Introduction
Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a field that seeks to understand how people use computers about the various user interfaces available. Most human-computer interactions use a graphical user interface. However, other interactions make use of speech, sound, touch and command line interfaces (Nielsen, 2003). A principal function of HCI is to understand user satisfaction from using a computer using the corresponding interface (Nielsen, 2003). There are a number of issues that can be measured to determine user satisfaction. These are:
Ease of use
This is a method used to determine how easy the user found it to use the interface. It describes the ease with which a user can use the basic functions offered in the interface. If it is easy for the user to perform basic tasks, the interface scores highly in ease of use. The ease of use is enhanced by use of certain tools like navigation bars (Barnum, 2011).
Ease of learning
When a user is introduced to a new interface, it takes some time for them to understand how to use it. Ease of learning is, usually, dependent on the knowledge of the user and the user interface in use (Kuniavsky, 2003). Most graphical user interfaces are designed in a way that allows even the people with the least computing knowledge to use them. More advanced users find it easy to use most graphical user interfaces. It would be difficult for a novice to us a command line interface since there are specific commands necessary to perform each function (Kuniavsky, 2003).
Efficiency
Efficiency regards how the interface performs required functions. If an interface consistently gives the same feedback for actions, it is efficient. An efficient interface scores highly on user satisfaction (Mayhew, 2009).
Memorability
Different user interfaces perform different actions. In the course of a user’s interactions with computers, they come across different interfaces. A user may stay for a long time before revisiting a particular interface. A properly designed user interface is easy for the user to remember how it works. If it is easy to remember, then it scores highly in user satisfaction (Barnum, 2011).
Error recovery
In the course of operations, any interface is bound to face errors. Error recovery is normal for any computer system. However, the ease with which the interface recovers from an error is used to measure user satisfaction. The easier it is to recover, the higher it scores (Leventhal & Barnes, 2008).
User satisfaction
User satisfaction is the ability of the interface to satisfy the user’s needs. It measures whether the user was able to perform every task they wished to use the interface. If a user is can do everything they wanted easily, the user will be more satisfied. If the user is not able to perform everything they would have wished to, they are less satisfied (Mayhew, 2009).
The measures mentioned above are what we are going to use to determine the user satisfaction with using a certain user interface. An individual interface may score highly on one or some of the above measures, but the overall score in each of these categories is what determines the overall user satisfaction (Kuniavsky, 2003).
Flexibility
This refers to the ability of the system to be dynamic and adapt to changes. Changes are normal during the operations of the system; therefore, the system must be able to change its inputs and outputs based on the changing needs of the user. By being able, to adapt to user needs the system will easily meet the needs of users (Barnum, 2011).
Consistency
This refers to the design offering similar inputs or outputs when subjected to the same task. It is important for any designed system to be consistent in order to ensure that the users can easily navigate through the system and can use it easily. This is achieved by ensuring that the colors, menus and other aspects of the system are developed in a consistent manner that is reliable and easy to learn (Kuniavsky, 2003).
Review
The interface we are going to evaluate is GoToMeeting, a website by Citrix. It is a website designed to broadcast the desktop of one computer to a host of other computers in a network. Each of the computers in the network has an application downloaded to it, and the communications are via the internet. This allows encryption, passwords, and use of firewalls for security. GoToMeeting allows the users to communicate via web conferencing. The application is available in two modes, personal and corporate. Personal offers conferencing of up to twenty-five users while corporate offers conferencing of up to one hundred users. The application offers a number of features including; meeting recording, specific application sharing where only selected applications are shown to people in the meeting. The audio package offers conferencing via toll lines or through VoIP.
The focus of user-centered design interfaces is to make the interface easy to use. Graphic design may be used to enhance the usability of the interface. There are a number of processes involved in the design of the interface. First, the functionality of the interface has to be considered. Functionality is the most important part of the design, which involves gathering the various functions that the whole application needs to perform. These are the user needs solved by the application. Otherwise, a good interface would be worthless if it has no functionality. Second, the designer has to perform a user analysis. User analysis is how the user expects the application to operate. This is where the knowledge of the user at whom the application is intended is put in mind.
The application is intended either for professionals or novices. The final design will have to put the level of knowledge in mind. Professional users may use a complicated interface while novice users need a basic interface. After the designer has gone through this, they can choose to create a prototype interface. A professional can test this and then gives feedback on the usability and functionality. The designer may also choose to confirm user testing where the user is told to rate the prototype. The measurements at this time are done on usability and functionality. The feedback received from this stage is very important in the design of the interface for the application.
The graphical user interface design is, usually, the last part of the design process. The design of the GUI is influenced by the findings from the user testing stage. The main factors to consider when testing for usability are efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. The design of the graphical user interface has to take into mind two factors. These are the organization of the graphical information, such as; arrangement, alignment, grouping, labels and location. Graphical information is the text that appears on the interface. This standard has been accepted as the basic structure of interfaces. The design that has been accepted is used on many interfaces for consistency. The main tools are shown on the home page with the main tools appearing at the top of the page. Similar tools are, usually, placed together so that the user can find them easily. Tools that a user is likely to use many times are also placed prominently on the home page.
The second factor is the coding of the information on the display. Coding refers to abbreviation, color, size, shape, and visual cues. The color, size, and shape of the graphical information displayed on the interface also determines how easy the user will find the interface to use. The color of the background should make the graphical information standout. It is widely accepted that cool colors are better at this task. This is why it is very rare to find interfaces with red backgrounds. The text color, size, and shapes on the interface should be such that they make it easy for the user to get the information they need quickly.
