What does GUI stand for
Graphical user interface
How does a GUI work
A GUI is a user interface that allows users to communicate with computers through WIMP
What does WIMP stand for
Windows - it is an area on a computer that’s presented to the user.
Icon - it is a small picture presented to the user in the
screen. It represents a shortcut to a task or an application.
Menu - it groups similar or related tasks together. This allows the end user to locate related tasks in an intuitive way.
Pointer - it is an on-screen icon that moves around the screen in response to the users movements of the mouse.
Name 3 advantages of a GUI
- it is intuitive and user friendly because icons use familiar images so the task can be recognised by the user.
- The user doesn’t need to understand how the computer operates in order to complete a task
- it is supported by shortcuts in the form of keystrokes to help increase speed of operation for experienced users.
Name 3 disadvantages of GUI
- there is increased processing power, storage space and RAM are required to store a GUI
- there require more powerful graphics card to present a GUI than other interface types
- it can be restrictive and slow for experienced users.
What is a real life example of a GUI
Microsoft Windows
MacOS
How does a language interface work
It allows users to interact with the computer using a human language, such as English or Chinese, as opposed to using a computer language.
What are 3 advantages of a natural language interface
- it is suitable for users with limited technical experiences as you don’t have to remember specialised commands
- it is suitable for users with limited movements to interact devices
- it supports hand free interaction
What are 3 disadvantages of a natural language interface
- significant time has to be spent training interface to recognise voices
- The system only responds to voices it’s been trained to recognise
- instructions can be misinterpreted by the interface
What is a real life example of a natural language interface
Siri
How does a motion tracking interface work
It digitises your movements for use in computer softwares.
Name 3 advantages of motion tracking interfaces
- it can help make interactions with the system more realistic for the user
- it allows inexperienced users to interact with applications in a natural way
- it supports interaction with users who have limited motor control
Name 2 disadvantages of motion tracking interfaces
- it is a new technology so it is limited
- it is a high-end technology therefore expensive
What is a real life example of a motion tracking interface
Vr systems
How does touchscreen work
It works through the use of a stylus or using your fingers
What are 3 advantages of touchscreen
- touchscreen reduces the need for additional hardware and increases the portability of the device.
- it uses intuitive actions such as tapping the screen to interact with the users
- it easily cleaned
Name 3 disadvantages of a touchscreen
- if touchscreen is damaged interaction is affected
- small screens can make interaction difficult
- it is expensive
What is a real life example of touchscreen
Modern day phones
What does W3C stand for
World Wide Web consortium
Who are the w3c
Is it an international standards organisation
What do the w3c do
They aim to put standards into place to ensure the internet and mobile apps are accessible for all users.
What does it mean to develop cross-platform applications
It means building a single application that work on different platforms instead of creating multiple applications
Name 3 ways to improve cross-platform compatibility
- plugins, a software that adds functionality to existing application.
- pdf files, allows application to be viewed on any supporting platform
- optimised file formats, used to minimise the time taken to load the digital application.
