Hohmann (p. 184) "Usability...
relates to the complex choices that users of the system make to
accomplish one or more tasks easily, efficiently (effectively (RR)),
enjoyably and with a minimum of errors."
Usability is another place where tarchitects and marketects
meet.
Quantitative & qualitative aspects.
Problem: examples
of both?
Usability is about money:
Unpleasant, inefficient & ineffective tools are not
happily used.
p. 185: "Poorly designed,
manipulative, and even hostile applications denigrate the users'
dignity and humanity."
Usable systems support or increase worker productivity and
satisfaction.
Training & help desks require resources.
Human Computer Interaction (HCI): subfield of Human Factors
Engineering (ergonomics).
Journals:
International Journal in
Human-Computer Studies.
Human-Computer Interaction.
International Journal of
Human-Computer Interaction.
Information Visualization.
Etc.
Physics:
Input:
Touch (finite and discrete).
Mouse (finite and discrete).
Typing (infinite but discrete).
Voice (infinite and continuous).
Handwriting recognition (infinite & continuous).
Etc.
Output:
Text.
Graphic (point, line, polygon).
Mental Models & Metaphors:
Direct manipulation: click/drag vs.imperative linguistic
(command-line)
Desktop (from above (norm) or oblique).
Experiments with dimensionality and spatialization:
