Human Computer Interaction (HCI, HCC) : An Introduction

Human Computer
Interaction (HCI, HCC)

AN INTRODUCTION
Human Computer
Interaction
Why are we here?
◦ It may seem trite, but user
interfaces matter: For efficiency,
for convenience, for accuracy, for
success, even for life and death
◦ The Vincennes, and Aegis RADAR system
Human Computer Interaction
Why are we here?
◦ It may seem trite, but user interfaces matter: For efficiency, for convenience, for accuracy, for success,
even for life and death
◦ The Vincennes, and Aegis RADAR system
◦ People time is more expensive than computer time (normally)

◦ Everyone has a story of a bad interface, and the trouble it caused
◦ A well-designed interface makes for a good system, and a happy (and efficient) user
(This is a bad interface)

Sub-discipline of the multi-discipline Human Factors and Ergonomics
◦ Psychology (many types)
◦ Design
◦ Engineering
◦ Social sciences
Both deal with the design of everyday (and not-so-everyday) things

Involve questions such as, but not limited to:
◦ Is it easy to use?
◦ Is it easy to understand?
◦ Is it easy to discover?
◦ Is it comfortable to use?
◦ Is it sensible to use?
Each word is important
In order to understand the discipline, we must understand:
◦ The Human
◦ The Computer
◦ The Interaction
These three components come together (interact!) to form what will hopefully be the User
experience
None of these components can be left out, or ignored, they are all required for the development
of a successful interface
A well-developed and designed interface is of singular importance, because it is the sole
gateway to any system
Human Computer
Interaction
For many years, this was not a
consideration
◦ In other words, what it was, was
nothing
Very early on, machines had to be

hardwired
For many years, this was not a consideration
◦ In other words, what it was, was nothing
Very early on, machines had to be hardwired

Later, commands were entered one line at a time
◦ Attempts were made to make this easier, but that was difficult due to technological limitations
◦ Some intuitiveness was included, but not much
◦ Still early, and in large part still the domain of hobbyists and scientists
◦ Cryptic, undecipherable code
◦ “The Software Crisis”
◦ Can have long-lasting impacts, as seen in the Y2K problem
However, this time period also saw expansion of the field of ergonomics, HCI, and the disciplines
involved
Originally used primarily for word processors and spreadsheets
◦ Still very cumbersome to use
◦ Often required many-key combinations to perform tasks
◦ Keyboard overlays were standard
◦ This was all a result of, but also evolution of, the interface
A slow movement away from technical manuals, and towards user manuals, was also budding
involved
involved
Most importantly, system and software design and development began to focus on the
experience, as opposed to just the hardware and software
◦ Usability
◦ Maintenance / Support
◦ Graphical interface
◦ All of which end at the user
◦ Understanding them
◦ Listening to them
◦ Designing for them
Usability is really the ultimate focus, the ultimate goal
But what does it mean?
The term is a nebulous, living thing
◦ Frequently changing
◦ Frequently expanding
◦ Frequently being added to
Usability doesn’t mean simply ‘able to be used.’

◦ Distinction between UI/UX
HCI’s multidisciplinary nature can lead to complexities in approach and definition

HCI (Human Factors, really) is also one of the most co-opted and diluted disciplines there is
◦ However that also gives it its strength
Human Computer
Interaction
Eventually, there was a sea change
◦ Xerox Star
◦ Apple Macintosh
◦ Microsoft Windows
Provided brand new methods of interaction
◦ WIMP
New interaction types
◦ Instructing
◦ Conversing
◦ Manipulating
◦ Exploring
This led to an explosion in HCI, in all areas
◦ New interaction methods
◦ New conceptual models
◦ Metaphors
◦ Affordances
◦ Increased accessibility, and also increased accessibility
◦ This also led to a host of new problems
Standards and guidelines have been developed and incorporated into interface design for
decades
However, two researchers have contributes sets of rules that have been tested, verified, and
incorporated more than any other
Jakob Neilsen
◦ 10 Usability Heuristics for Interface Design
Ben Schneiderman
◦ The Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design
Each of these are considered canon in the design field

