Designing Human Interfaces for Operating Systems - Essay Example

Designing Human Interfaces for Operating Systems Introduction: With the advent in technology, mankind has been able to invent and re-invent their daily life as well as the way they live. With the introduction of computers, it was possible for humans to make use of a highly innovative machine to perform complex tasks and functions. These machines were supercomputers, however, only people with highly advanced skills and computer background could handle or use them. Furthermore, these computers were designed for such users alone, and had no meaning in the life of a common man. Keeping that in mind, developers created a new machine, which was simple to use and that could perform a wide range of tasks and functions, thus targeting the general audience. Since then super computers have been transformed several times, first to desktop computers, then laptops and now cutting edge tabs and pads, thus becoming widely used and an inevitable part of the human life. However, the science behind computers is quite enthralling and it makes a person wonder how exactly a machine is able to perform such complex tasks within mere seconds. First of all it is quite clear that computers do not understand human language, or High Level Language (HLL), and at the same time, humans do not understand machine language, which is basically in binary codes. Thus, it becomes clear that between the computer and the person or user, there needs to be a translator that can translate the languages in order for both parties to understand the other. In case of computer, this is done by the program translators, which consists of assembler, compiler and interpreter. Thus, it becomes clear that by converting high level language and program language into machine language, the computers can understand what the user tries to communicate, and similarly, by converting machine language into program language or high level language, the user can make sense of what the computer is communicating. However, there still needs to be a platform where these communications can take place. This is where the operating systems of computers come into play, as it is them that provide a basic platform for the user to interact with the computer system through interface or human interface. Therefore, it becomes clear that the design of operating systems and human interfaces need to be done in a way that it enable maximum utilization to the user. Operating System (OS) and Current User Interfaces: An operating system is a software program, which facilitates the management of “hardware and software resources of a computer” and performs tasks including “controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files” etc (Mamčenko, n.d., p.2). OS is the elemental part of a computer system and it is based on this feature or attribute that the user is satisfied with the particular computer system. Operating system is a collection of wide ranging programs and each and every program has its own user interface. Based on the user interface, operating system can be primarily divided into two, namely, Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Command Line Interface (CLI) (Mamčenko, n.d., p.3). Where the former relates to a more graphical approach, where user can interact with the computer using the mouse and its cursor, the latter relates to commands, which the user is supposed to study and use appropriately. GUIs do not require user to study or heart any commands, but the latter calls for codes and commands which user must learn in order to get the tasks executed. Throughout history operating systems have undergone several modifications, and an interesting fact is that before 1960s, computer systems had no operating systems at all. However, in the present scenario, a computer cannot function without an operating system. The current operating systems have a wide array of features ranging from “communications, built-in database support, transaction processing, system security” etc, and these features make it quite useful for people belonging to different job backgrounds as well as for family use (DuCharme, 2001, p.1). There are several prominent examples for operating systems and these include the Windows, Linux, the present age most coveted Mac OS etc. Even within these operating systems there are a lot of different versions, for example, Windows has versions Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 etc. In case of Mac OS, there is Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Mountain lion, Mac OS X Mavericks and so on. In order to understand the how these different operating systems work as well how they are different from each other, one needs to closely study the features its provides as well as the functions that it enables. Windows The three basic interfaces available for Windows OS interactions are the GUI interface based on windows, icons, and graphics; the command prompt, which is the earliest text-mode interface to the Windows OS, and windows PowerShell, the newest interface to the windows systems that provides exceptional power in scripting and automation. The Windows GUI is composed of windows, buttons, text boxes, and other navigational elements. Windows PowerShell is the new command-line interface. Many Microsoft technologies now come with a complete set of cmdlets (the name for commands in the PowerShell interface). LINUX LINUX provide graphical user interface and command line interface. Linux provides two GUIs such as GNOME or the K Desktop Environment (KDE). But there are also GUIs like LXDE, Unity and Cinnamon. Macintosh OS The Apple Macintosh was the first commercially successful use of a GUI, launched in 1984. MAC computers are stylish, flexible, easy to setup, easy to maintain and powerful. OS X builds on this foundation, “combining a reliable core with an intuitive design, stunning graphics, excellent security and the features users want” (Apple, 2013, p.13). OS X facilitates the execution of several tasks related to app-management so that users only need to focus on the contents. Other advantages of MACOS include full screen windows, multiple displays with different resolutions, single menu bar (with app-specific menus including apple menu, spotlight icon, app menu and a window menu). Thus it becomes clear that in the modern day, there are a lot of different types of operating system and these types have different versions. Thus such developments in the filed of the operating system alone and the availability of a wide range of operating systems, as well as their further innnovation emphasizes the fact that it is a gravely crucial element of a computer system. Limitations of Modern Operating Systems: Even though there are a lot of good operating systems with good human interface facilities, day by day, the needs of users are changing and users want new and advanced interfacing facilities. So there is a great demand for improving the design of interfaces. If asked to list out various limitations or shortcomings, it is actually quite not possible, as there are no shortcomings as such. This is further validated by Watson, as he asserts, “modern operating systems do not have any practical limits” but however, there may be “limitations imposed by the underlying hardware environment” (Watson, Ramklass & Bryla, 2009, p.173). However, just by considering this factor, it cannot be said that operating systems do not need improvement since they do not have any practical