Homework 2

Critique of an Interface Analysis

810:171

Software Systems

Goals

You have written an analysis of some software system, focusing primarily on the quality of its human-computer interface. Your classmates have, too.

Goals

1. To understand better the ideas about interfaces that you have read about and worked with in class by having applied them to a real software system.

2. To learn more about what makes an effective analysis, in terms of both content and form.

Tasks

Complete the following tasks as an individual.

1. Read the analysis of a human-computer interface given to you in class on January 30 (Session 7).

2. Critique the paper as an analytical work. Base your critique on:

   • the content of the analysis. How well does the paper address the material that we have covered so far in Designing the User Interface? Is the authors' depiction of Shneiderman's material accurate? Is it applied well? Is the authors' analysis accurate?

     Approximately 75-80% of your critique should focus on content.

   • the form of the analysis. Is the paper organized and formatted well? Is it clear and easy for the reader to follow? Is it cohesive? Is it repetitive?

     Approximately 20-25 of your critique should focus on form.

3. Write a paper that presents your critique in a professional manner, both in style and in substance. Your paper will probably need to be 2-3 pages long in order to do justice to all the ideas in Shneiderman.

Submission

Bring one copy of your paper to class by 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 1.