arise. In fact, if possible, try to prevent the error from affecting the user at all by catching it when it occurs. A problem with all this is that it is very difficult to identify all possible sources of errors and either insulate the user from the error or provide constructive feedback about the error. Good error handling in an interface is often an area of continual improvement.

•Use symbols, images, and color to make the interface more interesting and easier to navigate — Symbols make an interface quicker to navigate because it is quicker to recognize a symbol than it is to read text. A common approach to using symbols is to provide them alongside text. Users will initially rely on the text descriptions to aid navigation, but as familiarity with the related symbols grows, the user can use them instead. Symbols must be consistent throughout an interface to achieve the maximum benefit, and they should also be carefully designed so that their meaning is obvious. Images can also be used to enhance an interface, either as graphical elements that provide a function or simply to make the interface interesting. Careful thought is required when adding images. Color can be used to group related controls, provide visual separation, or carry additional information, such as syntax highlighting in an IDE.

•Make use of all input devices — Different users like to do things in different ways. Some find different methods of input more convenient than others. Your interface should respond to both pointing input (such as the mouse) and keyboard input. You should also try to adhere to common conventions. For example, if your interface provides a copy function, a user will assume that he can use the keyboard to perform the copy and will expect that the keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+C.

Vocabulary

to adhere – to obey sth; to hold or follow a set of principles, course of actions

to be aware of – to have knowledge of sb/sth; to realize sth to enable – to make sth possible

to distract – to take sb’s attention away from sth

excessive – greater than what is normal or necessary; extreme to overcome – to succeed in dealing with or controlling sth accomplished – skilled

mundane – ordinary and with little excitement facet – a particular part or aspect of sth

to endeavor – to try to do sth

to enhance – to increase or improve further the good quality, value or status of sb/sth

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impaired - damaged or made weaker

stuck – unable to find an answer or solution to sth

cryptic – with a meaning that is hidden or not easily understood to insulate – to protect sb/sth from unpleasant effect of sth IDE – Integrating Development Environment

Task 3. Use the table below to note down the basic principles and guidelines to design a user interface and the reason for each principle.

Task 4. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) in relation to the information in the text. If you think a statement is false, change it to make it true.

1.When designing a user interface, you should follow some basic principles and guidelines in a particular order.

2.The interface should be simple, so that the user can navigate without being tired.

3.If the interface is intuitive and tasks are logically sequenced, it will make sense to the user.

4.Feedback is one of the most important features as it makes the user more confident and interested in what he is doing.

5.When designing an interface, you shouldn’t forget about people with limitations of vision and mobility.

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6.If you want your application to become the user’s preferred tool, let him customize the interface to his liking.

7.An undo function is a standard feature for all interfaces.

8.When the user causes an error, the obvious response is to display a message box that provides a cryptic message to indicate what the error is and how to avoid it.

9.If you provide constructive feedback about errors, you can insulate the user from them.

10.The interface should respond to different input devices to be used by as many users as possible.

Task 5. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. You may have to change some words slightly.

1.user, usage, use, useful, useless

a.When designing a __________ interface, there are some basic principles and guidelines that you should adhere to.

b.The quality ranged from acceptable to worse than

__________.

c.Computer __________ is predicted to increase.

d.You should always provide __________ documentation and support for your application.

e.Have you ever __________ this software before?

2.variable, vary, various, variety, varying

a.New techniques were introduced with __________

degrees of success.

b.With so many __________ to consider, it is difficult to calculate the cost.

c.There is a wide __________ of patterns to choose from.

d.She took the job of a computer operator for __________

reasons

e.The real strength of word processors is their ability to edit and format documents, and they __________ in the strength and variety of these functions.

3.customization, customer, customized, customize

a.You can __________ the software in several ways.

b.But __________ is not just letting the user move things around so the interface looks good.

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c.XML is extensible because it lets website developers create their own set of __________ tags for documents.

d.They know me – I’m a regular __________.

4.access (v), access (n), accessible

a.These documents are not __________ to the public.

b.Each record must obviously have a unique identifier so that it can be __________ in the database.

c.For __________ a server, basic PCs already suffice.

d.You need a password to get __________ to the computer system.

5.design (v), design (n), designer

a.This course is primarily __________ as an introduction to the subject

b.Graphics can be developed for a variety of uses including presentations, desktop publishing, illustrations, architectural __________ and detailed engineering drawings.

c.In cooperative environments, several __________ might work on the same project.

d.XML is a set of rules for __________ text formats.

Language work

Phrasal Verbs

Task 6. Look back in the text, find words in italics and guess the meaning of these phrasal verbs in your own language:

Task 7. Match each of the phrasal verbs above with the expression that has a similar meaning:

a)to react quickly or favourably

b)to begin to have a particular characteristic, quality or appearance

c)to understand sth/sb by thinking about them/it

d)to be so familiar with sb/sth that one no longer appreciates their full value

e)to need or to be dependent on sb/sth

f)to do sth as required or specified; to fulfil sth

g)to meet or find sb/sth by chance

h)to have the capacity to deal with sth successfully

Task 8. Complete the sentences using a suitable phrasal verb from the list given. Use the correct form of the verb each time:

1.There was too much work for our computer …… .

2.… you …… what’s wrong with your printer?

3.Nowadays we … increasingly … computers to regulate the flow of traffic in the town.

4.These insects can …… the colour of their backgrounds, so that their enemies can’t see them.

5.We all have certain duties and jobs …… .

6.Yesterday she …… a computer manual in a drawer.

7.Why … you … it … that you will fail?

8.The mechanism … well … the controls.

9.Extensive tests …… on the patient.

10.I can't …… how to do this.

11.She seemed ……. that I would go with her to the computer exhibition.

12.He wasn't able …… the stresses and strains of the job.

13.His voice …… a more serious tone.

14.These days we … heavily … computers to organize our work

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