40 Questions
What is the name of the early popular video game that required users to rotate a knob to move a white rectangle on the screen?
Pong
How long does it take for a person to become a competent novice at playing Pong?
30 seconds
What was the purpose of the white rectangle in Pong?
To deflect the ball
What is the name of the author who provided an illustrated history of five decades of video games?
Parkin
What is the current generation of video games, according to some cataloguers?
Eighth
What is the purpose of the white spot in Pong?
To act as a ping-pong ball
What is the name of the sound emitted by the computer speaker in Pong?
Pong
How many players can play video games, according to the text?
Multiple
What is combined with virtual reality in direct manipulation?
Glasses or devices
What was a setback for vision-impaired users?
Graphical user interfaces
What is a problem with direct-manipulation designs?
They consume valuable screen space
What do users need to learn in direct manipulation?
The meanings of visual representations and graphic icons
What is a limitation of titles that appear on icons when the cursor is over them?
They offer only a partial solution
What can happen if users overestimate the functions of the computer-based analogy?
They will draw incorrect conclusions about permissible actions
Why is ample testing necessary in direct manipulation?
To minimize negative side effects and refine the displayed objects and actions
What is a limitation of direct manipulation in the mobile world?
It consumes valuable screen space
What was the Kinect introduced for in 2010?
Xbox
What is a characteristic of natural user interfaces?
Allows the entire body to be used
Why was a wrist strap added to the early Wii controller?
To prevent accidental throwing
What is a benefit of natural user interfaces?
Fewer error messages
What can be customized for games?
Game controllers
What is the purpose of the software development kit (SDK) for Kinect?
To create worlds
How can users correct mistakes in natural user interfaces?
By using the natural inverse action
What is a characteristic of interfaces mentioned in the text?
Has no syntax to remember
What do game controllers often display continuously to measure user progress?
A numeric score
What is a common feature of game controllers?
A series of buttons and direction arrows
What is a benefit of continuously displaying scores in games?
It provides a form of positive reinforcement
What has been shown to be extremely valuable in studies with elementary-school children?
The display of numerical scores
Why are machine-generated feedback messages often ineffective?
They are perceived as an annoyance and a deception
What is a benefit of providing both behavioral data and attitudinal data in games?
It adds to the immersion quality of the game
What do the top 10 scorers often get to do in games?
Store their initials in the game for public display
What is a common component of direct-manipulation actions in games?
A joystick or steering wheel
What should be used carefully in 3-D interfaces according to the guidelines?
Occlusion, shadows, perspective, and other 3-D techniques
Why should text be kept readable in 3-D interfaces?
To ensure user tasks can be accomplished efficiently
What should be prevented in 3-D interfaces to ensure user safety?
Errors and unsafe compounds
How can user movement be simplified in 3-D interfaces?
By keeping movements planar and avoiding surprises
What is the purpose of constructing visual groups in 3-D interfaces?
To support spatial recall
What is the potential benefit of enriching 3-D interfaces with stereo displays, haptic feedback, and 3-D sound?
Enhanced user experience
What is the purpose of providing overviews in 3-D interfaces?
To enable users to see the big picture
What is the benefit of following the guidelines for 3-D interfaces?
Bigger payoffs sooner in more applications
Study Notes
Direct Manipulation and Immersive Environments
- Direct manipulation combines with virtual reality to create an immersive experience where users wear glasses or devices and interact with the virtual space.
- Users can see themselves and navigate through the space by walking, leaning, and moving, and the scenery changes accordingly.
Problems with Direct Manipulation
- Graphical user interfaces were a setback for vision-impaired users, who preferred the simplicity of linear command languages.
- Screen readers, speech-enabled devices, and audio designs enable vision-impaired users to understand spatial relationships.
- Direct manipulation designs can consume valuable screen space, forcing valuable information off-screen and requiring scrolling or multiple actions.
Video Games
- Video games are a successful application of direct-manipulation concepts, offering an immersive experience with interactive objects, sounds, and changing backgrounds.
- The early game Pong (1972) required users to rotate a knob to move a white rectangle to hit a ball, while the computer speaker emitted a ponging sound.
- Modern games have advanced to include full-body controls, multiple objects, stereo sounds, and detailed environments.
Natural User Interface
- The introduction of Kinect by Microsoft for Xbox in 2010 and for Windows in 2012 enabled natural user interfaces, where the entire body can be used.
- The natural user interface has no syntax to remember, and therefore no syntax-error messages, with results of actions being obvious and reversible.
Game Controllers
- Various game controllers exist, including customized controllers for specific games, such as Guitar Hero, flight control, and Leap Motion.
- Although these controllers provide direct-manipulation actions, users still need to learn the meaning of the various buttons.
Effective 3-D Interfaces
- Features for effective 3-D interfaces include:
- Using occlusion, shadows, perspective, and other 3-D techniques carefully.
- Minimizing navigation steps required for users to accomplish tasks.
- Keeping text readable and avoiding visual clutter, distraction, contrast shifts, and reflections.
- Simplifying user movement and object movement.
- Preventing errors and enabling users to construct visual groups to support spatial recall.
Enhanced 3-D Features
- Enriching interfaces with stereo displays, haptic feedback, and 3-D sound may prove beneficial in more than specialized applications.
- Guidelines for inclusion of enhanced 3-D features include providing overviews, allowing teleportation, offering x-ray vision, and providing history keeping.
This quiz covers the concept of direct manipulation in computer science, where users interact with virtual environments using devices like glasses or other equipment. It also explores the challenges associated with this technology.
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