Operating Systems Flashcards
Menu driven interface
This type of interface allows people to interact with a computer system by presenting the user with a series of menus, and allowing the user to work through them. The iPod Classic is a perfect example of a device using a menu-driven interface. Users are first introduced to a menu containing a list of artists. Having chosen an artist, another menu appears with a list of albums belonging to that artist. Following this, another menu is presented with a list of songs belonging to the chosen album.
Advantages of menu driven interfaces
No need to learn a lot of commands
Intuitive/easy to understand
Easy to navigate
Ideal for beginners – everything is in a logical
place/order
No need for expert language to learn
Little processing power needed
Disadvantages of menu driven interfaces
Irritating if there are too many menu screens to work through – users get annoyed or bored if it takes too long
Navigating can be a long process
Voice driven interface
Voice-driven interfaces, or voice recognition, can be used to issue commands to a computer system and enter data into it. Voice-driven interfaces are popular as it’s natural for people to communicate in this way.
Advantages of voice driven interfaces
Speech input is much faster than keyboard input
No need to learn to type
Less danger of RSI (repetitive strain injury)
Reduces typing mistakes such as
spelling/hitting wrong key
Keyboard takes up room on the desk
Users with a disability that prevents typing
can use speech input
Hands-free advantages – can multitask
Users find talking more natural than typing
Disadvantages if voice driven interface
Background noise interferes with speech recognition
If user has a speech impediment, a sore throat, a cold or a strong accent, they will not be understood
Users with a disability that prevents speech would need to find a different method for input
Difficult to keep data input private as people can hear what you are saying
Words that sound the same, such as ‘too’ and ‘two’ may not be recognised
Command line interface
A command line interface is an entirely text-based interface that allows a user to communicate with a computer system by typing in commands. However, computer systems will only execute specific commands that are predefined.
Before GUIs were developed, command line interfaces were the most widely used interface.
Advantages of command line interface
Quicker to type commands
Quicker to input commands as shortcut keys
can be used
Little memory and processing power needed
compared with other interfaces
Little storage space is required (no graphical
images to store)
Experts who have memorised the commands
find it very fast to use
Disadvantages of command line interface
Very confusing for someone who has never used a command line interface
Commands have to be typed precisely. If there is a spelling error the command will fail
A large number of commands need to be learned
Instructions cannot be guessed
Not suitable for a novice
Touch sensitive interface
Touch sensitive interfaces are becoming more popular and are extensively used in mobile computing devices. Commands are issued or data is input by touching the screen with your finger or a stylus pen. As well as tapping the touch sensitive screen, the screen can interpret other actions made by the user, such as pinching and swiping.
Advantages of touch sensitive interfaces
Very intuitive
Easier to use as the user simply touches what is
seen on the display
No keyboard or mouse is required
Touching a visual display of choices requires little
thinking and is a form of direct manipulation that
is easy to learn
Easier hand-eye coordination than mice or
keyboards
Disadvantages of touch sensitive interface
Screen can be easily damaged/scratched
Dirty screens are difficult to read
Users must be within arm’s reach of the display
It is difficult to select small items
User’s hand may obscure the screen
Screens need to be installed at a lower position
and tilted to reduce arm fatigue
Some reduction in image brightness may occur
