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- 1.
- Metaphors from the real world
- Use concrete metaphors and make them plain, so
that users have a set of expectations to apply to computer environments
- Whenever appropriate, use audio and visual effects that support the metaphor
- 2.
- Direct manipulation
- Users want to feel that they are in charge of the computer's activities
- 3.
- See and point (instead of remember and type)
- Users select actions from alternatives presented on the screen
- The general form of user actions is noun-then-verb, or ``Hey, you - do this.''
- Users rely on recognition, not recall; they shouldn't have to remember
anything the computer already knows
- Most programmers have no trouble working with a command-line interface
that requires memorization and Boolean logic. The average user is not a programmer.
- 4.
- Consistency
- Effective applications are both consistent within themselves and consistent with
one another
- 5.
- WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
- There should be no secrets from the user, no abstract commands that only
promise future results
- There should be no significant difference between what the user sees on the
screen and what eventually gets printed
- 6.
- User control
- The user, not the computer, initiates and controls all actions
- 7.
- Feedback and dialog
- Keep the user informed
- Provide immediate feedback
- User activities should be simple at any moment, though they may be complex
taken together
- 8.
- Forgiveness
- Users make mistakes; forgive them
- The user's actions are generally reversible-let users know about any
that aren't
- 9.
- Perceived stability
- Users feel comfortable in a computer environment that remains
understandable and familiar rather than changing randomly
- 10.
- Aesthetic integrity
- Visually confusing or unattractive displays detract from the effectiveness
of human-computer interactions
- Different ``things'' look different on the screen
- Users should be able to control the superficial appearance of their
computer workplaces-to display their own style and individuality
- Messes are acceptable only if the user makes them-applications aren't allowed
this freedom
Next: 6.3 Principles of graphic
Up: 6 APPLE Human Interface
Previous: 6.1 A view of
2/23/1999