CSE 171 MIDTERM 16 February 2000
Please write a short essay for each question below. You will have one hour.
Good luck!
1. What relevance (if any) does Fitt's law have for user interface design?
[10 pts]
2. What is the difference between the meaning of the term "icon" as used in
computer graphics, and in semiotics? [10 pts]
3. What is the "say-do problem" and what important lesson does it give us
for using interviews in user interface design? [15 pts]
4. Air traffic controllers at some centers prominently attach colorful
"strips" to their consoles, and regularly update them. Explain why
replacing a controller's strips by a video display on his/her screen might
be a bad idea. [20 pts]
5. Could you describe to another person, with enough accuracy so that they
could do it the same way, how you pick up and hold a pen for writing? Why?
What technical term is used to describe this kind of difficulty? How is
this relevant to user interface design? [15 pts]
6. Why is it important to understand the goals of a website before designing
its style? Give a simple example. [15 pts]
7. Usually dates appear on a separate line near the top of a business letter,
but in a smaller font at the bottom of a webpage, often combined with other
information. Use the notion of semiotic morphism to explain why these
choices are appropriate (assuming ordinary situations). [15 pts]
© 2000 Joseph Goguen