THE SURVEYEXPLORING USER INTERFACE

BACKGROUNDThe importance of a well-designed user interface

User interfaces? What are user interfaces? A user interface is the separating factor between human and device interaction. It is probably the most crucial part of any device/app as it determines how easily you can make the device/app do what you want it to do. It wouldn’t be of any use having the world’s most powerful super-computer if you couldn’t figure out how to make it work.

User interfaces are broken up into two main parts:

• Graphical User Interfaces (GUI)

• Text based user interfaces (TUI)

Graphical user interfaces (GUI) are the standard for most devices as it is more suited to the general public. It makes use of icons and pointers; this allows users to simply select what they wish the device to do.

Text based user interfaces (TUI) are a more specialized form of computer interfaces because the user is required to have knowledge of “coding” in order to use the device in any way. However, Text based interfaces allow the user to wield more control over the system and it also uses computing resources much more efficiently as a large portion of resources are not used for storage of icons and pre-coded commands.

The survey below aims to observe how much the general populous knows about user interfaces and how they are influenced by these user interfaces into buying certain . The results will provide us with information on their personal preferences and opinions on these user interfaces, allowing us to make recommendations regarding the

PURPOSEThe survey below aims to observe what the students surveyed understood about user interfaces, how they would improve their user interface and on what, be it device brand or operating system, they base their buying decisions. The survey also suggests what students consider popular computer operating and mobile operating systems and could aid others in deciding which systems to use. The survey also suggests future choices by software and cellphone companies as to how to improve their products to suit the desires of the populace.

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Option 130.77%

Option 227.69%

Option 33.08%

Option 438.46%

Q1: How would you define the term ‘user interface’? Choose one of the definitions given below based on your opinion:

Answered: 65 Skipped: 0

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4

THE OPTIONS• Option 1: The aspects of a computer system or program which can be seen (or heard or otherwise

perceived) by the human user, and the commands and mechanisms the user uses to control its operation and input data.

• Option 2: Visual part of computer application or operating system through which a user interacts with a computer or software.

• Option 3: A person's control of a software application or hardware device.

• Option 4: The space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of this interaction is effective operation and control of the machine on the user's end, and feedback from the machine, which aids the operator in making operational decisions.

THE ANALYSIS

• Those surveyed varied markedly in their opinion as to what the term ‘User Interface’ meant. 38.46% opted for what we personally define the term ‘user interface’ to mean, being the factor or space between which human and device interaction occurs. This was option 4. Option 1 was the second highest definition chosen at 30,77%, followed by Option 2 and Option 3 at 27,69% and 3,08% respectively. The knowledge of what a user interface is should be actively taught so as to increase a uniform understanding amongst students (perhaps through courses such as Information Systems.)

Option 1

Option 2

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

92.19%

7.18%

Q2:Which interface do you prefer when using a computer?Answered: 64

Skipped: 1

Response2

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Graphical user interfaces

• Option 2: Text based user interfaces

THE ANALYSIS

• There was no doubt in many of the surveyed minds as to what type of user interface they preferred! The use of Graphical interface was accepted by 92.19% of those who answered the survey. Text based user interface garnered 7,8% of the vote. The suggestion here is clear; humanity thrives on the visual and the creative. Developers of future user interfaces should concentrate on creating visually and aesthetically pleasing interfaces in order to continue to attract potential and current consumers of electronic devices.

Option 171%

Option 222%

Option 33%

Option 43%

Q3:Which operating system do you prefer?Answered: 63

Skipped: 2

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4

THE OPTIONS

• Windows 7 or 8

• Mac OS X

• Linux

• Ubuntu

THE ANALYSIS

• Option 1: Windows 7 or 8, occupies a large slice of the pie at 72%. It is unclear why this is the case for although the Mac system began two years before Windows (1993 compared to 1995) Mac has not, at least amongst this group surveyed, found as much favour as Windows. Windows is competitive in terms of user interface as many attest to with its recent Windows 8 release, described as a ‘shiny new Metro interface’. Option 2: Mac OS X scored 22% and Linus and Ubuntu both stand at 3%. An influencing factor could be the ‘target audience’ of this survey, comprising mostly of students. Perhaps Windows provides a user interface and operating system for student life unlike the other operating systems on laptops and computers. The Apple industry has been gearing its iPads toward students and this could be the reason why students (who may not yet own iPads) do not support Mac software as much as Windows when put to a comparison. Operating systems such as Ubuntu and Linus, who do not have the reputation of Window’s, should find ways to cater for students and student life, thus increasing their usage amongst this population group.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00%

Option 1; 61.90%

Option 2; 28.57%

Option 3; 1.59%

Option 4; 7.94%

Q4:Which mobile operating system do you prefer?Answered: 63

Skipped: 2

Responses

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Android

• Option 2: iOS

• Option 3: Symbian

• Option 4: Blackberry OS

THE ANALYSIS• The decision was once again clear cut as many of those surveyed chose Android as their preferred operating

system. Option 1: Android scored 61.9%, Option 2: IOS scored 28.57%. Option 3: Symbian scored the lowest at 1.59% and Option 4: Blackberry OS scored 7,94%. Symbian likely did badly in this survey due to its lack of popularity and relative infamous status amongst such giant mobile operating systems like Android, iOS and Blackberry, who are more advertised and spoken about. Android, with such a margin, can be considered to be doing something right and this could possibly relate to the general instability found within the iOS and Blackberry systems. There have been loud complaints about Apple’s new system iOS 7 for example, with complaints ranging from system crashes to messages being unable to send between devices with the new software and those with the old. Blackberry rose to great heights in popularity but has since fallen away in the development rat-race. Symbian should improve its marketing and brand awareness strategy to compete with the other better-known brands, the iOS system should improve its dependability and Blackberry should ‘catch-up’ to other mobile operating systems in terms of user interface quality and smart phone capability if it wishes to find favour amongst students and others once more.

