -- All users make mistakes and need to be able to "back up." Note: some Apple functions to automatic save, so that without an "undo" function it is hard to revert back. 8. Reducing Short-Term Memory load -- A user should never have to write something down to remember it from page to page. Carry information over when necessary and make it visible for the users.

2. When designing user interface pages there are four special considerations for Web Browser User Interfaces. Briefly discuss each of these special considerations.

1. Consistency -- Although it is true of all user interface screens, it is especially important for Web pages. The difficulty lies in that different browsers will display the same page differently. Tools such as CSS files can assist in formatting pages consistently. 2. Performance considerations -- Since all pages must be transmitted across the Internet, the bandwidth and amount of information sent can cause degradation and poor response time for the user. Designers must balance between powerful, user friendly pages, and keeping the amount of data sent to a minimum. 3. Pictures, video, sound -- Two issues here. These files tend to be very large so that there can be considerable delay. To view or listen to pictures, video and sound often requires special plugins for the browsers. Different browsers, i.e. PC versus Apple versus Unix often will have different methods to display. 4. Users with disabilities -- Since Web based systems are meant for the general public, this includes many people with disabilities. Additional consideration should be given to accommodate the needs of these people and provide assistive technology capabilities when possible.

3. Briefly describe each of the four metaphors for designing the Human-Computer Interface

1. Direct manipulation metaphor - Manipulating objects on a display that look like physical objects (pictures) or that represent them (icons) 2. Desktop metaphor - Organizing visual display into distinct regions, with a large empty workspace in the middle and a collection of tool icons around the perimeter 3. Document metaphor - Visually representing the data in files as paper pages or forms. These pages can be linked together by references (hyperlinks) 4. Dialog metaphor - The user and computer accomplishing a task by engaging in a conversation or dialog by using text, voice, or tools, such as labeled buttons

12. Operating systems deliberately include an electronic "click" sound for keyboard and mouse activities. This describes which of the eight golden rules for designing interactive interfaces? a. Offer informative feedback b. Offer simple error handling c. Support internal locus of control d. Strive for consistency

A

14. Designers should be sure to include cancel buttons on all dialog boxes which allow the user to back up. This is an example of what? a. Easy reversal of actions b. Reduce short term memory load c. Good error handling d. Dialog that yields closure

A

20. The primary objective of using automated input devices is to _______. a. produce error-free data c. increase throughput b. reduce costs d. eliminate human input

A

21. Which of the following is NOT an example of a technique to reduce input errors? a. Design input codes with special meanings b. Avoid human involvement c. User electronic data capture devices d. Capture data close to the source

A

24. A report that is used primarily for strategic decision making is called a(n) ____ report. a. executive c. exception b. key item d. summary

A

28. The major advantage of screen output versus printed output is that screen output ____. a. can be updated dynamically c. has more information b. is more user friendly d. is more secure

A

13. "When subsequent processing is delayed by more than a second or two, users may repeatedly press controls or reenter information, resulting in processing errors and user frustration" is an example of what? a. Lack of error handling c. Lack of closure b. Lack of feedback d. Lack of consistency

B

15. Users should not be required to keep track of information that they have previously entered. This is an example of what? a. Easy reversal of actions c. Good error handling b. Reduce short term memory load d. Dialogs that yields closure

B

19. Which of the following is NOT an input device used to reduce input errors? a. Magnetic card strip reader c. Touch screen b. Electronic keyboard d. Bar code reader

B

25. An external output that includes a portion that is returned to the system as an input is a(n) ____. a. output-input document c. return document b. turn-around document d. tear off and return document

B

30. One effective way to present large volumes of data is to summarize it and present it ____. a. in tabular form c. with control totals b. in graphical chart or diagram d. on a computer screen

B

9. A key principle of human-computer interaction (HCI), that states that the appearance of any control should suggest its functionality, is called ____. a. informative feedback c. consistency b. affordance d. visibility

B

17. One way to ensure consistency across the web pages of a web site is to implement the pages using _______. a. Device specific pages b. Menu items that are grouped appropriately c. Cascading style sheets d. Browser specific coding

C

18. What does XML stand for? a. Extended Module Links c. Extensible Markup Language b. External Machine Language d. Extensible Modern Language

C

23. A report that contains only information about nonstandard or out-of-bound conditions is a(n) ____ report. a. runtime c. exception b. error d. executive

C

26. A report that is printed to be used by persons outside of the organization is called a(n) ____. a. outside report c. external output b. non-sensitive output d. company report

C

31. Two of the most common graphical charting techniques are ____.

C

6. The study of human interaction with machines in general is called ____. a. human factors engineering c. human-computer interaction b. user-centered design d. usability

C

7. A metaphor of human-computer interaction, in which interaction with the computer involves browsing and entering data on electronic documents, is referred to as a ____ metaphor. a. desktop c. document b. direct manipulation d. dialog

C

11. Each dialog within the system should be organized with a clear sequence-a beginning, middle, and end. This describes which of the eight golden rules for designing interactive interfaces? a. Offer informative feedback b. Permit easy reversal of actions c. Support internal locus of control d. Design dialogs to yield closure.

D

16. A good design heuristic for menu design is to limit the menu choices to _____ choices. a. four to nine c. three to seven b. never more than seven d. five to ten

D

22. Reports that are not predefined by a programmer, but are designed as needed, are called ____ reports. a. one-time c. business b. quick and dirty d. ad hoc

D

27. The ability to link a summary field to the supporting detail, and to dynamically view that detail on a screen, is called ____. a. exploding report c. dynamic reporting b. windowing a field d. drill down

D

29. Electronic reports can provide a(n) ____ on the report to activate a lower-level report, which provides more detailed information. a. cursor link c. mouseover b. activation key d. hot spot hyperlink

D

4. A metaphor of human-computer interaction (HCI) in which interacting with the computer, is much like carrying on a conversation is called ____. a. desktop metaphor c. document metaphor b. direct manipulation d. dialog metaphor

D

5. Software (such as typical tax preparation software) which in essence interviews the user is following which user interface metaphor? a. Collaboration metaphor c. Interview metaphor b. Document metaphor d. Dialog metaphor

D

8. A key principle of human-computer interaction (HCI) that states that all controls should be noticeable and provide an indication that the control is responding to the user's action, is called ____. a. informative feedback c. consistency b. affordance d. visibility

D