35 Human-Computer Interaction

Overview: The connection between humans and computers is deeper than first assumed. For a device to be crafted for human use, psychology and sociology have to be mixed in with the complex works of computer science.

What is Human-Computer Interaction

Human-Computer Interaction, as easy as the term sounds, it holds so many details and factors inside it. Before diving into those details and factors, knowing what the term means is important. In simple words, Human-Computer Interaction is the study of how people and computer technology interact with each other. Why is the way humans and computers interact important? Because computers have a way to impact humans and human culture. Think back to the very first computer that was built, blocks on blocks of wires and electronics. As clunky as they looked, it swept a new era over human civilizations and brought new opportunities over time. Opportunities such as faster information access and sharing, and wider ranges of communication without having to be in the same room. That is not the only way on how computers have impacted society, along with the good comes the bad. With the new opportunities to do good and expand, there is the opportunity to do bad as well. The more computers (and electronics as a whole) grow, the more vulnerable information can be if not protected properly. But to blame humans or the computer is a separate conversation.

Language

The word ‘language’ is universally known for being a way to communicate with one another. Within the world of languages, there are different kinds that do not limit to humans only or the traditional verbal speaking. This idea gets explored within the realm of Human-Computer Interaction. Regarding Human-Computer Interaction, there are three versions of Computer Language.

The first version is the coding of the computer itself. The coding is used for specifically what the computer can understand and can use to get tasks done. How a computer communicates within itself and other computers is completely different than a typical language such as Spanish. If a computer were to be broken down into it’s natural state and language, it would be difficult to understand as it was not made for humans to understand. Similar to how animals, like dogs or cats, can communicate with each other. In the animal’s actual way of communication, humans have zero clue on what certain noises translate to word by word. Each bark or meow a dog or cat give can translate to a certain thing that only it’s kin species would understand properly. Same with a computer and it’s coding. Each part of the code is tailored to something very specific that only a computer can fully comprehend and be able to “share that language” with other computers.

The second version is the communication between computer creators. This goes all the way back to the topic of Discourse Communities. Each Discourse Community can typically have their own words, phrases, and form of speaking that only that specific group can fully recognize. The same goes with the community of computer creators. The words they would use for computer parts and computer building would be much more specific versus those who have lower knowledge of computers. Using the example of scientists and what they name certain living things. In education, there is the teaching of the scientific name and the more friendly name that anyone can pronounce. While the regular pronunciation can be acknowledged world wide, the scientific name for animals, plants, or computers in this case, resonates more within those who are the creators.

The third version is the communication between the computer and the user. It would be silly to expect a non-expert to have all knowledge of something they do not work with on a deeper or core level. Because of the language barrier the users would have with the complex computer language, the users would have to be handed a watered down version of the computer creator language. Of course, this can depend on how exposed a user is to the watered down version of the complex language. Similar to learning a new Human language. Without having enough access, practice, or discipline, it would be hard to have high skills in that language. The access also lead back to how computers have impacted culture. This can be because certain areas around the world do not value electronics or computers as much as another part of the world. What can also affect this is the cultural values of what takes priority or limited access to said computers.

Human Usability

When it comes to being able to use computers, it goes beyond understanding the language of a computer. The computer itself should also tap into human usability, meaning it should be practical. Practical can be defined differently. There can be a universal practical and a personal practical. But, what can satisfy both in practicality is how simple the computer should be to carry around and move if needed. Over the years, computers have gone from big boxes down the thinner and smaller sizes at a larger power. Because computers have wedged its way deep into human society, each household having a computer is almost the norm and expected.

Universal Practical

With Universal Practical, the object at hand, a computer in this context, should be something that works and benefits everyone. Meaning it should not be restricted to one group of people or specifically selected areas. Of course, any deeper factors such as accessibility would effect that. But those, most times, are not controllable. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to get a computer or proper wifi to have the device work to the best of its abilities. Not to mention a decently good computer can be pricy, and wit how money is these days, it takes some savings to get the device. To determine human usability of a computer, it would ideally starts with having a computer in the first place, but this could also be a good opportunity to see where human usability fails within computers.

Personal Practical

With Personal Practical, this can be seen as the object, still a computer, should be able to satisfy the individual personally and what their specific goals and needs are. While there is no computer designed or tailored for each and every individual, unfortunately, there are other options. By options, there are different computers built for different tasks. Some computers have a bigger storage/memory, data, and more in order to complete more complex tasks and projects. Those tasks and projects, as an example, could be video and file transferring for movie making purposes. While some computers are more simple, made to be less complex for easier tasks. For example, working in an office where most software is already on the computer. Or a university student needing a computer to type up essays.