Understanding Interfaces: Handbook of Human/Computer Dialogue (Computer and People Series)

This book addresses both the nature and design of interfaces based on current computing technologies, and the extent to which designers can develop interfaces that"understand"their potential users. It also examinesthe concept of usability."
Understanding Interfaces is divided into four parts. The first part introduces the issues of interface use and design; the second discusses understanding interfaces in terms of human communications; the third section covers the skills necessary for interface use; and the final part examines the design and evaluation of interfaces.

Many books of this type devote the lions share of the print to the technical issues of the human-computer interface. It is refreshing to see that this text is largely devoted to the psychology of the user. This book scores highlyin my rating by providing the reader with a psychology of the user and with an introduction to the most pertinent issues in human-computer interface design. I enjoyed the emphasis on dialogue and felt that this was an important feature of the book. Overall, I felt that this book offers an important addition to the growing field of HCI texts. It could support a cource in HCI with ease and provide its readership with a sound introduction to the topic. It is certainly a welcome addition to my bookshelves.
--ERGONOMICS ABSTRACTS
The greatest asset of this book is its logical organization and systematic approach to human-computer interaction. It contains a readable and coherent overview of the subject, and will serve as a useful introductory text or first reader.
--R.M. Malyankar, COMPUTING REVIEWS
Although Understanding Interfaces offers helpful conclusions, it is primarily valuable as a survey of the most important research connected with interface development. Its reference bibliography is extensive. Although it is by no means light reading, it will repay the student and the professional alike with a solid foundation in cognitive theory.
--TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS
I liked the book; I found it a rich source of information for a number of different work activities with which I am currently involved, and it provides a welcome addition to my bookshelves. The text is well-presented, interspersed by an appropriate number of diagrams which add to its clarity and comprehensiveness. Its strength must lie in the fact that the content 'cuts across many different areas of human#&150;computer interaction...
--PERCEPTION