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Mode (user interface)
In user interface design, a mode is a state of a system in which user input is interpreted according to a particular set of rules.
Larry Tesler defines mode as "a state of the user interface that lasts for a period of time, is not associated with any particular object, and has no role other than to place an interpretation on operator input." In his book The Humane Interface, Jef Raskin defines modality as:
"An human-machine interface is modal with respect to a given gesture when (1) the current state of the interface is not the user's locus of attention and (2) the interface will execute one among several different responses to the gesture, depending on the system's current state." (Page 42).
Accordingly, an interface is not modal as long as the user is fully aware of its current state. Raskin refers to this as locus of attention (from the Latin word locus, meaning "place" or "location"), also called heedstead in English. Typically, a user is aware of a system state if the state change was purposefully initiated by the user, or if the system gives some strong signals to notify the user of the state change in the place where interaction occurs. If the user's locus of attention changes to a different area, the state of the interface may then represent a mode since the user is no longer aware of it.
Examples of modal interfaces:
A modeless interface does not have states in which different rulesets apply. A modeless interface avoids mode errors – when a user provides input that is interpreted differently than they expect since the mode (and associated ruleset) is not what they expect.
Larry Tesler at PARC devised insights for a modeless word processor from the feedback gathered from a user test with newly-hired Sylvia Adams, where she was asked to ad lib some gestures to correct proofreading marks on the digital text. This test convinced Tesler's manager Bill English of the problems with their previous modal interface.
Modes are problematic because they can result in an error when the user not aware of what mode the interface is in, performs an action that is appropriate in a different mode, and gets an undesired response. A mode error can be startling, disorienting and annoying as the user copes with the violation of their expectations.
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Mode (user interface)
In user interface design, a mode is a state of a system in which user input is interpreted according to a particular set of rules.
Larry Tesler defines mode as "a state of the user interface that lasts for a period of time, is not associated with any particular object, and has no role other than to place an interpretation on operator input." In his book The Humane Interface, Jef Raskin defines modality as:
"An human-machine interface is modal with respect to a given gesture when (1) the current state of the interface is not the user's locus of attention and (2) the interface will execute one among several different responses to the gesture, depending on the system's current state." (Page 42).
Accordingly, an interface is not modal as long as the user is fully aware of its current state. Raskin refers to this as locus of attention (from the Latin word locus, meaning "place" or "location"), also called heedstead in English. Typically, a user is aware of a system state if the state change was purposefully initiated by the user, or if the system gives some strong signals to notify the user of the state change in the place where interaction occurs. If the user's locus of attention changes to a different area, the state of the interface may then represent a mode since the user is no longer aware of it.
Examples of modal interfaces:
A modeless interface does not have states in which different rulesets apply. A modeless interface avoids mode errors – when a user provides input that is interpreted differently than they expect since the mode (and associated ruleset) is not what they expect.
Larry Tesler at PARC devised insights for a modeless word processor from the feedback gathered from a user test with newly-hired Sylvia Adams, where she was asked to ad lib some gestures to correct proofreading marks on the digital text. This test convinced Tesler's manager Bill English of the problems with their previous modal interface.
Modes are problematic because they can result in an error when the user not aware of what mode the interface is in, performs an action that is appropriate in a different mode, and gets an undesired response. A mode error can be startling, disorienting and annoying as the user copes with the violation of their expectations.