Human-computer Interaction

Human-computer Interaction and Libraries

Human-computer interaction (HCI) looks at multiple perspectives of software and hardware developed to interface and interact with computers and humans. Humans constantly ask for easier ways to accomplish computer tasks for their decision making and general usage. HCI is emerging as a specialty within several discipline areas like psychology, anthropology, industrial design, and library science.
According to one source: “A long term goal of HCI is to design systems that minimize the barrier balance between the human cognitive model of what they want to accomplish and the computer’s understanding of the user’s tools” (“Human-computer,” 2). The aim is for the user to create user interfaces that can be operated with ease and are perceived as relevant for the human’s tasks. Icons, the mouse as a navigator, and windows are examples of HCI interactions where users wanted easier paths in their computer journeys. What began as slow inventions has shifted to rapid changes to keep up with new technology (Karet and Karet, 2003). A publication like Computer Technology publishes articles about changes in the technical world of computers. HCI is rooted in the 1980s symbolic-interpretive theory when research concentrated on how people make meaningful communications for specific situations. Many of the newer interfaces for the general public were developed originally as assistive devices for the handicapped.

References
Karat, J. and Karat, C. (2003) "The evolution of user-centered focus in the human-computer
interaction field." IBM System Journal. 42:4, 532 (10)

http://psychology.wika.com/wiki:/Human-computer_interaction.