Consider using CLI with predictive typing and suggestions for complex workflows (hotkeys are quicker for simple, repetitive navigation of course).
-- Oleh Kovalchuke Interaction Design is design of time http://www.tangospring.com/IxDtopicWhatIsInteractionDesign.htm On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 4:41 PM, Chauncey Wilson <chauncey.wil...@gmail.com>wrote: > This is an interesting note since keyboard design to support high-volume > users where errors can be catastrophic is not all that common though there > are still many, many users like yours and order-entry clerks, and sales > professionals, who use tools not to mention tech support personnel. > > Some really basic things and later this weekend, I'll try to dig up some of > my references on keyboard design issues: > > 1. Preventing errors. I've worked with traders and they move quickly so > you want to avoid having high-frequency "save" keyboard functions adjacent > to low-frequency, but destructive keys. You want to avoid bad one-off > errors. > 2. Awkward combinations of shortcut keys that require a stretch or that > result in undue crossing. > 3. Mnemonic value > 4. Data entry forms and data validation (don't interrupt too much with > inline validation) > 5. Lag times and typeahead problems > 6. Consistency among their specialized apps and with standard apps > 7. Feedback for key operations that allows the user to start again after > an > interruption (of which there are many) > 8. Data logs would be quite useful here. > 9. The GOMS KLM model could be quite helpful in your work since you can > model keystroke and mouse operations and get estimate of tasks times early > in design. > 10. The design of all forms and use of keyboard efficient widgets. For > example, instead of yes/no/maybe radio buttons, you would just use a text > field since they would quickly learn the 3 codes. > 11. The use of efficient and consistent codes for text entry where you > don't want to force mouse-focused widgets on the users. > 12. Consistent rules for assignment of keyboard accelerators, shortcuts, > function keys. > > Chauncey > > I'll dig up some references > > On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 12:32 PM, Douglas Hollinger < > doughollin...@hotmail.com> wrote: > > > > > I'm putting together a discovery and research plan for improving the > > usability of an equities direct trading application. The primary users of > > the application are day traders, and because they need to act quickly to > > dynamics in the market in real time, they tend to be very > keyboard-oriented. > > They are constantly scanning across multiple screens/views and don't like > to > > take their hands off the keyboard to use a mouse. > > > > Thus, as we look to improve the interface and functionality of the > > application, we need to keep mouse usage to an absolute minimum. The > traders > > like to use hotkeys and shortcuts to execute standard commands. In > addition, > > they would like the ability to execute more complex workflows by setting > up > > customizable hotkey shortcuts. Any new UI will need to accommodate this > > behavior. > > Has anyone developed for this kind of environment and specialized user > > group? Are you aware of related research that might be helpful in terms > of > > designing for keyboard-oriented users? > > Thanks in advance for any advice. > > > > Doug > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Hotmail(R) goes where you go. On a PC, on the Web, on your phone. > > > > > http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/learnmore/versatility.aspx#mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_WL_HM_versatility_121208 > > ________________________________________________________________ > > Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! > > To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org > > Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe > > List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines > > List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help > > > ________________________________________________________________ > Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! > To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org > Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe > List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines > List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help > ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... disc...@ixda.org Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
