The interface (computing) is a shared demarcation through which two or more individual devices of a computer exchange information. This can include display screens, keyboards, mice, and the appearance of a desktop..
Therefore, it is the connection and interaction between hardware, software and the user. Users "talk" to the software. Software "talks" to hardware or other software. The hardware "talks" to other hardware. All this is an interface.
Computers have been around for more than half a century. However, the way most people interact with them hasn't changed much..
Considering the fact that computers are much more powerful today than they were 50 years ago it is surprising that basic interfaces have not changed much..
In 1968 a device that would be called a computer mouse was shown. Even the graphical user interface has been around for a while. The first to gain popularity was on the Macintosh in 1984.
In hardware, electronic signals trigger different situations. Data is written, read, sent, received, errors are checked, etc..
In software, instructions activate hardware through data link protocols, access methods, etc..
If the product lacks usability, nobody will want it. The ease with which someone uses the product is what will achieve the desired goal.
The inherent usability of the interfaces must be considered in order to understand and use the underlying system. Usability must be straightforward if you want people to use it widely.
For example, if you design an application to sell movie and event tickets online, where users can select rows, seat numbers, etc., the application needs to consolidate that multi-step process and transform it into a linear path..
Any interface should be designed to be intuitive and familiar, since users after using a product will not really remember all the functions. To reduce complexity, the interface must be consistent as well as predictable.
A simple example is when a designer uses a box to open some images and causes others to open in a new tab. This breaks consistency and also predictability, confusing and annoying users..
Feedback is key to interface design. The product should communicate with users by providing feedback when the desired task is done and what to do next.
Take the Hootsuite owl as an example, which falls asleep if it is inactive for a long time.
Response time on feedback is also a key factor. It must be in real time and immediate response, within the range between 0.1 seconds and 5 seconds.
Used to connect two or more electronic devices. They are the plugs, cables and electrical signals that travel through them.
Some devices can send and receive data through the interface, such as a touch screen. On the other hand, a mouse or microphone can only provide an interface to send data to a given system..
They are the messages that computer programs use to communicate with devices and also with each other.
The rules, formats and functions between components in a communications system or network are called protocols..
The design of the interaction between the user and the computer is called the user interface.
It is a text-based interface, used to manage files on a computer.
Before the mouse, users interacted with an operating system or an application with the keyboard. Users wrote commands in this interface so that they could execute tasks on a computer..
It is a program that allows a user to interact with the computer with the use of icons and devices such as the mouse. This interface is currently the standard used by computers.
The use of this interface has made the operation of the computer much more attractive and intuitive.
Provides an easy-to-use interface, consisting of a set of menus accessed by pressing buttons, commonly on a touch screen device.
It is generally used in ATMs and information booths in shopping centers or museums.
Leveraging powerful advances in speech recognition and natural language processing, these new interfaces are more intuitive and effective than ever..
There are many hardware interfaces, because there are a wide variety of electronic devices. However, standards such as USB and HDMI have served to reduce the number of interfaces.
After all, it would be quite difficult if each digital camera, printer, keyboard, and mouse used a different interface..
USB
Various types of devices can be connected to a computer via the USB interface. For example, a printer connects to a computer usually through a USB interface..
Thus, the USB port of the computer is considered the hardware interface. On the other hand, the printer's USB interface is where you connect the other end of the USB cable..
IPods have a proprietary interface with which they can be connected via USB to a charger and also transfer data.
It is commonly used for networking, which is why most modems and routers have an Ethernet interface.
Audio devices can have analog or digital audio connections and can include a MIDI interface for transferring MIDI data..
It is best known for its implementation on Apple's Macintosh computer and Microsoft's Windows operating system..
Examples of this interface are the MS-DOS operating system and also the Command Shell in the Windows operating system.
Current systems using the Unix operating system provide this type of interface, in addition to the graphical user interface..
Websites like Virgin America, Airbnb, and Dropbox show strong user interface design.
Sites like these have created nice designs, easily operable and focused on the user and their needs..
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