Question

Interaction styles are methods to communicate between users and machines through the user interface. List four types of interaction styles with at least two strengths and limitations of each style. Also, present one example screenshot of each interaction style

Answer 1

Question and answer: in this,questions are asked by the application and the user has to provide    answers.

strengths:helps application get the information it needs.

                    makes it easy for the user to know what the application needs.

limitations: user’s answers may be longer than the character space allocated to the question’s answer.

                    Questions may not be clear to the user.

Menus: Possible options available to the user are listed and the user is expected to choose from the options provided.

strengths:availability is made known.

                    time saving for the user.

limitations:display rate needs to be rapid.

                       can have long hierarchies.

example:menubar

Function keys: in this,the interection is made by a set of special key combinations for different operations.

strengths:task time reduced

                   less effort than typing

limitations:wrong key press may lead to unwanted action.

                      right combinations need to be remembered by the user.

example: Ctrl+C to copy

Graphical direct manipulation: Objects used in applications are represented graphically making it easy for the user to use them by directly clicking,dragging etc.

strengths:makes interaction direct as possible.

                    represents the state of the object.

limitations:displays objects which can be manipulated at that given time.

                      graphics may not be clear to the user.