User Interface

Seminar Presentation on User Interface by Setty on 27th June, 2009 at Nyros Technologies, Kakinada.

1. WELCOME TO ALL

2. USER INTERFACE

3. Introduction:
•A function of the operating system that allows
individuals to access and command the
computer.
•User Interface(UI), the junction between a
user and a computer program.
•An interface is a set of commands or menus
through which a user communicates with a
program.

5. A Command Line Interface allows the user to
interact directly with the computer system by
typing in commands (instructions) into a screen
which looks similar to the one below:

6. These commands are very specific, for
example in DOS you could type in:
copy c:\item.txt   d:\
That tells the machine to copy the file 'item.txt'
that resides in the root directory of drive C: into
the root directory of drive D:\
Before Windows was developed, this type of
user interface was what most people used to
get the computer to follow instructions.

7. Nowadays, very few people have the
knowledge to be able to use a command line
interface.
An example of this type of interface is DOS
(Disk Operating System).

8.  If the user knows the correct commands then
this type of interface can be much faster than
any other type of interface.
 This type of interface needs much less
memory (RAM) in order to use it than other
user interfaces.
 This type of interface does not use as much
CPU processing time as the others do.
 A low resolution, cheaper monitor can be used
with this type of user interface.

9. For someone who has never used a command
line interface it can be very confusing.
Commands have to be typed in precisely, if
there is a spelling error the command will fail.
If you miss-type an instruction, it is often
necessary to start all over again.
There are a large number of commands which
need to be learned - in the case of Unix, it can
be hundreds.

10. This type of interface lets you interact with a
computer or device by working your way
through a series of screens or menus.

11. Think about your iPod or mobile phone,
they both use a menu driven interface.
You are presented with a menu, you make a
choice and then the next menu appears on
the screen. You make another choice and so
on.
Cash point machines (ATMs) are another
good example of a menu driven interface.

13. There are no commands to learn or remember.
Step-by-step options are given so that the user
doesn't have to remember anything.
Even if you don't know what to do, you can usually
guess you way around the options.
Menu interfaces don't have to be visual, they can
be spoken - good for telephones or for visually
impaired people.
They don't need huge amounts of processing
power or memory.

14. A poorly designed menu interface may be slow
to use.
It can be irritating if there are too many menu
screens to work through.
You often can't go to the exact place you want
right at the start. You have to work your way
through the menu screens even if you know
where you want to get to.

15. A graphical user interface is the most common
type of user interface seen today.
It is a very 'friendly' way for people to interact
with the computer because it makes use of
pictures, graphics and icons - hence why it is
called 'graphical'.

16. A GUI (pronounced gooey) is also known as a
WIMP interface because it makes use of:
Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers.
All modern operating systems have at least one
type of GUI. For example Microsoft Windows is
a GUI, Apple Macintosh has another. Linux has
a number of Graphical User Interfaces
available.

17. This type of user interface is extremely easy to
use, especially for a beginner.
You do not have to learn complicated
commands.
 There are usually good help facilities provided
with GUIs.
 They let you exchange data between different
software applications .

18. It requires larger amount of hard disk space
than other interfaces.
It needs significantly more memory (RAM) to
run than other interface types.
It uses more processing power than other
types of interface.

19. It is the job of a user interface to make a
program easy to use.
A good user interface should:
-Be attractive and pleasing to the eye.
-Be easy to use.
-Ensure all screens are consistent.

20. -Have all options clearly shown.
-Have clear warning messages when someone
makes a mistake.
-Have online help and support.

21. Thank You.