Computing Transparency - What is Computing Transparency?
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Posted On :
Feb-16-2011
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Article Word Count :
477
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So it is clear that the term transparent means that information or actions are clear, truthful, and easy to understand. In other words, a good term to apply to usability or UX design.
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Computing Transparency is a vital aspect of Human Computer Interaction and is linked closely to issues of clarity and usability in user interface design . According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the term transparency literally refers to the quality or state of being transparent:
• Fine or sheer enough to see through
• Free from pretense or deceit
• Easily detected or seen through
• Readily understood
• Characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices.
So it is clear that the term transparent means that information or actions are clear, truthful, and easy to understand. In other words, a good term to apply to usability or UX design.
If we apply the term transparency to Computer Science we encounter the idea of Computing Transparency. In Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Computing Transparency refers to a system buttressed by user friendliness which alleviates the user of the need to worry about technical minutiae (installation, downloading, updating or device drivers). For example, a program that can automatically detect monitor resolution is more transparent than a program that requires users to detect the resolution themselves and adjust the program manually. So the term is really very simple and straightforward: systems and programs that are transparent for the user mean that they can operate with ease and with little attention to detail.
Why is Computing Transparency important?
Computing Transparency is an important aspect of user interface design because systems that are intuitive and understandable will ultimately help optimize usability. The idea of a system or user interface (UI) design being transparent means cloaking all of the complexities of a UI design in simplicity; the less users have to think about what the system is doing or how to make if function more optimally, the more likely they are to use it. This in turn is vital for a system’s success – be it in terms of units sold or in terms of the productivity of use. Since usability is a great lever in achieving those goals through adequate user interface design, it is important to employ the principle of Computing Transparency in connection with other usability practices.
Transparency and Privacy
Computing Transparency in HCI is also linked to privacy. Programs and applications that guard or use personal data should be transparent in their method of doing so. If user interfaces are in any way opaque about the way they deal with their customers’ private information, the results can be disastrous—think of all the problems Facebook has recently encountered because of confusing and misleading privacy policies and settings in their user interface design. When it comes to user privacy the term transparent is crucial. Just as citizens beg their governments to practice transparent politics, so too do the users of critical graphical user interfaces.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Computing Transparency - What is Computing Transparency?_52868.aspx
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Author Resource :
Pidoco.com – Interface Design , Wireframing Software , Wireframe Tool, Interface Design Software, Interface Prototyping, Usability Testing, Wireframes and Clickable Wireframes. User centered design for improved UI design.
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Keywords :
interface design, ui design, ui prototyping, interface design software, interface design tool, wireframe software, wireframe ,
Category :
Computers
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Software
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