The Essential Guide to User Interface Design - 3rd Edition

Wilbert O. Galitz

TEST ANSWERS
Step 5: Select the Proper Kinds of Windows
Short Answer
1. Name five ways windows can be used.
To present different levels of information.
To present multiple kinds of information.
For the sequential presentation of levels or kinds of information.
To provide access to different sources of information.
To combine multiple sources of information.
To perform more than one task.
To provide reminders.
To monitor changes.
To present multiple representations of the same task.
2. Name three uses for dialog boxes.
For presenting brief messages.
For requesting specific, transient actions.
For performing actions that take a short time to complete.
For performing actions that are not frequently changed.
3. Name at least five components of a window.
Frame or border
Title Bar
Title Bar icon
Whats This? button
Window sizing buttons
Menu Bar
Status Bar
Scroll Bars
Split Box
Toolbar
Command area
Size Grip
Work area
4. What is an unfolding window?
A secondary window that expands to reveal additional options, a form of
progressive disclosure. Unfolding windows, sometimes called

expanding windows, are generally used to provide advanced options

at the same level in a complex dialog.
5. What is the difference between a Property Sheet and a Property Inspector?
Property SheetDisplays the complete set of properties for an object.
Property InspectorDisplays only the most common or frequently
accessed object properties.
6. What are pop-up windows used for?
Display additional information when an abbreviated form of the
information is the main presentation.
Collect secondary information.
Display textual labels for graphical controls.
Display context-sensitive Help information.
7. What are five characteristics of windows?
A name or title, allowing it to be identified.
A size in height and width.
A state, accessible or active, or not accessible.
Visibilitythe portion that can be seen.
A location, relative to the display boundary.
Presentation, that is, its arrangement in relation to other windows.
Management capabilities, methods for manipulation of the window on
the screen.
Its highlight, that is, the part that is selected.
The function, task, or application to which it is dedicated.
8. Name five advantages of overlapping windows.
Three-dimensional, resembling the desktop that is familiar to the user.
Allows the user to organize the windows to meet his or her needs.
Windows can maintain larger sizes.
Windows can maintain consistent sizes.
Windows can maintain consistent positions.
Screen space conservation is not a problem, because windows can be
placed on top of one another.
There is less pressure to close or delete windows no longer needed.
The possibility exists for less visual crowding and complexity.
They yield better user performance for tasks where the data requires
much window manipulation to complete the task.
9. What is the difference between a modal and modeless window?
ModalA type of secondary window dialog box that will not permit
interaction with another window until the current dialog is
completed. It remains displayed until the appropriate action is
taken, after which it is removed from the screen.
ModelessA type of secondary window dialog box that permits the user
to engage in parallel dialogs. Switching between the box and its
associated window is permitted. Other tasks may be performed
while a modeless dialog box is displayed, and it may be left on
the screen after a response has been made to it.
10. What is an advantage of a cascading window?
No window is ever completely hidden.

Bringing any window to the front is easier.

Provides simplicity in visual presentation and cleanness.
True/False (Answers highlighted and underlined)
1. Minimize the number of windows needed to accomplish an objective.
True or False?
2. Frames on Web pages are best used when their content is not expected to
change frequently.
True or False?
3. The information to make a decision must be there when the decision is
needed.
True or False?
4. With tiled windows, the system usually allocates and positions windows for
the user, eliminating the necessity to make positioning decisions.
True or False?
5. A secondary window contains a Menu Bar.
True or False?
6. Overlapping windows are superior to tiled windows for tasks necessitating a
great amount of window manipulation.
True or False?
7. An activity will be pursued only if its costs are equal to or greater than the
benefits.
True or False?
8. A dialog box is used for requesting specific, transient actions.
True or False?
9. The difference between a single Web page and a page with frames is always
obvious to the user.
True or False?
10. Users find unsolicited pop-up windows interesting, amusing, and acceptable
and they always look forward to their appearance.
True or False?
Multiple Choice (Answers highlighted and underlined)
1. Which of the following are characteristics of tiled windows:
a) The system usually allocates and positions tiled windows for the
user.
b) Open windows are always visible.
c) They are perceived as less complex than overlapping windows.
d) Their look is three-dimensional, resembling the desktop that is familiar
to the user.
e) They are easier, according to studies, for novice or inexperienced
people to learn and use.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

f) All of the above.

In what ways are windows thought to be most useful?
a) Presentation of multiple kinds of information.
b) Performing only one task.
c) Sequential presentation of levels of information.
d) Access to different sources of information.
e) All of the above.
What are seen as some limitations of windowing systems?
a) Standardization issues.
b) Window size limitations.
c) Operational complexity.
d) User learning requirements.
e) All of the above.
Which of the following best describes a modal window?
a) Will not permit interaction with another window until the current dialog
is completed.
b) Represents an independent function or application.
c) Provides advanced options at a lower level in a complex dialog.
d) Permits the user to engage in parallel dialogs.
e) None of the above.
Which of the following are not components of a secondary window?
a) Title bar.
b) Scroll bar.
c) Status bar.
d) Menu bar.
e) Close button.
f) All are components of a secondary window.
What kind of windows main purpose is to present a set of controls?
a) Pop-up.
b) Message Box.
c) Palette.
d) Property Inspector.
e) Property Sheet.
f) None of the above.
What component of a Web page permits the displaying of multiple
documents on the page?
a) Toolbar
b) Cascade
c) Frame
d) Border
e) Button
f) None of the above
How should windows be organized?
a) To support user tasks.

b) To support designer tasks.

c) To support the most common user tasks in the most efficient sequence of
steps.
d) To support the most common designer tasks in the most efficient
sequence of steps.
e) It does not matter.
9. The purpose of a primary window is to:
a) Obtain or display supplemental information.
b) Collect infrequently used or needed information.
c) Perform a major interaction.
d) Extend an interaction.
e) Collect Nice-to-know information.
f) Begin an interaction and provide a top-level context for dependent
windows.
g) All of the above.
10. In design, provide large enough windows to do which of the following?
a) Fill up the screen.
b) Present all relevant and expected information for the task.
c) Avoid hiding important information.
d) Hide other windows.
e) Avoid crowding or visual confusion.
f) Minimize the need for scrolling.
g) All of the above.