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Graphical systems burst upon the office with great promise. The simplified interface they presented was thought to reduce the memory requirements imposed on the user, make more effective use of one’s information-processing capabilities, and dramatically reduce system learning requirements. Experience indicates that for many people they have done all these things. Advantages The success of graphical systems has been attributed to a host of factors. The following have been commonly referenced in literature and endorsed by their advocates as advantages of these systems: Symbols recognized faster than text. Research has found that symbols can be recognized faster and more accurately than text, and that the graphical attributes of icons, such as shape and colour, are very useful for quickly classifying objects, elements, or text by some common property. An example of a good classification scheme that speeds up recognition is the icons developed for indicating the kind of message being presented to the user of the system. The text of an informational message is preceded by an “i” in a circle, a warning message by an exclamation point, and a critical message by another unique symbol. These icons allow speedy recognition of the type of message being presented. Faster learning. Research has also found that graphical, pictorial representation aids learning, and symbols can also be easily learned. Faster use and problem solving. Visual or spatial representation of information has been found to be easier to retain and manipulate, and leads to faster and more successful problem solving. Symbols have also been found to be effective in conveying simple instructions. Easier remembering. Because of greater simplicity, it is easier for casual users to retain operational concepts. More natural. Graphic representations of objects are thought to be more natural and closer to innate human capabilities. In human beings, actions and visual skills emerged before languages. It has also been suggested that symbolic displays are more natural and advantageous because the human mind has a powerful image memory. Exploits visual / spatial cues. Spatial relationships are usually found to be understood more quickly than verbal representations. Visual thinking is believed to be better than logical thinking. Fosters more concrete thinking. Displayed objects are directly in the high-level task domain, or directly usable in their presented form. There is no need mentally to decompose tasks into multiple commands with complex syntactic form. The need for abstract thinking is therefore minimized. Provides context. Displayed objects are visible, providing a picture of the current context. Fewer errors. More concrete thinking affords fewer opportunities for errors. Reversibility of actions reduces error rates because it is always possible to undo the last step. Error messages are less frequently needed. Increased feeling of control. The user initiates actions and feels in control. This increases user confidence and hastens system mastery. Immediate feedback. The results of actions furthering user goals can be seen immediately. Learning is quickened. If the response is not in the desired direction, the direction can be changed quickly. Predictable system responses. Predictable system responses also speed learning. Easily reversible actions. The user has more control. This ability to reverse unwanted actions also increases user confidence and hastens system mastery. Less anxiety concerning use. Hesitant or new users feel less anxiety when using the system because it is so easily comprehended, is easy to control, and has predictable responses and reversible actions. More attractive. Direct-manipulation systems are more entertaining, clever, and appealing. This is especially important for the cautious or sceptical user. May consume less space. Icons may take up less space than the equivalent in words. More information can often be packed in a given area of the screen. This, however, is not always the case. Replaces national languages. Language-based systems are seldom universally applicable. Language translations frequently cause problems in a text-based system. Icons possess much more universality than text and are much more easily comprehended worldwide. Easily augmented with text displays. Where graphical design limitations exist, direct-manipulation systems can easily be augmented with text displays. The reverse is not true. Low typing requirements. Pointing and selection controls, such as the mouse or trackball, eliminate the need for typing skills. Smooth transition from command language system. Moving from a command language to a direct-manipulation system has been found to be easy. The reverse is not true. Atin Dasgupta is director and founder of Leveljam. Web Design Company Mumbai Leveljam is an internet services agency from Mumbai, India focussed on providing cutting edge design and business solutions to the services & manufacturing sector with innovative approaches and advanced methodologies. Our Services include Web Design & Branding, Logo Design, Flash Animation, Application Development, Website Development, E-commerce Development, Content Management Solutions, Mobile Applications Development, Search Engine Optimization, Internet Marketing Solutions, Social Media Visibility & Management, Technical Support and Customer Service. For more information please visit our website www.leveljam.com
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