PJS@GROUCH.JPL.NASA.GOV (Peter Scott) (05/18/89)
In designing graphical interfaces for programs using X, I am aware that there is a body of educated opinion and research that addresses the ergonomics of graphical interfaces, viz., such issues as what kind of widget (in our terminology) to use for various data types, effective use of fonts, point sizes, highlighting, color, contrasts, etc. I am looking for reference works on the subject; my personal reading list is inadequate on this point. I'm looking for stuff in print, not top-of-the-head feedback from programmers. Thanks. Peter Scott (pjs@grouch.jpl.nasa.gov)
klee@gilroy.pa.dec.com (Ken Lee) (05/18/89)
Computer human factors is well established discipline and there is, literally, tons of published material. The bottom line is that a good user interface really depends on the application's functionality and the user's skill and tasks. A good user interface can only be achieved through a detailed analysis of these, combined with some engineering based on "proven" methods and tools. Some good introductory books (in no particular order) to get you started: Norman & Draper, *User Centered System Design*, Lawrence Erlbaum, 1986. Schneiderman, *Designing the User Interface*, Addison-Wesley, 1987. Baeker & Buxton, *Readings in Human-Computer Interaction*, Morgan Kaufmann, 1987. Card, Moran & Newell, *The Psychology of Human Computer Interaction*, Lawrence Erlbaum, 1983. Heckel, *Elements of Friendly Software Design*, Warner, 1984. recent issues of *International Journal of Man-Machine Studies* recent proceedings of the ACM SIGCHI conference Good luck! Ken Lee DEC Western Software Laboratory, Palo Alto, Calif. klee@decwrl.dec.com
kent@gnomee.pa.dec.com (Christopher A. Kent) (05/25/89)
Start with "Readings in Human-Computer Interaction", y Baecker and Buxton. ISBN 0-934613-24-9. Chris Kent Western Software Laboratory Digital Equipment Corporation kent@decwrl.dec.com decwrl!kent (415) 853-6639