IT302-Unit7-
Kaplan University

Part1 – Introduction. The approach I used in unit 5 was a generic design which is flexible in nature with a basic layout planned so it can be easily molded, or modified to fulfill a variety of needs or applications. The wireframe associated with the design is shown without a supporting structure. The associated structure will be dictated by its application and placement. Part 2: Commentary Text. Commentary text should be selectable using different means. The most obvious means of selection is by the use of a designated help button. When touched this will display a help screen to provide a means for the customer to seek assistance. Additionally, this should also be accomplished by clicking the mouse curser on an item or text that information is desired on. All of these means should result in the same basic effect. The commentary text used in the presenting the product to potential customers has the potential of using a variety of text styles and sizes. Also in some cases color will be added to the text for emphasis or used to highlight items or attract the consumers’ interest. When initially presenting an item the text that is to be used will be designed in a manner to catch potential customers’ attention. This can be accomplished through the use of text styles that catch the eye, such as a change in size or creating an emphasis through the use of colors. Using a text style that draws attention may be desirable, but a certain amount of care in its selection is needed. Unless the design is highly energetic in order to accomplish or present a particular appearance, the text used should not be drastic in its style. While this can be effective in certain instances, it is not desirable for the bulk of presentations. Generally one of the more familiar fonts such as Times New Roman, Courier or other fonts that we are comfortable with will present the details of a product or service to the consumer in a more comfortable fashion. The same is true with the use of color. If we decide to select a color or colors for the font to create an effect, it needs to be done carefully. Rather that selecting colors at random, a contrast analyzer or some type of color wheel should be use to determine the best selection of colors we should use for the intended effect. Another consideration is the text that is used for specific applications. This would be the objects that we use to operate or make selections on the kiosk. For these our best choice is as my uncle says, use the “kiss” principle, or keep it simple, stupid. This is not to imply that the users are not capable of using or following difficult text on a screen or button, just simply to make it easier and more convenient for them. With regards to the controls that are used, not only should they be placed in a well-located position on the kiosk or display if located on the monitor, they should be large enough to see and operate easily. It is also desirable to keep the text clean and easy to read. While the designer may think that elaborate text reflects an experienced and practiced planner, it simply produces a control that is more difficult to read and easy to accidently select incorrectly. With the exception of text displayed on the screen that is designed to attract attention to the kiosk, or present an item or special situation the text that is displayed should be selected so it is easy to read. This can be accomplished by using fonts, such as the Serif or preferably Sans Serif types and small letters when appropriate which are generally easier to read. Staying on the subject and to the point will also provide a more effective presentation to the customer. Part 3: Help Text. Help text is essential when a kiosk is being used. Since it is likely that there may not be help readily available from personnel, the operator may have to rely on the help system that is programmed into the kiosk itself. In this case there are two different forms of help that may be used. The first is through the mouse or pointer that the user controls to maneuver around the screen. Typically clicking on an item or text with the mouse will take either display help text or take the consumer to a help menu. Additionally a help button may be available to allow the user to access the help menu as well. Help that is selected by the mouse is most likely to be contextual type help. Because this type of help is normally displayed via a popup window on the screen and the user typically does not need to leave the screen to receive assistance. Procedural help is utilized when more in depth help is needed. It is used to provide detailed instructions on the operation being conducted. This help is displayed in a window that is opened for its use when needed and closed when no longer needed which returns the display to its prior state. Reference help is utilized when there are issues involved that deal with the operation of the system. This likely would be utilized by a technician or other employee familiar with how the system works. This is also displayed in a window on the screen so that the system can return to where it was when the problem is resolved. Conceptual help is also a reference type of help. It provides background on the subject that is involved with the user interaction. If a higher level overview of the process in question required it is provided by Conceptual help. Hypertext is comprised of the two primary protocols associated with the World Wide Web. These are the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Through the use of Hypertext users can move to other resources that would normally not be directly available. References: Heim, Steven G. "Chapter 12, 12 Using Text in Interaction Design." The Resonant Interface: HCI Foundations for Interaction Design. Boston: Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2008.