Chapter 8: Command and Natural Languages
8.2 Functionality to Support User's Tasks
Users do wide range of work:
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text editing
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electronic mail
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financial management
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airline or hotel reservations
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inventory
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manufacturing process control
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gaming
Designer should
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determine functionality of the system by studying users' task domain
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create a list of task actions and objects
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abstract this list into a set of interface actions and objects
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represent low-level interface syntax
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create a table of user communities and tasks, with expected use frequency
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determine hierarchy of importance of user communities (i.e. prime users)
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evaluate destructive actions (e.g. deleting objects) to ensure reversibility
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identify error conditions and prepare error messages
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allow shortcuts for expert users, such as macros and customizing system
parameters


