Premium
SX/Tools ‐ An Open Design Environment for Adaptable Multimedia User Interfaces
Author(s) -
Kühme Thomas,
SchneiderHufschmidt Matthias
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
computer graphics forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.578
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1467-8659
pISSN - 0167-7055
DOI - 10.1111/1467-8659.1130093
Subject(s) - computer science , adaptability , user interface , human–computer interaction , interface (matter) , interface metaphor , natural user interface , user interface design , adaptation (eye) , 10 foot user interface , user experience design , multimedia , operating system , ecology , physics , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , optics , biology
In this paper a brief review of user interface management systems (UIMSs) and their advantages is given. Shortcomings of current UIMSs and open requirements imposed by industrial application areas are outlined. Among the most important requirements are uniform design mechanisms independent of interaction media, techniques, and styles as well as a straight forward end‐user adaptability of user interfaces. A new approach to interactive interface construction, called “direct composition”, is introduced. In this approach all interface objects contain the means for their own modification and design and therefore offer consistent interaction techniques for both the construction and usage of user interfaces. Moreover, end‐user adaptability is an inherent feature of direct composition interfaces. The user interface design environment SX/Tools is described to exemplify specific properties of user interface management systems following the principle of direct composition. The impacts of direct composition on user interface design include a uniform interface development process covering tool development, interface development, and “on‐usage” interface adaptation. It is argued that the direct composition approach can overcome many of the problems with traditional UIMSs.