User:Natasa Siencnik/notes/gentner/

Abstract

Don Gentner / Jakob Nielson: The Anti-Mac Interface. In: Communications of the ACM. August 1996, Vol. 39, N°8.

Introduction

1. Alternative Interfaces
   • human interface is stuck, very little innovation in interface design anymore
   • user has settled on the WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointer) model
   • violating basic assumptions as useful mental exercise to find new concepts
   • article explores possible types of interfaces that could result in such a violation
   • focus on Macintosh interface as prime example of current interface paradigm
2. Macintosh Design
   • designed for naive users without any previous computer experience
   • targeted at a narrow range of applications (office work, entertainment, multimedia)
   • weak computational resouces (computer with 128KB RAM, 400KB storage device, printer)
   • supported by poor communication channels (screen, keyboard, mouse)

Human Interface Design Principles

1. • based on fundamental principles of human-computer interaction
   • how do these principles limit the computer-human interface?
2. Metaphors with familiar noncomputer world
   • computer files represented as documents in paper folders placed on desktop
   • files deleted by dragging them to the trash can
   • trying to overcome the limitations of the desktop metaphor (rooms, buildings, village)
   • automobiles have developed their own interfaces without metaphors based on horses
3. Three classic Problems with Metaphors
   • target domain has features not in the source domain (e.g. replace command in text editor)
   • source domain has features not in the target domain (e.g. marking of typewriters)
   • some features exist in both domains but work differently (e.g. white space as character)
4. Trash Can Metaphor