INF1520 Assignment 2
Question 1 [8]
The development of computing devices and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI)
can be categorized into four areas. Indicate what each of these areas are called
and what are the main characteristics of these areas.
1. Mainframe / Batch‐Processing Era (1950s–1960s)
- Name: Mainframe Computing
- Characteristics:
• Centralized, powerful machines housed in data centers; interaction via “dumb” terminals
or punch cards.
• Batch processing: jobs submitted on punch cards, processed in bulk, with delayed
feedback.
• HCI Aspect: Limited feedback, text‐based interfaces, no pointing devices.
2. Personal / Desktop‐Computing Era (1970s–1980s)
- Name: Personal Computing
- Characteristics:
• Introduction of standalone PCs (e.g., Apple II, IBM PC) for home/office use.
• Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) with icons, windows, menus, pointers.
• Interaction via mouse, keyboard, and early touchscreens.
• HCI Aspect: Real-time feedback, WYSIWYG editors, drag-and-drop metaphors, emphasis
on usability.
3. Networked / Client–Server Era (1990s–early 2000s)
- Name: Client–Server & Internet Computing
- Characteristics:
• Adoption of LANs and Internet; software moved to distributed architectures (client-
server).
, • Web browsers became primary HCI platforms; access via web pages instead of installed
apps.
• HCI Aspect: Need to design for multiple browsers, varying resolutions, use of hypertext,
forms, JavaScript.
4. Mobile / Ubiquitous‐Computing Era (mid-2000s–present)
- Name: Ubiquitous & Mobile Computing
- Characteristics:
• Proliferation of smartphones and tablets; computing anywhere via wireless networks.
• Devices are context-aware (GPS, accelerometers, cameras); cloud services enable data
sync.
• HCI Aspect: Touchscreens, voice assistants, adaptive layouts, responsive design, small-
screen optimization.
Question 2 [8]
Define the following terms:
2.1 Mobile computing
2.2 Multimedia interfaces
2.3 Usability
2.4 HCI as defined by Johnson 1997
2.1 Mobile computing:
Mobile computing refers to the set of technologies (hardware, software, and communication
protocols) that enable users to access and process information anytime and anywhere via
portable devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops—connected to wireless
networks. Key characteristics include portability, wireless connectivity, location awareness,
and constrained resources like battery life and screen size.
2.2 Multimedia interfaces:
Multimedia interfaces combine two or more media types—text, images, audio, video,
animation—to facilitate human-computer interaction. They integrate visual and auditory
channels to present information in richer, more engaging ways, often including
synchronized audio/video, interactive graphics, and animations with user control (e.g., play,
pause, skip).
Question 1 [8]
The development of computing devices and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI)
can be categorized into four areas. Indicate what each of these areas are called
and what are the main characteristics of these areas.
1. Mainframe / Batch‐Processing Era (1950s–1960s)
- Name: Mainframe Computing
- Characteristics:
• Centralized, powerful machines housed in data centers; interaction via “dumb” terminals
or punch cards.
• Batch processing: jobs submitted on punch cards, processed in bulk, with delayed
feedback.
• HCI Aspect: Limited feedback, text‐based interfaces, no pointing devices.
2. Personal / Desktop‐Computing Era (1970s–1980s)
- Name: Personal Computing
- Characteristics:
• Introduction of standalone PCs (e.g., Apple II, IBM PC) for home/office use.
• Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) with icons, windows, menus, pointers.
• Interaction via mouse, keyboard, and early touchscreens.
• HCI Aspect: Real-time feedback, WYSIWYG editors, drag-and-drop metaphors, emphasis
on usability.
3. Networked / Client–Server Era (1990s–early 2000s)
- Name: Client–Server & Internet Computing
- Characteristics:
• Adoption of LANs and Internet; software moved to distributed architectures (client-
server).
, • Web browsers became primary HCI platforms; access via web pages instead of installed
apps.
• HCI Aspect: Need to design for multiple browsers, varying resolutions, use of hypertext,
forms, JavaScript.
4. Mobile / Ubiquitous‐Computing Era (mid-2000s–present)
- Name: Ubiquitous & Mobile Computing
- Characteristics:
• Proliferation of smartphones and tablets; computing anywhere via wireless networks.
• Devices are context-aware (GPS, accelerometers, cameras); cloud services enable data
sync.
• HCI Aspect: Touchscreens, voice assistants, adaptive layouts, responsive design, small-
screen optimization.
Question 2 [8]
Define the following terms:
2.1 Mobile computing
2.2 Multimedia interfaces
2.3 Usability
2.4 HCI as defined by Johnson 1997
2.1 Mobile computing:
Mobile computing refers to the set of technologies (hardware, software, and communication
protocols) that enable users to access and process information anytime and anywhere via
portable devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops—connected to wireless
networks. Key characteristics include portability, wireless connectivity, location awareness,
and constrained resources like battery life and screen size.
2.2 Multimedia interfaces:
Multimedia interfaces combine two or more media types—text, images, audio, video,
animation—to facilitate human-computer interaction. They integrate visual and auditory
channels to present information in richer, more engaging ways, often including
synchronized audio/video, interactive graphics, and animations with user control (e.g., play,
pause, skip).
