user interface

[′yü·zər ′in·tər‚fās] (computer science) The point at which a user or a user department or organization interacts with a computer system. The part of an interactive computer program that sends messages to and receives instructions from a terminal user.

user interface

(UI) The aspects of a computer system or program which can beseen (or heard or otherwise perceived) by the human user, andthe commands and mechanisms the user uses to control itsoperation and input data.

A graphical user interface emphasises the use of picturesfor output and a pointing device such as a mouse for inputand control whereas a command line interface requires theuser to type textual commands and input at a keyboard andproduces a single stream of text as output.

A user interface contrasts with, but is typically built on topof, an Application Program Interface (API).

See also user interface copyright.

user interface

The way a person interacts and commands a computer, tablet, smartphone or other electronic device. The user interface (UI) comprises the screen menus and icons, keyboard shortcuts, mouse and gesture movements, command language and online help, as well as physical buttons, dials and levers. Also included are the physical components, such as the mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, remote and game controllers.

Command Line vs. GUI
The user interface in the earliest computers comprised buttons and dials. Although the first personal computers had screens, the computer was operated by typing text commands. Starting with the Mac in 1984 and Windows 3.0 in 1990, the mouse-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) emerged, which simulates a desktop environment. See GUI and desktop environment.

The Bar Was Set Low
The user interface is the most important, yet least-understood area in the tech industry. Every application has only a handful of basic functions that users need all the time, yet they are often buried in different submenus that are not intuitive. Worse yet, once bad examples are set by major vendors, others follow like sheep. Since popular applications are often hard to learn, users have come to expect that using software has to be difficult, when in fact, it could be downright simple if educated designers were involved. One glimmer of light was the advent of the smartphone. Its small screen forces designers to think more about usability, but not always. Smartphone apps can be just as obtuse to use as desktop apps. See good user interface and first-time user menu.

Users Are Reluctant to Change
Because of the steep learning curves people have to endure, many are disinclined to change applications. While the software industry constantly touts "productivity gains" for every new product, the lost hours figuring out how to do something, combined with the gun-shy reluctance to actually try a different product that might really be an improvement often impede productivity.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Voice and natural language input and verbal output are increasingly standard components of the user interface, and they can be an enormous help. However, recognizing human speech and delivering the proper action is a daunting computational task. Sometimes the results people get are fraught with errors and downright laughable. Nevertheless, improvements are expected every year in this arena (see virtual assistant). See RTFM, user experience, naming fiascos, Freedman's law, flat UI, Web rage, HCI and HMI.

It Can Change World History

The Florida recount in the 2000 U.S. presidential election kept the country in limbo for weeks. The confusing punch card ballot in Palm Beach County gave Pat Buchanan two thousand votes that very likely should have gone to Al Gore.

Give Us A Break!

Our dazzling HDTVs do not prevent dopey button naming. This family's salvation was to attach labels on their remote control.

Read the Manual (RTFM)

Was there a contest for how ridiculous one could name the folders (right column) in this camera's memory card? Is something wrong with names such as Still, Movie, Audio, and Email?

Keep the Elevator Door Open

The big red button that catches your eye in this building elevator is for an exceedingly rare emergency. Wouldn't "Big Red" be better as a "Door Open" button? People always scramble to stop the door from closing on someone.

A Century of Experience Didn't Help

With a combined 99 years of audio experience, Alan Freedman, author of this encyclopedia (right) and his colleague Pete Hermsen, who built a radio at age eight, struggled in vain to balance the speakers on Freedman's new receiver. The manual was worthless (see RTFM).

No Kidding

After changing a password on a website, this user-friendly message appeared. Translated: "we don't have a clue how our software got you here!"

Do We Really Need This Message Number?

The last two sentences in this message are sufficient. Why does anyone need an error message in hexadecimal? However, now and then, Microsoft has led the pack with really superior designs (see good user interface).

I Thought My Phone Was a Note II

OK, once in a while you need the model number, but why not identify the device by its common name too? In later models, Samsung woke up and displayed a real name.

Really?

This popped up on an old Android phone. Why didn't it just say 4,741 days and 16 hours and make it easy to update our calendar!!!

Da Fup What??

How about this popping up on your Android phone. Doesn't every user know this means a Device Association Framework Universal Plug and Play provider is trying to connect? Of course. See Device Association Framework.

OK. Bad Formula. But Where?

This spreadsheet explains the type of error but never states which cells are the problem. In other words "you goofed somewhere but we're not gonna tell you where."

Remotes Are No Exception

Remote control designs are all over the place. Even the volume and channel buttons can be anywhere (red arrows point to Volume Up).

Touch Typist Torment

Any touch typist not noticing that the Up Arrow key was in the Right Shift key location would quickly return this laptop. Hopefully, there is no restocking fee.

Ya Gotta Be Kidding

Let's look at the list of error messages and find the "Some" error!

Priceless

Not high-tech but so idiotic we had to include it. These "informative" instructions were on a popular charcoal grill in 2015.

user interface

user interface

user interface

user interface

user interface

user interface

Synonyms for user interface

noun (computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system

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