HCI

• Intuitive and easy to navigate

• Uses Windows. Icons, Menus, Pointers – easier for novices

• Help Guides and keyboard shortcuts for experts

• You do not have to learn complicated commands

• They let you exchange data between different software applications

• Takes a lot memory

• A lot of processor power is needed

• Slow for experts who just want to get things done: e.g. programmers

• GUIs take up a much larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces

• They need significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface types

• No need to learn a lot of commands

• Ideal for beginners – everything is in a logical place/order

• Little processing power needed

• Extremely easy to use. Someone who has never seen the interface before can work out what to do

• Step-by-step options are given so that the user doesn't have to remember anything

• Menu interfaces don't have to be visual, they can be spoken - good for telephones or for visually impaired people

• Poorly designed menu interface may be slow to use

• It can be irritating if there are too many menu screens to work through - users get annoyed or bored if it takes too long

• 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

• If the menu isn’t organised properly it could cause frustration trying to find things

• Can be tedious for experts

• Speech input is much faster than keyboard input NOT writing in

• No need to learn to type

• Less danger of RSI

• Reduces typing mistakes such as spelling / hitting wrong key

• Faster to issue commands (e.g. open word processor)

• People with a disability that prevents typing can use speech input / helps with dyslexia

• Hands free

• Increased security (setting a voice password).

• It takes a long time to train the computer to understand how someone speaks

• Background noise interferes with speech recognition – cannot use computer with music in background

• Unable to have a chat or use telephone and perform input at same time

• Computer will never know all the proper nouns, for example Nantyffyllon

• Will not understand user when they have a speech impediment, sore throat or cold NOT accept ill or reference to illness which does not affect voice.

• Will not understand user when they have a strong accent

• Will always need a keyboard for special keys e.g. function keys, ctrl, alt / to make alterations / as a backup if the voice recognition system fails

• People with a disability that prevents speech could use a keyboard

• Can’t use in a quiet environment like library or quiet train

• Can’t keep private as people can hear what you are saying so no good for entering passwords

• May not recognise words that sound the same such as ‘too’ and ‘two’

• Quicker to type commands

• Little memory needed

• Little processing power needed

• No need for expensive hardware

• 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 others

• A low resolution, cheaper monitor can be used with this type of interface

• For someone who has never used a CLI, it can be very confusing

• Commands have to be typed precisely. If there is a spelling error the command will fail

• There are a large number of commands which need to be learned

• You can't just guess what the instruction might be and you can't just 'have a go'.

• Each individual has unique biometric characteristics

• It’s difficult to forge biometric properties

• A biometric property of an individual cannot be lost

• Biometric properties cannot be shared

• Eliminate problems caused by lost IDs or forgotten passwords

• Reduce password administration costs

• Replaces hard to remember passwords which may be shared or observed by others

• Very expensive technology

• If biometric data is stolen, a fingerprint cannot be changed

• Security issues with storing biometric data

• Biometric identification systems undermine privacy

• Identity theft more likely

• For people affected with diabetes, the eyes get affected resulting in differences

• Biometrics is an expensive security solution

• A touch screen is very intuitive

• Easy to use as the user simply touches what they see on the display

• Save space as no keyboard or mouse is required

• Touch monitors can even be mounted on the wall

• Touching a visual display of choices requires little thinking and is a form of direct manipulation that is easy to learn

• Touch screens are the fastest pointing devices

• Touch screens have easier hand eye coordination than mice or keyboards

• No extra work space is required as with other pointing devices

• Difficult for people with accessibility issues: no feedback

• Can be easily damaged/scratched

• Dirty screens 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

• They cost more than alternative devices