Both these factors are guided by seven attributes. These are:
Clarity
The information should be conveyed to the user accurately and quickly (Barnum, 2011).
Discriminability
The information displayed on the interface should be easily distinguished from other information displayed on the page (Nielsen & Mack, 2004).
Conciseness
The information displayed should be just enough for the user to understand what is intended. It should be short and accurate to avoid overloading the user with unnecessary information (Nielsen & Mack, 2004).
Consistency
The design of the GUI should conform to what the user expects (Galitz, 2007).
Detectability
The user’s attention should be easily directed to the information required.
Legibility
The information should be easy for the user to read (Mayhew, 2009).
Comprehensibility
The meaning of the information should be easy to understand. The user interface should also offer prompts for the user. These guide the user towards performing interactions with the system. These are very useful but when not implemented correctly, they can be very irritating. The prompts used in the interface should not be intrusive. They should simply offer guidance for the user. Wrongly, implemented prompts divert the attention of the user from the task. However, when implemented correctly, the user’s attention is never diverted from the task.
When designing a user interface, the designer approaches the design from four directions, which should converge, on the final GUI. These directions are the input/output dimension (the look), the dialogue dimension (the feel), the technical or functional dimension (the access to tools and services) and the organizational dimension (the communication and co-operation support) (Galitz, 2007).
We are going to put the interface of GoToMeeting through the user satisfaction test and see how it fares. The design of GoToMeeting interface is user centered. It is designed so that it is as efficient and easy to use for the user.
GoToMeeting review
Ease of use
GoToMeeting is easy to use. The user is required to use the trial version or buy the application. The application is available as web-based or as a downloadable application. For the best user experience, the user is required to buy and download the application. Once the user downloads the application, it is easy to configure. The application has an installer package which when started, installs the application, and configures it on the computer. The user can use the application as long as they have a connection to the internet. The organizer of the meeting invites users to the meeting, and an attendee then agrees to join the meeting. There is an option of setting up a password so that only authorized people can attend the meeting.
During the meeting, the users can share material on their home desktop with other meeting attendees. The application also offers communication via chat, voice and through video conferencing. All these options are easily available on the home page/window of the application. Every feature of the application is easily available on the home page, and it is straightforward. The icons for each feature are also straightforward and therefore easy to recognize. The application therefore scores highly on the ease of use measure.
Ease of learning
The application is easy to use. The icons used in the application are easy to recognize for anyone who has used the internet. The interface is also straightforward. For a new user, they will find it very easy to learn how to use the application.
Efficiency
It is easy to perform all the tasks that the application offers. The home page offers all the tasks that the software offers. The application uses a graphical user interface. When the user clicks on the icon for the action they want to perform, the selected action is launched. Every time the action is selected, the action is launched. This makes the software score highly for efficiency.
Memorability
Once a user has used the interface, it is very easy for them to remember how it works. This is made easy because the application borrows heavily from good practices of user interface design. Icons are placed prominently on the homepage, and they are easily recognizable. All the features offered are also available on the home page.
Error recovery
Sometimes, the application encounters problems. Sometimes the servers are down and sometimes the internet connectivity goes down. When the servers are down, the company offers recovery methods. These are, usually, encapsulated from the end user. In the case of the internet connection from the end users side going down, the application does not require re-configuration. It continues to search for an available connection until a point when it is established. After the internet connection has been re-established, the application continues to work normally. It does not require closing the application or rebooting the computer.
User satisfaction
Any user who needs to conduct online meetings will find everything they need on GoToMeeting application. It is easy to use and offers a number of features necessary to conduct a proper meeting on the online platform. The user can make presentations to other attendees using the shared desktop. The meetings can also be recorded, and there are voice and video as well as text messaging. On user satisfaction, the application scores highly.
Flexibility
The GoToMeeting application is highly flexible and can easily adapt to user changes.
Consistency
GoToMeeting has a consistent design that ensures that the users can easily navigate through the system and can use it easily. This has been achieved by ensuring that the colors, menus and other aspects of the system are developed in a consistent manner that is reliable and easy to learn.
Conclusion
GoToMeeting is available as a web based application as well as a downloadable stand-alone application. The application offers a platform for users who would like to conduct online meetings. The features offered by the application makes it easy to conduct such meetings, and there are tools to assist in conducting the meeting. All the features offered by the application help towards the high rating of using the application. Any tool that a person would need to conduct an online meeting is available on the application. The application is designed with the user in mind, and this makes it easy to learn and use. The user interface is easy to use, and the application offers easy configuration and error recovery. On overall ratings, the application scores highly on user experience. It is easy to use and everything needed is available. It is easy to get the application, and once it is available, it is easy to configure and use. The user experience of the application is also memorable. After using the application once, it would be difficult to conduct an online meeting using other applications, which offer fewer features.
References
Barnum, C. (2011). Usability testing essentials. Boston, MA: Morgan Kauffmann.
Dumas, J. S., & Loring, B. (2008). Moderating usability tests. Principles & practices for interacting. Burlington, MA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers/Elsevier.
Galitz, W. O. (2007). The essential guide to user interface design. An introduction to GUI design principles and techniques. 3rd Edition. New York: John Wiley Publishers.
Kuniavsky, M. (2003). Observing the user experience: A practitioner’s guide for user research. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
Leventhal, L. & Barnes, J. (2008). Usability engineering: process, products, and examples. Upper
Mayhew, D. J. (2009). The usability engineering lifecycle: a practitioner’s handbook for user interface design. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufman Publishers.
Nielsen, J. (2003). Usability engineering. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Nielsen, J., & Mack, R. (2004). Usability inspection methods. New York: John Wiley Publishers.
