|
|
|
The following guidelines may be considered when designing public information systems or kiosks. Location and encouraging use Advertise system through different sources rather than relying only on users noticing system when passing by it. Place the kiosk or public system logically within the flow of movement but not in the way of passers by. Provide large, high contrast signposting to cater for different levels of vision. Provide a bright attractor screen, and if possible a self running demonstration to indicate purpose of system and how to use it. Physical access For wheelchair use, the operable part of the user interface should be between 0.7 and 1.2 metres in height, with clear area of 1.5 metres radius around the terminal. Make screen viewable from wheelchair and allow people with low vision to get their faces up close to the screen. Provide a recess underneath the terminal for a wheelchair. Provide a well lit, funnel shaped, card entry slot. Introduction and instructions Use off-line material such as posters and leaflets to present a system introduction and step-by-step instructions. (Leaflets can be taken away and studied at leisure). On-screen instructions should be concise and should include graphical representations of corresponding interface elements. A short free running demonstration can save presenting lengthy instructions. Language selection Allow the user interface language (e.g. English, French etc.) to be chosen with a menu of options, each option in the language to be presented. Alternatively allow user to select an appropriate national flag. Where system cannot offer different languages, try to offer some level of multilingual human support. Privacy Provide some level of privacy, particularly for when the user is receiving or entering personal information, e.g. recessed screen and keyboard or locate in a booth. For wheelchair users, a seated version may be needed for privacy. For applications where privacy less critical, place terminal to one side of main thoroughfare. Any use of sound should be at a low level. Input to system Keep inputs simple, consistent and only require the user to specify one option at a time. For pointing use a touch screen or roller ball (a mouse could be detached and stolen, unless supervised). For open air systems, input devices must be robust to stand up to continued use, the weather and vandalism. For text/numeric entry, clearly highlight the input box and distinguish system text from entry text. Provide a simple backspace or clear key. Keyboard input For keyboard input, use Œmovingı keys with definite travel. Custom keyboards are preferred, although a standard keyboard can be used with unnecessary keys blanked off. Avoid requiring double key actions (e.g. shift key). Avoid lengthy inputs to cut down on typing or spelling errors. (For on-screen keyboards, 3-4 characters max.) Touch screen input For touch screens, the minimum touch area (allowing for gloved hands) should be 2.6 square cm, with an angle of 30 to 45 degrees from the vertical. Provide clear instruction for operating touch screen and feedback when button pressed. Ensure touch screens are cleaned regularly. System output Text should be a minimum of 16 point. Use simple font styles without serifs. However serif fonts can be used to distinguish user input from system text. Ensure contrast between text and background is high. Use familiar language that the public will understand. Colourful displays can be attractive but avoid the use of too many colour codes (4 to 5 maximum). Do not require the user to scroll to see a complete image or graphic. System reset Allow system to reset after a few minutes and provide a Œstartı key to cater for abandoned dialogues. Other stakeholders Consider the needs of other users as well as the general public end users e.g. data entry staff, maintenance staff.
|
|
Copyright EMMUS 1999.
|
