Interface Standards International User Interfaces

1
Interface StandardsInternational User Interfaces

• Chapters 8 9

2
Consistency

• Between 25 50 of training can be reduced if
  interfaces are consistent

3
Consistency

• Benefits
• Ease of learning
• Ease of use
• Lower training time
• Fewer errors because users can predict what a
  system will do
• All these items mean fewer user frustrations and
  ? increased user satisfaction

4
Interface Standards

• Benefits
• Reduced requirements
• Supporting software will be easier
• And, if standards are used by developers, there
  should be an increase in usability
• But just using standards do not mean that
  interfaces will be more usability

5
Dangers --- oh no!

• There may be a conflict between taking the time
  required to develop a good common user interface
  versus the pressure to get the first product out
  the door.
• Solution make sure a formal written document
  states the standards at the start of a new
  program.

6
Usable In-House Standards

• Most developers will have to accept the in-house
  GUI standards

7
International User Interfaces

• These interfaces are to be used in several
  countries.
• Language translation and other cultures
  influences will present problems
• Soon the majority of software produced in the US
  will be for the international market.

8
International Graphical Interfaces

• Icons and color are not universal
• E.g., mailboxes look different in different
  countries
• Icons can be classifies into three categories
• Resemblance icons -- physical objects
• Reference icons -- represent the concept
• Arbitrary icons -- by convention

9
International Graphical Interfaces

• Only 13 recognized the Red Cross logo in Japan
• Checkboxes -- see Figure 22 in book
• Italic typefaces may not be appropriate in kanji.
  Should use shaded boxes.

10
Gestural Interfaces

• Gestures are used in virtual reality systems.
  They need to be examined for international
  usability.
• Okay???

11
Guidelines

• Characters
• Many countries have character sets beyond A-Z.
  Therefore, GUIs should allow for extended
  character sets.
• Sorting sorting special characters may be a
  problem. In Kanji sorting names are phonetically
  sorted in Goju-on order.

12
Guidelines

• Numbers Currency
• The decimal point is a period in some countries
  and a comma with others.
• Time
• D/M/Y or D/M-Y or M/D/Y
• Write out the name of the month with letters
  instead of giving numbers

13
Separate the GUI

• Separate the interface from the rest of the
  system
• Store the interface definition in a GUI
  (configuration) file. Or a separate part of the
  program.

14
Multilocale Interfaces

• If data moves between two counties, a good
  multilocale interface would allow a new locale
  and have the interface and data change
  appropriately.
• Sending prices
• the system should not compromise (or translate)
  the measurement units. E.g., US dollars into the
  local currency