Interface 1

[StefanScheidegger]

Hi there

I would like to prepare a nice user interface for the users.

Can you please tell me what are "the elements" of a user interface which is considered to be user-friendly (menu, where should be the command buttons, etc.).

Thank you so much. regards,

Stefan

 

[annsolomon]

A lot will depend on your development style and your users. There aren't any hard and fast rules (at least none that I subscribe to).

A couple of tips, though:

Try to keep the interface navigation similar to what your folks are used to. (e.g., Place "Windows-like" menu(s) at the top of the screen.)

Wherever you decide to place your command buttons, be consistent throughout your application. (e.g., If you place command buttons at the bottom of one form, be sure to place them at the bottom of all forms.)

Have fun with your interface.

Ann

 

[JeremyNYC]

First I'll say that a question this broad gets close to insulting. If you're looking for references, that's great. But this question makes it seem like you're not willing to do your homework yourself. We all need help, but I'd sure like to see people who are just starting out do as much as they can to figure out a question and show the evidence of that before just asking people on forums like this to do their work for them.

On the other hand, I'm quite sure you aren't intending to be abusive of the forum, and that you didn't realize how huge a topic this is. In that spirit, here are some of my thoughts on the subject.

I would actually say, have as little fun as possible with your interface. Make your interface look like it was designed by microsoft monkeys. Make your interface ALL business. Software packages with fancy interfaces are difficult to use. Make your inteface standard and your users won't think about using your software, they'll simply use your software.

For some great examples of what NOT to do, a lot of smart discussion about why not to do those things, and a couple of examples of what TO do, check out the interface hall of shame, at

http://www.iarchitect.com/mshame.htm.

Jeremy =============
Jeremy Wallace
Designing, Developing, and Deploying Access Databases Since 1995

http://www.AlphaBetCityDataworks.com

Take a look at the Developers' section of the site for some helpful fundamentals.

 

[annsolomon]

Stephan, Jeremy is absolutely right about not having fun with your interface given his interpretation. It would certainly distract your users and make them less productive.

What I meant by having fun is in stuff like your error trapping. Ya know, creating useful messages that your users will understand rather than the cryptic messages that appear by default.

Good luck.
Ann

 

[SgtJarrow]

Jeremy.....

AWSOME resurce page! Thanks man. Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Albert Einstein)

Robert L. Johnson III, MCP, Network+, A+
Access Developer/Programmer
robert.l.johnson.iii@citigroup.com

 

[Garridon]

There's also two FAQs under forms that cover Interfaces.

Linda Adams
Linda Adams/Emory Hackman Official Web site

http://www.hackman-adams.com

Official web site for actor David Hedison:

http://www.david-hedison.com

 

[StefanScheidegger]

Hi everybody

Thank you for your comments.

I certainly didn't mean to insult anybody in this forums since I sincerely appreciate the great help of the people that have been helping me here.

I was not aware, that user interface design is such a huge subject itself. As a beginner and non-professional in database design, I was just hoping to get some help with the design of the user interface (MS Access).

By the way, the homepage mentioned above is unfortunatley not anymore on the net.

Thanks to everybody.

Stefan

 

[JeremyNYC]

Stefan,

Glad to see you didn't feel chased away by my comments. Yeah, interface design is fairly huge. There are dozens of books about it, and a gazillion web sites.

Weird that the hall of shame disappeared. I found one site that has a version of one of the main pages from it:

http://www.umlchina.com/GUI/ShameRecent.htm

but I've yet to find the rest. If anyone else finds a version of the whole set of pages, I'd LOVE to hear about it.

Jeremy =============
Jeremy Wallace
Designing, Developing, and Deploying Access Databases Since 1995

http://www.AlphaBetCityDataworks.com

Take a look at the Developers' section of the site for some helpful fundamentals.

 

[SgtJarrow]

Jeremy,

I found the hall of shame exactly through your link...it's there man... Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Albert Einstein)

Robert L. Johnson III, MCP, Network+, A+
Access Developer/Programmer
robert.l.johnson.iii@citigroup.com

 

[JeremyNYC]

Robert,

I'm pretty sure it was when I posted it, but it's been down all morning. Maybe they're just doing maintenance, but it's still down as of now.

Jeremy =============
Jeremy Wallace
Designing, Developing, and Deploying Access Databases Since 1995

http://www.AlphaBetCityDataworks.com

Take a look at the Developers' section of the site for some helpful fundamentals.