1.6 system design Flashcards

1
Q

describe the criteria for evaluating a computer based solution

A
  • requirements: evaluate the solution against the original requirements, all requirements should be met for a solution to be successful
  • cost: evaluate the solution against costs which include financial costs, human costs and resource costs, a solution must not exceed any negotiated costs to be successful
  • robustness: evaluate the solutions against its test results, a solution should use error trapping and validation methods to successfully robust and reduce the chance of system errors and failures
  • usability: evaluate the solution against the ease of use for the end user, a solution should use an intuitive user interface suitable for the end user to be successful
  • performance: evaluate the performance of the solution, it should be fully optimised to reduce memory usage, a solution should complete a specific task within a given time frame to be successful
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2
Q

what are the advantages and disadvantage of voice input interface on a hand held device

A

advantages:
- speech is a natural way to interact, and it is not necessary to use a keyboard or work with a remote control
- no training required for users
- voice is hands-free making it suitable for use in a variety of environments (for example driving)
- suitable for the disabled
- can be used to drive several apps in sequence
- faster than typing on a keyboard

disadvantages:
- even the best speech recognition systems sometimes make errors
if there is noise or some other sound in the room
- regional accents can affect the outcome
- requires data connection to interpret speech and return results
- delivering sensitive information (eg. credit card details could be a security risk)
- only understands certain foreign languages

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3
Q

describe the benefits of speech recognition over a traditional keyboard and mouse

A
  • speeds up text input/ faster than typing
  • can be used by someone who is unable to type/ not a skilled typist/ disabled
  • allows to simultaneously do other tasks
  • takes up less room than a keyboard and mouse ( useful in mobile phones)
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4
Q

what benefits arise if a reliable natural language interface was developed and why is this difficult to achieve

A
  • a natural language interface would need very high processing power
  • natural language is used by most people and is very ambiguous and imprecise
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5
Q

what input methods could help users with different physical disabilities

A
  • speech recognition interface (SRI) can be used by someone unable to type
  • SRI may have difficulty with background noise/ interface/ can over hear others’ inputs
  • SRI may have difficulty with proper nouns/ ambiguity
  • foot controlled keyboard/ mouse
  • head/ eye movement detector
  • oversize keyboard
  • braille key overlays
    -screen readers can be used together with GUI
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6
Q

what output methods could help users with different physical disabilities

A
  • speech synthesis is useful for people with visual impairment
  • speech synthesis may pronounce words incorrectly
  • speech synthesis can be annoying/ obtrusive
  • speech synthesis may have heavy hardware performance requirements
  • screen output can use large/ clear fonts / clear colour contrasts
  • braille outputs may be possible - device punches paper with braille characters
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7
Q

what is a command line/ driven interface

A
  • interface where communications uses typed text, probably via a command prompt
  • still commonly used for example on servers and network devices
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8
Q

advantages and disadvantage of a command line/ driven interface

A

advantages:
- some commands can be entered very quickly and precisely once user is proficient/ an expert
- can run on very low spec computers that don’t have good graphical facilities
- can be used over slow connections ( eg. modems as very little data to transfer)
- complex/ unusual commands are often made available that wouldn’t be able available in a gui

disadvantages:
- not easy to guess commands that need to be entered
- can be difficult to learn
- not very attractive interface, rather unfriendly

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9
Q

what is a graphical user interface (GUI)

A
  • interface where communication is via screen elements such as windows, icons, menus, pointers
  • may use keyboard shortcuts (eg Ctrl+X for cut)
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10
Q

advantages and disadvantages of a GUI

A

advantages:
- user friendly, even inexperienced users can often guess what they need to do, no need to remember complex commands
- intuitive/ easier to learn
- windows: can be resized, minimised etc to allow more than 1 window to be viewed at the same time
- icons: small images to represent options , human brain can recognise options, human brain can recognise image quicker than words
- menus: easy to see all options in a pull-down menu
- pointer (mouse pointer): very natural human trait to point at things they want (point and click)
- cut and paste between applications
- similarity/ familiarity between applications
- help, undo, tutorials, customisation

disadvantages:
- ‘can get in the way’, sometimes requires several options to be clicked on to perform a task that would take seconds to type into a command driven interface
- needs a more powerful computer than command drive

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11
Q

what is a menu driver interface

A
  • the user is given a list of options and they make their choice via a simple selection key press
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12
Q

advantages and disadvantages of a menu driven interface

A

advantages:
- very easy to learn (selection required only)
- limited options, so the user will not get confused
- no need for a keyboard (actual or virtual)

disadvantages:
- only suitable where there are a few/ very limited options

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13
Q

what is a forms dialogue

A
  • the user fills in a form (online) to register their details or used as an advanced search option form
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14
Q

what are the advantages and disadvantages of a forms dialogue

A

advantages:
- rather like paper form (therefore intuitive)
- there are specific input fields to fill in
- can go back and make changes before the form is submitted
- undo and ‘are you sure?’
-includes validation so only some entries are allowed
- often able to reduce input options using radio buttons, drop down lists

disadvantages:
- good on screen help maybe required
- layout is important
- ensure form is uncluttered

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15
Q
A
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