SENG 310: Human Computer Interaction. Lecture 2. The history of Human Computer Interaction

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1 SENG 310: Human Computer Interaction Lecture 2. The history of Human Computer Interaction

2 Highlights from the last course Human Computer Interaction is a usability engineering process Design, implementation, evaluation Usability=how well a user can use the functionality of the interface Dimensions of usability: - learnability - memorability - efficiency SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 2

3 Today History of Human Computer Interaction: Key systems, people and ideas - Where does the philosophy of HCI come from? - Who were the main personalities? - Important milestones - The journey from the lab to the market SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 3

4 Vanevar Bush First HCI theorist 1945: published As we may think in Atlantic Monthly Identified the information storage and retrieval problem: new knowledge does not reach the people who could benefit from it publication has been extended far beyond our present ability to make real use of the record SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 4

5 Vanevar Bush - Memex A tool for administrating information A theoretical proto-hypertext system Bush described the device as electronically linked to a library and able to display books and films from the library and automatically follow cross-references from one work to another. The hypothetical technology : a combination of electromechanical controls and microfilm cameras, all integrated into a large desk. SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 5

6 Memex The main functionality of Memex= external memory SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 6

7 Ivan Sutherland: Sketchpad (1963) A drawing program using direct manipulation introduced many ideas/concepts now found in today s interfaces SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 7

Ivan Sutherland (cont d) pointing the light-pen on the cathode ray tube: design a master picture and create instances from that master Object oriented

8 Ivan Sutherland (cont d) pointing the light-pen on the cathode ray tube: design a master picture and create instances from that master Object oriented programming Hierarchical structures (pictures and subpictures) Icons: small pictures representing more complex items SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 8

9 Palm Pilot Vadem Clio Apple Newton Buxton and Fitzmaurice SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. GO PenPoint 9

10 Douglas Engelbart Strongly influenced by the theories of Vanevar Bush saw the computer as an augmenting tool, rather than a tool for automatation: empower the user rather than replacing human work by computers SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 10

11 Douglas Engelbart (cont d) A Conceptual Framework for Augmenting Human Intellect (SRI Report, 1962) "By augmenting man's intellect we mean increasing the capability of a man to approach a complex problem situation, gain comprehension to suit his particular needs, and to derive solutions to problems. One objective is to develop new techniques, procedures, and systems that will better adapt people's basic information-handling capabilities to the needs, problems, and progress of society."...doug Engelbart SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 11

12 Engelbart: the NLS (on Line System ) shared-screen collaboration involving two persons at different sites communicating over a network with audio and video interface. Creating links (in-file object adressing and linking) Multiple windows with flexible view control SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 12

Engelbart's Workstation 1966 - Keyset, keyboard, monitor, mouse From

13 Engelbart's Workstation Keyset, keyboard, monitor, mouse From SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 13

14 Engelbart: the first mouse (1964) SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 14

15 The personal computer Alan Kay (1969), Xerox Parc The Dynabook concept (and cardboard prototype) described what is now known as a laptop computer Software (Smalltalk) aimed mostly at giving children unlimited expression opportunities with all digital media imaginable. target audience: children SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 15

16 The Smalltalk language Smalltalk was designed to mimic Kay's biological model of individual entities, or "cells," communicating with each other via messages. Eventually this language would father the genre of Objected Oriented Programming languages. SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 16

17 The Personal Computer (cont d) Xerox PARC, mid- 70s Alto computer GUI a personal workstation local processor, bit-mapped display, mouse text and drawing editing, windows, menus, scroll bars, mouse selection, etc local area networks (Ethernet) for personal workstations Electronic mail could make use of shared resources

18 The Xerox Parc Alto: 1973 Alto was not a commercial breakthrough Only 2000 were built Price ~ 40,000 $ SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 18

19 Xerox Star: 1981 designed as an office automation system important design goal: to make the "computer" as invisible to users as possible Another important assumption: occasional users, rather than people who spent most of their time at the machine. So, Star should be easy to learn and remember. First commercial system to provide a user interface Star is often mistaken for a computer. In fact, Star is a software package; the machine was designed to meet the needs of the software design. SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 19

20 Xerox Star SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 20

21 Xerox Star Progressive disclosure: detail should be hidden from users until they ask or need to see it. SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 21

22 Apple Lisa LISA=Logical Integrated Software Architecture developed between initially designed as a text-based system after several field trips to Xerox Star, migration to a graphical, windows-based system Sophisticated hardware technology: Motorola processor + 1megabyte of memory. Document-based (program icons rare) SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 22

23 Apple Lisa SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 23

24 Apple Macintosh (1984) Original design by Jeff Raskin: a computer that would work as an appliance; designed for people who were not fascinated in learning how it worked. Self-contained machine Use strongly guided by physical design: the user is forced to use the mouse (few function or even cursor keys) This strategy also forced software developers to create applications suitable for a mouse-driven graphical interface. SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 24

25 Apple MacIntosh Problem of the Mac: Only 128k main memory SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 25

26 The desktop of the Mac SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 26

27 Microsoft Windows Release of the IBM PC AT in August 1984 running at 6MHz; At the same time Microsoft releases MS- DOS 3.0 for PCs. Windows planed 1983 was released on August 11, 1987 Windows 1.01 was a huge disappointment: almost unusable interface built on the criptic MS-DOS operating system; unsightly tiled windows, lack of icons SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 27

28 Microsoft Windows SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 28

29 You know now: Progress in HCI is a result of: cheaper computers/workstations meant people more important than machines excellent interface ideas focus on human needs instead of system needs (user centered design) ideas evolve into products through several iterations pioneer systems developed innovative designs, but often commercially unviable settler systems (many years later) wellresearched designs + killer applications

30 Examples of exam questions 1. Briefly describe the contribution of Vanevar Bush to the field of Human Computer Interaction. - Engelbart - Ivan Sutherland - Alan Kay SENG 310 : Human Computer Interaction, Lecture 2. 30

History of Human Computer Interaction. History of HCI: Input/output devices

History of Human Computer Interaction Where did HCI innovations and philosophy come from? Who were the major personalities? What were the important systems? How did ideas move from the laboratory to the