Designing The User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction

by Ben Shneiderman · 1987

Excerpts

  • Users prefer shorter response times
  • Longer response times (> 15 seconds) are disruptive.
  • Users change usage profiles with response time.
  • Shorter response time leads to shorter user think time.
  • A faster pace may increase productivity, but it may also increase error rates.
  • Error-recovery ease and time influence optimal response time.
  • Response time should be appropriate to the task:
    • Typing, cursor motion, mouse selection: 50-150 milliseconds
    • Simple, frequent tasks: 1 second
    • Common tasks: 2-4 seconds
    • Complex tasks: 8-12 seconds
  • Users should be advised of long delays.
  • Strive to have rapid start-ups.
  • Modest variability in response time is acceptable.
  • Unexpected delays may be disruptive.
  • Offer users a choice in the pace of interaction.
  • Empirical tests can help to set suitable response times.

— Page 473

Reference

Ben Shneiderman “Designing The User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction” (1987)

@Book{shneiderman1987,
  title = {Designing The User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction},
  edition = {4},
  author = {Shneiderman, Ben},
  year = {1987},
  publisher = {Pearson Education India}
}