USER INTERFACES FOR OFFICE SYSTEMS
Abstract
This paper surveys recent developments in the "top-level" interface for
interacting with office information systems. This is the level at which
users initially make contact with the system, and from which they invoke
subsystems for specific tasks such as text manipulation, mail, database
access, and so on. Although the style of the top-level interface need not
necessarily dictate that of the subsystems, it is generally agreed that
they should share a similar nature in order to achieve the effect of an
"integrated" system. Hence the top-level interface design has considerable
influence in determining the character of subsystems.
A number of top-level interfaces are described, providing a survey of
different interaction styles. Numerous references are made to published
accounts of commercial and research systems, with capsule descriptions of
typical examples. Illustrations of their use are included. As these
man/machine systems must match good design and user compatibility, an
introduction of interface design principles is included, although no
attempt is made to survey completely the myriad of published guidelines
and related human factors research.
Description
Keywords
Computer Science