(LAC.3) User Interfaces

What are the advantages to using a GUI?

- Easy to use, therefore good for novice users. - Commands are presented onscreen in menus, buttons and toolbars. - Good for more visual software, such as web authoring. - Better accessibility: able to be used by users with less mobility who may struggle with a keyboard.

What are the two types of user interfaces?

- Graphical User Interface (GUI) - Command-Line Interface (CLI)

What is an example of a GUI?

- Microsoft Windows

What are the disadvantages to using a CLI?

- Needs expertise. - User needs to remember the commands.

What are the disadvantages to using a GUI?

- Runs slower than a CLI because it has to process graphical information. - Slower to control than CLI because mouse and keyboard control takes more time than just keyboard control.

What accessibility features does a GUI have?

- Speech Recognition where the computer responds to verbal commands so there is no need for a physical input device. - Screen Reader Interface: where verbal feedback of what is on screen is given using text to voice software. - Magnifiers to make parts of the screen larger.

What is an example of a CLI?

- UNIX

What are the advantages to using a CLI?

- Uses less system resources than GUI. - For experts, this is a fast interface to use, especially as it is all keyboard controlled rather than mouse.

What does a GUI have?

A GUI has an interface where users can interact by using Windows, Icons, Menus & Pointers (sometimes known as a WIMP interface).

How is a GUI easy to use?

A GUI is easy to use and novice friendly. Interface is intuitive with graphics making it clear what everything does.

What does the GUI let the user do?

A GUI lets the user control a pointer using their mouse which allows them to click on windows, icons and menus in order to interact with the system.

What is an interface?

An interface is the system which a user uses to interact with a device.

What feature does a GUI use to improve the user interface?

The GUI uses WIMP (windows, icons, menus & pointers) for interacting and navigating.

Why is the user interface needed?

The user interface is what allows users to interact with a computer system.

How do we use a CLI to interact with a computer?

With a CLI we interact with the computer by typing in commands into a simple text-based screen.