shortcomings. Thus, it transpires that there is need for improvement not to solve existing problems, but to incorporate new features into these operating systems. However, there are problems arising out of poor and bad user interfaces, and these problems faced by the general public led to the development of the term “computer rage” (“Introducing User Interface Design,” n.d., p.7). The term came into being after a study named Rage against the Machine was conducted by Compaq in 1999, and it revealed that frustration level of workers was “rising” due to “workplace technology” (p.7). The study further showed that the workers were becoming quite abusive against the computer system as well as the information technology not only verbally but also physically. Another study, conducted in 2002, by British Telecom (BT) Home Computing found that “70%” of people using personal computer suffered from “PC rage” due to a wide variety of interface and operating system problems such as “crashing, virus infection” etc (p.7). What stands between the solving of these problems as well as development of better user interfaces is basically the lack of knowledge of the source of problem faced by users. The various computer problems that they confront may arise due to “buggy software,” use of “older, less efficient hardware or technology” etc, and thus it is not exactly clear if it is a problem arising as a result of “poorly designed user interface” or operating system (“Introducing User Interface Design,” n.d., p.8). Furthermore, poorly designed user interfaces made available on the operating system contribute to factors such as “loss of productivity” and “efficiency” of the workers, as well as entail in a financial burden for them (p.9). Thus, there arises a need to conquer such problems and provide the users with a better platform, where, firstly, no issues like this exist, and secondly, where if in case any issues do arise, the source of the problem can be known. Strategies of Improving Current Human Interfaces: The various limitations of modern user interfaces as well as the challenges presented by them have been discussed above. Thus it becomes clear that developers of the human interface design need to come up with ways through which they can conquer these problems. As the use of computers has become quite widespread, the developers need to introduce new platforms or modify existing ones in order to cater to the wide array of needs of the end user. Thus, this calls for the computer’s operating system as well as the user interface to be developed with keeping in mind, the needs and requirements of the end user. When the interfaces are designed with good knowledge about the users, ultimately the users will benefit from it as they can get all their tasks executed. For this, developers have come up with various methods such as User Centered Design (UCD), involving users in the development process, making the process of design iterative etc. The UCD refers to an approach where the designing of the user interface is done by focusing on understanding the users who are going to be using the particular operating system, as well as “understanding of the tasks” that users will perform with the particular system (“Introducing User Interface Design,” n.d., p.15). Furthermore, the developers also need to estimate what environment the user will be working in, such as, organizational, physical, social etc. The Human-Centered Design Processes for Interactive Systems has provided a guidelines that list out main principles that are need to be followed while designing user interfaces (p.15). By appropriately following these guidelines, the developers can design a good user interface, which can cater to all the needs of the respective user. The four main principles stated in the UCD are: 1. “The active involvement of users 2. An appropriate allocation of function between user and system 3. The iteration of design solutions 4. Multidisciplinary design teams” (p.15). On the other hand, the four major human centered design activities which when followed ensure the creation of a good user interface are as follows: 1. “Understanding and specifying the context of use 2. Specifying the user and organizational requirements 3. Producing design solutions (prototypes) 4. Evaluating designs with users against requirements” (p.15). The basic method or strategy to improve a user interface is to involve users during every stage of development of the design of the interface. The developers need to ask about the users view of the interface and understand what it is that the users expect from the interface. Developers also need to have a clear idea about who the users are and what tasks they want to get done through the computer systems. The multidisciplinary design team, which includes users, design team managers, graphic designers, various programmers, HCI specialists etc when work together, can definitely create an extremely useful and innovative user interface that can facilitate a user interface which can get all the user requirements accomplished. Future Design of Human Interfaces: The modern day human interfaces can be modified to a large extend with the advancement in technology and it cannot be anticipated what exactly the future of operating system and user interfaces has in store for the general public. However, there can be estimations such as the improvements in graphic displays and input. The graphic displays can create better virtual environments, categorized as “immersive displays,” which can literally “surround the user with graphics” (MacIntyre & Feiner, 1996, p.256). In case of input, already the smartphones have brought the technology of voice input onto fore, this further can be introduced in the user interfaces of operating systems as well. Furthermore, haptic displays can also be an element of future user interfaces, and these displays will respond to the user’s “sense of touch and temperature” as well as “sensations of force and torque” (MacIntyre & Feiner, 1996, p.259). Conclusion: User interfaces and operating systems are important parts of a computer system that basically define its usage for different types of users. User interface designs needs to be developed in such a way that they cater to the needs and requirements of all kinds of users. Thus programmers and developers need to keep in mind who the users are as well as what tasks and functions they want the operating system to perform. Keeping this in mind, the developers can make good user interfaces, which will help the user to get his or her task done in a much better and easier way. The history of user interface shows a lot of transformations over the year, and it is cannot be stressed enough that the future holds a lot of different avenues for better and more efficient user interfaces. Reference List Apple. (2013). OS X Human Interface Guidelines. Retrieved on 2 Apr 2014, from: DuCharme, B. (2001). The Operating System Handbook or, Fake Your Way Through Minis and Mainframes. Retrieved on 2 Apr 2014, from: “Introducing User Interface Design,” (n.d.). Retrieved on 2 Apr 2014, from: MacIntyre, B & Feiner, S. (1996). Future Multimedia User Interfaces. Multimedia Systems, 4, 250-268. Mamčenko, J. (n.d.). Lecture Notes on Operating Systems. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Retrieved on 2 Apr 2014, from: Watson, J., Ramklass, R & Bryla, B. (2009). OCA/OCP Oracle Database 11g- All in One Exam Guide. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Read More