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User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

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Figure 9: Menu selection in the form <strong>of</strong> a webpage (micros<strong>of</strong>t.com).<br />

Webpage in general can be said to be based on menu selection.<br />

Advantages <strong>of</strong> Menu Selection<br />

o Ideal for novice or intermittent users.<br />

o Can appeal to expert users if display <strong>and</strong> selection mechanisms are rapid <strong>and</strong> if<br />

appropriate "shortcuts" are implemented.<br />

o Affords exploration (users can "look around" in the menus for the appropriate<br />

comm<strong>and</strong>, unlike having to remember the name <strong>of</strong> a comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> its spelling<br />

when using comm<strong>and</strong> language.)<br />

o Structures decision making.<br />

o Allows easy support <strong>of</strong> error h<strong>and</strong>ling as the user's input does not have to be<br />

parsed (as with comm<strong>and</strong> language).<br />

Disadvantages<br />

o Too many menus may lead to information overload or complexity <strong>of</strong> discouraging<br />

proportions.<br />

o May be slow for frequent users.<br />

o May not be suited for small graphic displays.<br />

d. Direct manipulation<br />

Direct manipulation is a central theme in interface design <strong>and</strong> is treated in a separate<br />

encyclopedia entry (see this). Below, Direct manipulation is only briefly described.<br />

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