Interface Standards International User Interfaces Chapters 8 & 9

Consistency Between 25 – 50% of training can be reduced if interfaces are consistent

Consistency Benefits Ease of learning Ease of use Lower training time Fewer errors because users can predict what a system will do All these items mean: fewer user frustrations and  increased user satisfaction

Interface Standards Benefits: Reduced requirements Supporting software will be easier And, if standards are used by developers, there should be an increase in usability But just using standards do not mean that interfaces will be more usability

Dangers --- oh no! There “may” be a conflict between taking the time required to develop a good common user interface versus the pressure to get the first product out the door. Solution: make sure a formal written document states the standards at the start of a new program.

Usable In-House Standards Most developers will have to accept the in-house GUI standards

International User Interfaces These interfaces are to be used in several countries. Language translation and other cultures influences will present problems Soon the majority of software produced in the US will be for the international market.

International Graphical Interfaces Icons and color are not universal E.g., mailboxes look different in different countries Icons can be classifies into three categories Resemblance icons -- physical objects Reference icons -- represent the concept Arbitrary icons -- by convention

International Graphical Interfaces Only 13% recognized the Red Cross logo in Japan Checkboxes -- see Figure 22 in book Italic typefaces may not be appropriate in kanji. Should use shaded boxes.

Gestural Interfaces Gestures are used in virtual reality systems. They need to be examined for international usability. Okay???

Guidelines Characters Many countries have character sets beyond A-Z. Therefore, GUIs should allow for extended character sets. Sorting – sorting special characters may be a problem. In Kanji sorting names are phonetically sorted in Goju- on order.

Guidelines Numbers & Currency The decimal point is a period in some countries and a comma with others. Time D/M/Y or D/M-Y or M/D/Y Write out the name of the month with letters instead of giving numbers

Separate the GUI Separate the interface from the rest of the system Store the interface definition in a GUI (configuration) file. Or a separate part of the program.

Multilocale Interfaces If data moves between two counties, a good multilocale interface would allow a new locale and have the interface and data change appropriately. Sending prices $$$ the system should not compromise (or translate) the measurement units. E.g., US dollars into the local currency