Title: Instructions. Background: System component and build up it. Purpose: The lesson from this chapter is that the interface designer needs to be aware of the properties of the devices with which a system is built. This includes not only input and output devices, but all the factors that influence the behaviour of the interface, since all of these influence the nature and style of the interaction Software / Tools: No software, papers and pens. Procedure: Pick one of the following scenarios, and choose a suitable combination of input and output devices to best support the intended interaction. It may help to identify typical users or classes of user, and identify how the devices chosen support these people in their tasks. Explain the major problems that the input and output devices solve. Implementation: Task 1: (a) Environmental database A computer database is under development that will hold environmental information. This ranges from meteorological measurements through fish catches to descriptions of pollution, and will include topographical details and sketches and photographs. The data has to be accessed only by experts, but they want to be able to describe and retrieve any piece of data within a few seconds. (b) Word processor for blind people A word processor for blind users is needed, which can also be operated by sighted people. It has to support the standard set of word-processing tasks. Task 2: Examine eBay web browser and list the metaphors that have been incorporated into its design. Hint: look for icons, consider the names of widgets and other less visible parts of the browser and of pages which it displays, and consider what the key issues with the interface are and how you can improve it. Also mention the features that you note. Title: Instructions. Background: System component and build up it. Purpose: The lesson from this chapter is that the interface designer needs to be aware of the properties of the devices with which a system is built. This includes not only input and output devices, but all the factors that influence the behaviour of the interface, since all of these influence the nature and style of the interaction Software / Tools: No software, papers and pens. Procedure: Pick one of the following scenarios, and choose a suitable combination of input and output devices to best support the intended interaction. It may help to identify typical users or classes of user, and identify how the devices chosen support these people in their tasks. Explain the major problems that the input and output devices solve. Implementation: Task 1: (a) Environmental database A computer database is under development that will hold environmental information. This ranges from meteorological measurements through fish catches to descriptions of pollution, and will include topographical details and sketches and photographs. The data has to be accessed only by experts, but they want to be able to describe and retrieve any piece of data within a few seconds. (b) Word processor for blind people A word processor for blind users is needed, which can also be operated by sighted people. It has to support the standard set of word-processing tasks. Task 2: Examine eBay web browser and list the metaphors that have been incorporated into its design. Hint: look for icons, consider the names of widgets and other less visible parts of the browser and of pages which it displays, and consider what the key issues with the interface are and how you can improve it. Also mention the features that you