Human Computer Interface

HUMAN – COMPUTER INTERFACE

1. A manufacturing company intends to use an information system to store details of its products and sales. The information system must be capable of presenting the stored information in a variety of ways. Explain, using three distinct examples, why this capability is needed. (6)

2. A travel agent uses an information system to help customers choose their holidays. The system is used by different types of user. Justify different user-interface features which would be appropriate for each of the following: a) customers, who can interrogate a local off-line system to find details of all the holidays on offer. b) travel agents, who use the system to make bookings. c) staff who set up the system and maintain the accuracy of the database. (10)

3. A different human-computer interface would be needed for each of the following users: a) a young child in primary school. b) a blind person. c) a graphic artist. i) For each user describe and justify an appropriate human-machine interface. (9)

4. User-interfaces have gradually become more and more oriented to the needs of users over recent years. a) Briefly describe three features of user interfaces which have been developed and explain how each has benefited the user. (3) b) Describe two ways in which user interfaces could be further developed to make computers more accessible and friendly to untrained users. (2) 5. Give three reasons why you think speech recognition is likely to expand in use. (3)

6. Many machines now offer a graphical user interface such as windows. a) Describe two features of such interfaces that are likely to be helpful to a non- technically minded user. (2) b) Give three disadvantages of this type of interface. (3)

7. Describe and justify a suitable human-computer interface for: a) a user of a bank ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) b) a games computer c) a teletext user d) a computer programmer (8)

8. A large entertainment and leisure complex has a wide range of facilities available including a cinema, live entertainment, indoor sports and exhibition facilities. They are considering introducing a computer based information system to be used by the general public who visit the complex to find out details of future events. a) Using an example describe how a user might interrogate the computer. (2) b) Describe a human/computer interface suitable for this system. (4) c) Describe the hardware required. (4) d) What steps must the complex owners take to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the information displayed. (4) 9. Many schools and colleges use local area networks of personal computers to allow their students to access packages and to store their files. Most students word process their assignments and use packages to assist their learning. Some students also learn to use database packages, and others write large programs for project work. a) List three of the main functions performed by a network operating system. (3) b) After logging onto the network, students are presented with a personalised graphical user interface (GUI). i) State two main features of a GUI. ii) Explain why a GUI is preferable to a command line interface. iii) Explain a benefit for the students of having a personalised GUI. (4) c) The college needs to upgrade the version of the word processing package currently in use. However the network manager asks the management to wait until the end of the academic year. State two reasons why this is a sensible request. (4)