The 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design
◦ Visibility of system status
◦ Match between system and the real world
◦ User control and freedom
◦ Consistency and standards
◦ Error prevention
◦ Recognition rather than recall
◦ Flexibility and efficiency of use
◦ Aesthetic and minimalist design
◦ Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
◦ Help and documentation
The Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design
◦ Strive for consistency
◦ Cater to universal usability
◦ Offer informative feedback
◦ Design dialogs to yield closure
◦ Prevent errors
◦ Permit easy reversal of actions
◦ Support an internal locus of control
◦ Reduce short term memory load
Usability goals
◦ Effectiveness
◦ Efficiency
◦ Safety
◦ Utility
◦ Learnability
◦ Memorability
User experience goals

◦ Desirable aspects
◦ Undesirable aspects
Eventually, there was movement beyond the PC
◦ How do we address the nearly infinite amount of objects we can store?
◦ Internet (Command to graphical, Lynx to browsers)
◦ Communication / Collaboration
◦ LOL U WOT M8
◦ Evolution and place of the computing environment
◦ Background devices
◦ Used by everyone (and why?)
◦ Significant functionality in individual devices
◦ Embedded systems
◦ With this evolution, the discipline evolves as well
Invention to Maturity
With the increase in user-generated content, and the evolution of ‘Web 2.0,’ there has become a
drastic increase in the need to access, manage, display, and manipulate the vast amounts of data
available to us
Ackoff addressed the handling of computer-generated information back in 1967
◦ Five assumptions
◦ Decision makers lack relevant information
◦ Decision makers need information they want
◦ Needed information leads to better decisions
◦ Better communication among decision makers leads to better decisions
◦ How the IS works is less important than how to use it
With the increase in user-generated content, and the evolution of ‘Web 2.0,’ there has become a
drastic increase in the need to access, manage, display, and manipulate the vast amounts of data
available to us
Ackoff addressed the handling of computer-generated information back in 1967
How did we do it before?
◦ File cabinets
◦ Ledgers
◦ Index cards / card catalog
Operating computers was a specialized affair

◦ Programmers
◦ Keypunchers
◦ Computer operator
1970s
◦ User manuals
◦ Testing labs
◦ Prototypes
◦ Goal-oriented design
1980s
◦ Research began on VDTs
◦ General design guidelines were first published
◦ ANSI standards were first developed
With the increase in user-generated content, and the evolution of ‘Web 2.0,’
there has become a drastic increase in the need to access, manage, display, and
manipulate the vast amounts of data available to us
As storage capacity increased, data increased, and our ability to use that data
increased
◦ Punch cards
increased
◦ Punch cards
◦ Magnetic media
increased
◦ Punch cards
◦ Magnetic media
◦ Optical media
increased
◦ Punch cards
◦ Magnetic media
◦ Optical media
◦ Cloud
increased
◦ Punch cards
◦ Magnetic media
◦ Optical media
◦ Cloud
◦ How do we interact with all this information?
Now, HCI applies to many types of systems, interactions, and experiences
◦ Medical information systems / equipment
◦ Accessibility (Blind, deaf, infirmed, incapacitated)
◦ Gaming
◦ Large information environments (cockpits, power plants)
◦ Social media
◦ Smart TVs
◦ Portable devices
◦ Education
◦ Military
◦ Hard sciences
◦ Business / Manufacturing
What about the future?
◦ Artificial intelligence
◦ Virtual reality
◦ Ubiquitous systems
◦ Autonomous vehicles (planes too? Maybe boats?)
◦ Cybernetics
How will we interact with these?

How will we design these systems so we *can* interact with them?
Ultimately, who will be in control? Can we maintain control? Do we want to?

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Human Computer

Interaction (HCI, HCC)

◦ People time is more expensive than computer time (normally)

(This is a bad interface)

Both deal with the design of everyday (and not-so-everyday) things

Very early on, machines had to be

Very early on, machines had to be hardwired

Usability doesn’t mean simply ‘able to be used.’

HCI’s multidisciplinary nature can lead to complexities in approach and definition

Each of these are considered canon in the design field

User experience goals

Operating computers was a specialized affair

How will we interact with these?

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