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Questions and Answers
What advantage does the mouse provide as a pointing device?
What advantage does the mouse provide as a pointing device?
What is a disadvantage of using a mouse on a desktop?
What is a disadvantage of using a mouse on a desktop?
Which method detects motion in a mechanical mouse?
Which method detects motion in a mechanical mouse?
What is a common issue with novice users of a mouse?
What is a common issue with novice users of a mouse?
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Which of the following is a feature of optical mice?
Which of the following is a feature of optical mice?
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How does the mouse influence the user’s interaction with the screen?
How does the mouse influence the user’s interaction with the screen?
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What specific aspect improves the effectiveness of the mouse as a pointing device?
What specific aspect improves the effectiveness of the mouse as a pointing device?
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What is one of the key benefits of using a mouse compared to other input devices?
What is one of the key benefits of using a mouse compared to other input devices?
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Which advantage is associated with touch-sensitive screens?
Which advantage is associated with touch-sensitive screens?
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What is a significant disadvantage of using a stylus?
What is a significant disadvantage of using a stylus?
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Which type of device is a trackball considered to be?
Which type of device is a trackball considered to be?
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What is a primary use of joystick controls?
What is a primary use of joystick controls?
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Which issue is typically faced when using cursor keys?
Which issue is typically faced when using cursor keys?
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What technology allows eyegaze control interfaces to operate?
What technology allows eyegaze control interfaces to operate?
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What is a common application of foot controls mentioned?
What is a common application of foot controls mentioned?
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Which statement about touchpads is true?
Which statement about touchpads is true?
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What main function do input devices like the mouse serve in a computer system?
What main function do input devices like the mouse serve in a computer system?
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Which of the following is NOT typically considered an input device?
Which of the following is NOT typically considered an input device?
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How do keyboards typically send character codes to the computer?
How do keyboards typically send character codes to the computer?
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What is a potential disadvantage of the QWERTY keyboard layout?
What is a potential disadvantage of the QWERTY keyboard layout?
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What do alternative keyboard layouts aim to improve compared to QWERTY?
What do alternative keyboard layouts aim to improve compared to QWERTY?
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Which statement best describes the evolution to interactive computing from the past?
Which statement best describes the evolution to interactive computing from the past?
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Which of the following describes a characteristic of text entry devices?
Which of the following describes a characteristic of text entry devices?
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Why might users resist switching from the QWERTY layout to alternative keyboard layouts?
Why might users resist switching from the QWERTY layout to alternative keyboard layouts?
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Study Notes
Chapter 2: The Computer
- Human-computer interaction requires understanding computers.
- What goes in and out of the computer (devices, paper, sensors, etc.)
- What computers can do (memory, processing, networks).
- Computer systems consist of various interacting elements.
Typical Computer System
- Input devices (text entry, pointing).
- Output devices (screens, digital paper, virtual reality, special interaction).
- Physical interaction (e.g., sound, haptic, bio-sensing).
- Printed and inputted paper.
- Memory (RAM and permanent media, capacity, access).
- Processing (speed, networks).
- Interfaces depend on the devices used.
Interactivity
- Batch processing (punch cards, large data files, line printers) was common in the past, often with long waits.
- Modern computing emphasizes interactivity (rapid feedback, user control).
- Interactivity is faster for users.
Richer Interaction
- Sensors and devices are increasingly integrated into everyday life.
Text Entry Devices
- Keyboards (QWERTY and others), chord keyboards, touchpads, phone pads, handwriting recognition, and speech recognition.
Keyboards
- QWERTY keyboard layout is common for experienced typists but not optimal for speed in historical context.
- Keypresses cause character codes to be sent to the computer (usually connecting by cable, also wireless).
- QWERTY layout is standardized, but there are some minor differences between UK and US keyboards.
Alternative Keyboard Layouts
- Alphabetical keyboards (arranged alphabetically) have been developed.
- Some keyboard layouts are designed to reduce RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) and fatigue for one-handed use, e.g. the Maltron.
Chord Keyboards
- Chord keyboards use a smaller set of keys, and typing letters as key combinations.
- Chord keyboards are often used in portable applications, and have a short learning time
- They are fast and reflect letter shape.
- There's social resistance and potential for fatigue after extended use.
Phone Pad and T9 Entry
- Use numeric keys with multiple presses. (e.g., 2-abc, 6-mno).
- T9 predictive entry simplifies typing by predicting the most probable word based on the keys pressed.
- T9 entry helps typing by predicting probable words from the letter combinations, showing a surprisingly high speed.
Handwriting Recognition
- Handwriting recognition lets users input text via pens or tablets, providing natural interaction.
- Handwriting recognition involves capturing and interpreting handwriting, which has technical challenges.
- Handwriting recognition is used in PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and tablet computers.
Speech Recognition
- Speech recognition technology is improving rapidly.
- Speech recognition works best with a single user, for limited vocabulary applications, and with initial training.
- Speech recognition has challenges with external noise, pronunciation variability, large vocabularies, and different speakers.
Positioning, Pointing, and Drawing
- Devices for inputting information include mice, touchpads, trackballs, joysticks, touchscreen devices, tablets, eye-gaze, and cursors.
The Mouse (continued)
- Mechanical mice use a ball for tracking, while optical mice employ LEDs.
- Indirect pointing devices such as the mouse are common but necessitate physical space
Foot Controls
- Foot controls, such as foot mice and pedals (for cars, sewing machines, organs, and pianos), exist but are less frequent than other alternatives.
Touchpad and Trackball
- Touchpads are small, touch-sensitive tablets commonly used in laptops, and provide 'acceleration' settings.
- Trackballs are inverted mice and are fast for gaming, but hard to draw with.
- Alternative mice are often used by people with repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
Joystick and Cursor Keys
- Joysticks use pressure and buttons to signal movement;
- Cursor keys are very simple, very cheap, but slow.
- Both are good for text editing.
Touch-Sensitive Screen
- Direct touch input on screens is good for menu selection and is clean for use in hostile environments.
- Finger imprecision is a drawback, impacting accuracy with small selections and fine detail.
Stylus and Light Pen
- Stylus and light pens are direct input devices that are typically used with tablets, PDAs, tablets computers. Light pens are now rarely used. Both can obscure screens in use.
Eyegaze
- Eyegaze technology uses eye movements to control computer interfaces, providing hands-free input.
- Very high accuracy is required, and these devices often comprise a headset.
- Eyegaze technology is used in VR and AR.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of human-computer interaction in this chapter. Learn about input and output devices, processing speed, memory types, and the evolution towards interactive computing. Understand how various elements come together to form a computer system, as well as the integration of sensors into everyday technology.
