Intractive media Interactive media | Page 10

Intractivity And control

Interactivity occurs when the computer accepts (or requires) user input and something changes as a result. Basic examples include when the user clicks a button and the computer shows a different screen, opens a new browser, plays a sound, The computer asks for and display users’ names e.t.c.

Some interactive formats allow designers to take control of the user interface to a much greater extent than with HTML alone. Designers can modify the environment by opening new windows, resizing and repositioning windows, hiding browser toolbars, and moving the cursor focus. These functions are ordinarily part of the user’s domain and so are defined by the user. When a page performs these functions on behalf of the user, usability suffers. Users may be disoriented by this new and inconsistent browser behavior, and the modifications may not fit users’ needs.