Hierarchical dialogue structures in interactive computer systems

Abstract

A powerful yet simple‐to‐use command dialogue has evolved in the development of an interactive graphics system for the computer‐aided design of electronic circuits. This dialogue overcomes many of the problems typically encountered in systems with a strongly hierarchical command structure; the user is kept constantly aware of the current state within the hierarchy and is able to manoeuvre rapidly about this structure. The rules for the use of the dialogue are few and simple; mistakes are not catastrophic. The dialogue is equally suited to both naïve and experienced users. The dialogue is described in the context of an interactive graphics environment, but the extension of the principles to any interactive computer system should be obvious.

Context and selective retreat in hierarchical menu structures

“…These questions allude to the problems associated with retaining some sense of spatial contextuality as the user moves within a database that may, or more commonly may not, have a rational organizational structure. It has already been noted that much of the structure of a hierarchical menu system may bear little relationship to the information itself, and is more likely a reflection of software and system constraints (Liebelt et al 1982, Apperley andSpence 1983).…”

“…This sequential process gives rise to two of the fundamental questions in database navigation, 'Where am IT and 'How do I get back to X?' (Apperley and Spence 1983). These questions allude to the problems associated with retaining some sense of spatial contextuality as the user moves within a database that may, or more commonly may not, have a rational organizational structure.…”

“…In an attempt to provide some solutions to the problems associated with spatial contextuality, Apperley and Spence (1983) proposed the concept of selection and deselection in menus. All menu items exist in either an active or inactive state and can thus be said to be bistable.…”

“…Most design guidelines tend to emphasize aspects ofthe menu in isolation, rather than in the context of a complex dialogue of which a single menu forms only a part. In this paper, an experiment is described which evaluates the effectiveness of a 'standard' menu system in comparison with one based on intuitively derived techniques intended to enhance the user's ability to navigate successfully through more complex structures (Apperley and Spence 1983). Because these enhancements were devised specifically to improve navigation through hierarchical structures, it was necessary to carry out the evaluation in just such an environment.…”

“…The experiment described in this paper has beenprompted by the need to evaluate intuitively derived techniques and guidelines earlier described for hierarchical menu systems (Apperley and Spence 1983). Previous experimental studies of menu-based systems have paid little attention to more complex problem-solving tasks.…”