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menu-driven-interface

A user interface where communication with the computer is done by making sequential selections from displayed menus.

1 chapter across 1 book

The Electronic Cottage (1981)Joseph Deken

Pages 29–39

The chapter explores the evolution of computers from rigid calculators to user-friendly, personalized devices integrated into daily life, emphasizing advances in hardware miniaturization, software usability, and networked communication. It highlights the importance of fail-safe mechanisms and human oversight to mitigate risks associated with increasing computer autonomy, while advocating for human-centered design that adapts technology to user preferences. The text also underscores the growing potential for cooperative interaction between users and programmers, fostering an ethic of active production and demystifying programming through accessible analogies.