Option 175%

Option 23%

Option 322%

Q5:How comfortable are you with user interface?Answered: 63

Skipped: 2

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Very comfortable. I find it easy, fast and effective to use

• Option 2: I find it difficult to use, slow and not very effective at all

• Option 3: I am not very sure

THE ANALYSIS

• The use of technology today is worldwide. It has become pivotal in aiding the human interaction and communication; its use begins at an early age, from computer games and cellphones, to the more business and work use of cellphone and laptop calenders, notebooks and presentations. It is almost predictable therefore that most of those surveyed, at 75% would be comfortable with the use of user interfaces.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

Option 1; 73.02%

Option 2; 3.17%

Option 3; 23.81%

Q6:How responsive is your user interface?Answered: 63

Skipped: 2

Responses

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Highly responsive

• Option 2: Poorly responsive

• Option 3: Not too responsive but responds well enough

THE ANALYSIS

• The results of this question links closely to the result in the previous question, which asked users if they were comfortable with user interface. Of those surveyed, 75% found user interface comfortable to use. This question shows that 73,02% find their user interface responsive to them. This is an expected result as those comfortable with the use of their user-interface can reasonably be expected to find it responsive to them, responsive in terms of ease of use and of interesting interactions. A relatively small percentage found their user interface not highly responsive, but responsive enough; this was 23,81% of those surveyed. Those dissatisfied students should find a user interface that better suits them and readily meets their needs.

Option 113%

Option 219%

Option 336%

Option 433%

Q7:How would you improve your user interface?Answered: 63

Skipped: 2

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Use contract to manage focus

• Option 2: Add more colour to manage attention

• Option 3: Add custom input focus

• Option 4: Use familiar patterns and be consistent

THE ANALYSIS

• Both Option 3 and Option 4 were both highly regarded suggestions (at 36% and 32% respectively) as to how those surveyed would improve their user interface. Option 3, add custom input focus scored the highest. Input focus is the actual active window that users of operating systems see when they input ‘events’ i.e. press a button or type. This then relates to the earlier conclusion drawn about human society: that is it one stimulated by the visual. Students would improve the way they see their user interface thus proving that the visual is an important factor to the student life. Almost of equal importance is option 4, the use of familiar patterns and being consistent. Again this could link closely to ‘unstable’ operating systems such as iOS not being popular amongst these surveyed students. Relating to Blackberry, Symbian and other unpopular operating systems/mobile operating systems, those companies should look to improving their custom input focus and consistency in order to outfit themselves in a more enticing manner to students.

Option 1

Option 2

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

Option 1; 52.38%

Option 2; 47.62%

Q8: Do you choose your mobile devices based on the device brand (e.g. Samsung/iPhone) or on the operating system (e.g. iOS/Android)?

Answered: 63 Skipped: 2

Responses

THE OPTIONS

• Option 1: Device Brand

• Option 2: Operating System

THE ANALYSIS

• The results to this particular question in the survey promised to prove telling, as it was a question that asked what those surveyed based their product buying decision on and would thus prove either Brand-power or Operating system power. Amongst those surveyed the two options were closely contested, with the Device brand scoring the highest at 52,38% and Operating systems 47,62%. This result suggests that students trust in and think first of the reputation of the brand name to provide them with a pleasing and useful user interface, more so than they think of Operating system. This could tie in with ‘teenage’ culture which revolves around owning the popular device (an example would be the time that many would buy a Blackberry because others owned one and not because it was the best on the market). Students should perhaps consider more often the factor of operating system as it is the true reflection of user interface and would thus provide a more satisfying purchase than one based on popular trends.

SUMMARY• To summarize, many students believe that user interface is the space where interaction between humans and machines

occurs. This ‘space’ is preferred by a majority of those surveyed to be the Graphical user interface, suggesting that students respond better to visual than to textual stimuli. Windows perhaps provides the user interface that students most like in computers and laptops, as it is the operating system that was largely desired over other operating systems. It is possible that Windows caters to student needs more so than Mac, and this could be due to the fact that Apple’s iPads are geared toward education and not its notebooks. Android is the preferred mobile operating system amongst this survey group and this could be attributed to the stability of Android and its good user interface. Most of the people surveyed are comfortable with their user interface; this makes sense as the world today is technically inclined. Tied to this is the ease of use of those interfaces and the quality of interaction, as most found that their user interface was highly responsive. Students would choose to improve the visual aspects of their user interface, tying in with the deduction that humans are, in general, visually responsive people. Finally, users base their device choices on brand name more so than on operating system, in terms of their first inclination toward buying a product. This is a reflection of the ‘popularity’ contest reflected in teen culture, in that people must have the devices that others have to be considered as ‘in’.

User interface can thus be seen to have a huge impact on the devices of today as well as consumer choices.