Interface evolution (2)

Mayhew (1992)

Menu-based interaction

Hierarchically nested menus

+ Self explanatory
+ Requires little memory
+ Fewer keystrokes
+ Easy error handling
+ Visible Enhancements

- Inefficient execution of commands
- Inflexible (some)
- Impractical for numerous choices
- Screen real estate space a problem

Graphical User Interfaces

Shneiderman (1983), principles of direct manipulation:

Continuous representation of object of interest

Physical actions directly affect objects

Rapid, incremental and reversible operations

Objects encapsulated properties and behaviors similar to the real world

+ Easy to learn and remember
+ Direct, WYSIWYG
+ Flexible, easily reversible actions
+ Immediate context and visual feedback
+ Exploits visual-spatial cues
+ Less error prone

- Not always self-explanatory
- Sometimes inefficient
- Icon design can be difficult
- Graphical elements take up more screen estate than text