Publisher's Synopsis
Considering the users and the situations of use is becoming increasingly important in industrial software development. It is no longer enough to merely provide a system; it must also suit the users' needs and abilities. Developers concerned with the user interface and user services of a system have to know the basics of how people interact with computers. They need to recognise the importance of studying prospective users and their work. An understanding of the concept of usability and how usability can be specified and tested is also essential. Finally, it is necessary to be aware of the basic building blocks for design and how designs can be realised in prototypes and implemented systems. This book covers all these issues. The book should be of interest to professional system developers and project managers interested in usable systems. It is also intended for introductory human-computer interaction courses at universities as it contains well-proven exercises, suggested reading material, advice to the teacher and to the student.
