Interaction Style Categories

 

 

interaction style

mainly used in

main characteristics

Batch

batch processing,

email servers

does not require user intervention, works even when user and computer are in different time or place

question-

answer

line oriented

computer controls the user, so suited for casual use

Command Language

line-oriented

easy to edit and reuse command history. a powerful language can support very complex operations

Funcction Keys

full-screen, wimp

fast entry of a few standard commands, but limited flexibility

form fill-in

full-screen, wimp

many fields can be seen and edited at once

Menus

WIMP

frees the user from remembering options, at cost of potentially being slow or having confusing hierarchy

Direct Manipulation

wimp, virtual reality

user in control. enables metaphors from real world. good for graphics

non-command

future systems, Virtual Reality

the user is freed to concentrate on the domain and need not control the computer. computer monitors users and interprets their actions, so suited for cases where misinterpretations are unlikely or without serious consequences

Natural Language

future systems

ideally, allows unconstrained input to handle frequently changing problems