Graphical User Interfaces, Their Benefits, and Their Drawbacks

Abstract

Usability is often taken for granted. Rarely would one hear a user comment on the usability of an interface. While software designers would almost certainly love to receive praise for a job well done, their goal is to be taken for granted by the user. If he or she does not perceive the interface as interfering with his or her work, or as being intrusive, then the designers of the interface have accomplished their goal. Certainly, my goal in creating the TMMG database was to provide the user an environment that does not interfere with his or her work. The idea behind the design of the database was to provide an attractive interface that seemed natural and logical, while at the same time being efficient and requiring minimal effort from the user. While usability is extremely important in most applications and operating systems, designers must still be careful not to make errors by underestimating the value of performance, or by representing objects and commands in a way that seems unnatural to the user. Ultimately, usability will become increasingly important, because the needs of each user differ on a case-by-case basis.